Avatar -Movie Review

Ok I know my new M.O was to update my blog with book reviews, I've been so touched by the new Avatar movie that I had to write something. James Cameron's new CGI Sci Fi epic just grips you from the first second and keeps you engaged even till after the credits roll. Simply Magnificent.

Plot Synopsis goes as follows: After Jake Sully mourns the loss of his twin brother, he is approached by the company that his brother worked for to take his mantel on some special project on the Planet Pandora. The project involves the use of these bioengineered Avatars made from human DNA and the DNA of the native inhabitants of Pandora called Navi. Now Jake knows nothing about this field of work, his brother was a talented researcher while he was just a marine grunt- now useless because he's in a wheelchair. Nevertheless because he shares the same blood as his twin brother, he's eligible to continue the project and he agrees because it gives him a chance to get his legs back via high priced spinal surgery. As he uses the avatar he's thrust into the world of Pandora with all of its dangers until he's taken in by a Navi Tribe the Omiticuya (i think thats the name ). There he learns their culture and way of life and is soon thrust in between the two races as conflicts and tensions rise.

Now I don't want to give too much spoilers I stuck to what was in the trailer. But theres more here, albeit subtle. The plot isn't all original since ive seen the same themes in Surrogates, District 9, Dancing with wolves , Battle for Terra and others. However the beauty in Avatar lies within the characters, many of the characters were engaging and had great individual stories. Jake lies in the shadow of his brother, and was only good as a marine but now as a cripple he thought he'd lost most of his worth. But the minute he received his new body he was given a new sense of freedom and it is displayed throughout the film, until the end when his mistakes begin the reveal themselves. Then there's the Neyeteri who has so much expectation as the village chief's daughter but finds herself attached to this alien abomination- meaning Jake. And even the secondary characters,Parker is more than the typical company director as he moves from being driven by greed to seeing the inhumane nature of his choices. Then theres Spellman who weaves between supporting enthusiastic colleague, to a petty jealous man, and then finally rises above to a heroic character of his own. And not to mention the Colonel Miles Quaritch- who was an excellent villain- albeit he wasn't very three-dimensional but very entertaining.

Its not the most original film, but the effort on all points, story, visuals, art design, direction,score, sound direction. I mean wow this film was a gem and worth the ten years wait. James Cameron never disappoints and I'm glad he came to the helm in bringing serious CGI animated films in American Cinema and moved away from the typical Pixar film.

5/5 Go see it