"Avatar" is an epic adventure sure to leave you breathless and in awe

by Ken San Nicolas

Director: James Cameron

Time: 3 hours (yeah, think "Titanic")

Genre: Adventure

"Avatar" is critically-acclaimed director James Cameron's latest masterpiece – one that was 12 years in the making. They say that the more you put into a project, the better your final product will be and that saying holds true for "Avatar," as it is simply the most technically perfect film of all time. Cameron has set the bar for technical excellence very high and his movie seems light years ahead of most of the competition. From its dazzling sets and computer generated environments, to it's awe-inspiring facial features on the alien humanoids known as the Na'vi, to the jaw-dropping features of the creative wildlife that make up the planet of Pandora, Cameron has spared no detail as "Avatar" is rich with life, color and sound.

"Avatar" is the story of Jake Sully, a former marine who was paralyzed. He is contracted to do work on the planet of Pandora, a rich landscape full of new species and an alien humanoid species known as the Na'vi. The human corporation on Pandora is there to mine the element "unobtanium," a very valuable resource which as the name alludes, just so happens to rest right below the Na'vi main city. Sully's job is to infiltrate the race via his ‘Avatar,' a replica of Na'vi which will share a telepathic bond with Sully. Sully is successful in infiltrating the culture but as he learns more and more of this new people, he begins to question where his alliances lie, and that, is the story of "Avatar."

It is said that James Cameron had the initial plot designs and items for "Avatar" in his head before he directed the record-breaking "Titanic," but at the time, the film technology was not up to par with what he had in mind. To see that he stuck with an idea for 10+ years shows the resolve that Cameron has. And with a track record like Cameron's, who can tell him otherwise? In case you have lived under a rock since 1980, James Cameron is responsible for ground breaking films like "Aliens," the "Terminator" and its sequel, and of course, the "Titanic." Each of those film set some kind of record precedence during its time, with "Titanic" still holding the box office record for greatest revenue generated.

"Avatar," like most of Cameron's creations, is made on an incredible budget. Guesses are in the range of between $300 to $400 million dollars. Aside from the horrible "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," that is more than any movie has grossed in the box office this year! Imagine that, it cost more to make this movie than most movies expect to make in revenue! That is simply astonishing and quite a burden to hold on the shoulders of Cameron. But Cameron has definitely stepped up to the plate in a big way.

For the intense graphics work required for Pandora's environment and characters, Cameron hired Peter Jackson's effects studio Weta Digital as well as incorporate his own Reality Camera System for the 3D elements of the movie. Thankfully, "Avatar" does not go overboard with cheesy 3D elements like pieces of metal flying through the screen. Instead, the depth perception of characters and the environment is incredibly acute, and while I usually complain that 3D movies are uncomfortable to watch, "Avatar" was very easy on the eyes. The action is clear and detailed, not three metal pieces clanging and exploding ala "Transformers: RoTF."

But looks aren't the only thing that "Avatar" has going for it. The acting is top-notch. Sully is played by Sam Worthington, a veteran of "Terminator: Salvation." Worthington brings a mischievously boyish feel to his character and his a good choice for the part. Giovanni Ribisi is fantastic as the head honcho of the mining corporation. But the best acting comes from Sigourney Weaver, who is simply iconic in her role as head botany researcher. I cannot pinpoint exactly what it is about her, maybe it's her intimidating presence physically, but Sigourney Weaver demands attention every time she is on screen. A very strong supporting actor.

In my opinion, there are 3 main things that make a film great. They are: a solid screenplay, solid acting, solid direction/production. "Avatar" gets the top marks in all but the first. The plot for the film plays like an allusion to the initial clashes between the Native American Indians and the early settlers in the New Frontier. The story is played out and even with all the special effects and incredible graphics, the theme is still about the lines of tolerance in humanity. Which, if this were a movie about Custer and Crazy Horse, I would think would be acceptable. But there is something that the script lacks which doesn't cause me to empathize with the Na'vi as much as I feel as Cameron thinks I should. I'm not saying that the script isn't good. It is. It's just a little too common and perhaps Cameron spent so much focus on the outside that he failed to clean up some of the screenplay. In my opinion the story could have used scenes that developed its supporting cast a little better. "District 9," by Neil Blomkamp is essentially the same movie as "Avatar." – aliens mistreated by humans, a human infiltrates the aliens and ends up defending that species. However "District 9" does it better and I can't tell you exactly why.

Regardless, "Avatar" is still a brilliant story and is overall, technically superior to any film you have ever seen – this is a fact. There has never been a movie with this type of detail and imagery and James Cameron is changing the way movies are going to be made. This movie is groundbreaking, and even if they do not break even at the box office, Cameron and crew should be held in high praise for their risky and innovative approach to totally new storytelling and ideas.

5 out of 5 stars.