Avatar...

     Just saw James Cameron's Avatar and I have to say, the film was incredible. I haven't felt such childhood wonderment since I saw Star Wars for the first time. The only real gripe I have about the movie is that the music sounds a bit clichéd at certain parts. Otherwise, the score, like the characters to the effects and everything, is simply amazing. I really cared for the characters. But what stands out most about the movie was the visuals. Cameron enlisted Weta and ILM to bring his dream of Pandora (the alien planet where the film takes place) to life. And they did a fine job. 

     The movie is more about the beautiful vistas of Pandora and its variety of inhabitants more than anything. It's a green film; at the heart of Avatar is a message that everything is linked and we should treat our planet with respect. But there's nothing wrong with that. The filmmakers basically plop you down in this amazing place and say, "Hey, look at all this cool stuff we created." It really is astounding. Everything's so interesting that you hardly notice a story is unfolding because you're too fixated on what's occurring on-screen. When the inevitable showdown between the humans and the native inhabitants of Pandora occurs, your heart is in your throat, hoping the characters you've gone on this amazing journey with make it through unscathed. 

     People are going bat-shit crazy for this film. And there's good reason. I'm not a fan of Titanic, but it was still a good movie. Like Titanic, Avatar may not be your cup of tea, but it is worth your hard-earned money to see in theaters. It's different from most of his films, and that's both good and bad. 

My brother made the best analogy:

Avatar is a combination of Aliens, Princess Mononoke, and Last of the Mohicans (all of which are in my top 10 movie list). 

     Critics and fans are saying this will change movies forever. I don't know if this is necessarily true, but the technology has advanced incredibly. So much so that the line between CG and what's real is becoming more and more blurred. If you're still reading this, stop now and go out and see it. And if you do see it, check it out in 3-D. There's really no other way. Maybe, I'll catch ya there. I'm going at least two more times!