Avatar Is More Than Worth Seeing

Avatar is without doubt the most anticipated movie of the year. The buzz on it has been building for literally years. As such, it has been setup to miss expectations, not exceed them.

Yet exceed them it does...at least visually. Not only is this a leveling-up for CGI, it also is one for 3D. Everything in this movie works. Not just the explosions and the fight scenes... the smaller, simpler and far more difficult to achieve moments are there as well.

The best example, in my opinion, is the video log kept by Jake. The visual effects in these shots are completely accepted by the audience. And isn't that the ultimate in visual effects, when the audience doesn't even realize that is what they are seeing?

Your brain accepts everything in this film. The most damning thing I have heard about the look of Avatar is some people complaining that everything is too bright, too colorful, too distinct. Personally, as someone who just recently went through his first fall leaf season in the Appalachian Mountains, I think these people are a little too unaware of just how bright and colorful our own planet is. I find it completely acceptable that there is the potential for these hues on Pandora. And since the people saying this are a vocal but definite minority, I say that it works.

Yes, there are some obvious character arcs. Some archetypes. The story is rather predictable. And the hard science is lacking. But I don't need to hear the details of how they combined the DNA to create the avatars. That isn't the story here.

The story is about one man, with everything to lose, choosing to do the right thing. And yes, we have seen it before. We have even seen it with the "going native" angle built in. Often enough that we can point to both successes and failures. Every time I hear someone groan about Dances With Wolves In Space I want to counter with Apocalypse Now.

Again, in my opinion, the story works. I don't need all the gadgets explained. And if the cryo-sleep angle and the exoskeletons and the look of the ships and the strong female characters all want to make you say this guy is ripping off Aliens, remember that this guy directed Aliens. So, who is he ripping off? Himself?

Is Avatar subtle? No. Was Titanic? Was Terminator? James Cameron doesn't do subtle, he does science fiction adventure and occasionally throws in a little romance or gets obsessed with deep sea diving.

And you know what? I'm alright with that.

Avatar will wow your senses and make you cheer and boo at all the right times and for all the familiar reasons. It also will hit you with an environmental message and a message about trusting too much in profit-driven entities and powerful corporations. Again, familiar themes from this director.

Go see Avatar. See it in 3D, on a huge screen. In IMAX, if you can. It is one of those movies that really should be seen that way. And that, as much as anything, is what will make Hollywood love Jim Cameron all over again. Because there is drama and subtlety aplenty on HBO, Showtime and even the networks. But Avatar is meant to be seen in a theater.

So go see it there.