I know it's been a while since I've last posted. But I figure this would be the best time to post a new review.
Yesterday I went and saw Avatar for a second time, having been duly impressed the first time, I'm still impressed. Avatar stars Sam Worthington as marine corporal Jake Sully who we meet as soon as he gets out of cry-sleep after a 5 year journey to the world of Pandora. He's at Pandora because he is taking part in a program which allows humans to control specially grown "avatars." The avatars are grown from human and Na'vi DNA. The Na'vi are the humanoid natives of Pandora.
We learn that humans are on Pandora because Pandora has a plentiful supply of Unobtainium, which is apparently key to energy production back on Earth. The corporation mining the unobtainium has contracted the Marine Corps, under the command of Colonel Quaritch. Jake Sully is there to infiltrate the Na'vi village and learn their ways so he can negotiate their relocation. But he begins to have a change of heart as he spends more time with the Na'vi and the princess Neytiri, played by Zoe Saldana.
Okay, the story is basically Dances with Wolves in space, but that's not a bad thing, as the story is still good. James Cameron really isn't one for original stories, but what he does do is present the story in a different way, and he does so spectacularly with Avatar. The world of Pandora looks and feels like a real place even though it's all CGI, it's extremely impressive. The Na'vi themselves are really incredible, they look incredibly real up-close. Of course, all the visual effects in the world won't mean a thing if the performances of the actors weren't up to snuff, and they really are here. Sam Worthington as a paraplegic marine-turned Na'vi, really steps up to the plate and brings a strong and fearless presence as Jake Sully. Zoe Saldana is impressive as Neytiri, as she presents Neytiri as a strong-willed, yet vulnerable Na'vi princess. Stephen Lang as Colonel Quaritch is brilliant. While the colonel is basically a cliche as the "evil" military leader, Stephen Lang really brings a menace to the character. Giovanni Ribisi plays the scum-bag head of the corporation. He does it very well, even though the character is a carbon-copy of Paul Reiser's character in James Cameron's own Aliens.
When it comes to movies like Avatar, one of the most important things you need is music, and James Horner's rousing score is second to none. It really helps engage the viewer in the events on the screen and the battle sequences are truly epic.
One of the things that I should mention is that I saw this film in 3-D. While the 3-D thing is a gimmick in most movies, in Avatar, it brings a whole new level of immersion to the film. It literally adds depth to the film, and it really helps pull you in to the movie. There are certain sequences that will have you on the edge of your seat, literally.
I should note, that during the Golden Globe awards on Jan. 18, Avatar won two awards, one for Best Drama and one for Best Director. I can tell you now, that after having seen the film twice, it really deserves those awards. Avatar is an experience that should be seen in theaters, even if it isn't in 3-d, although the 3-d adds something to the film. Sure the story isn't original, but that doesn't hurt the film in any way. I give James Cameron's Avatar a solid 10/10. It's the best film I've seen last year, and one of the best films of the decade.
