Avatar: Worth The Buzz And Bucks!

A whole new world
A new fantastic point of view
No one to tell us no
Or where to go
Or say we’re only dreaming

Yes, Avatar evokes allusions to Pocahontas, but all I could think of as I left the theater was Aladdin and Jasmine on their magic carpet ride. I felt like a giddy kid again. Aladdin opened up a whole new world to my pint-sized imagination with genies, magical kingdoms and talking parrots. And James Cameron has succeeded in waking the inner child in me; one I actually never knew had fallen asleep.

Like any movie, there are and will always be polarizing viewpoints on Avatar. Was it worth the hundreds of millions of dollars that it took to create the film? Was it worth the years devoted to make it? Is this the true future of film-making? And if so do we want it? I say yes to all of the above. This is history in the making, guys! It is a story we’ve all heard before, but it’s told in such an innovative and cool way that I was glued to my seat at every moment. I didn’t want to blink for fear that I would miss something beautiful or unique.

I avoided reviews and spoilers with the same fervor that I avoid the gym. I didn’t want the hype to build-up so much in my mind that it would detract from actually enjoying the film, and I’m happy I did. My mind was a blank slate with my interest up for grabs.

Avatar focuses on the Na’vi (a mix between gorgeous NBA basketball players, Smurfs and Thundercats) and their world. In the year 2154, humans are exploring Pandora in the hopes of harvesting a very lucrative material that can only be found in a place very dear to the indigenous people. Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) is a paraplegic Marine who takes the place of his brother on an expedition to get in good with the natives, get the unobtanium America needs to get rich and stay rich, and hopefully buy the use of his legs back. Leading the team of researchers is Grace Augustine (Sigourney Weaver), and on the opposing moral side is corporate scum Parker Selfrige, played by Giovanni Ribisi, and Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang), pure military evil. On his mission, Jake meets Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), daughter of the Na’vi Chief and spiritual leader. However, learning about their culture, customs and connection with nature is not an easy one. Of course, he’s that brash but likable guy that can pick up almost anything, but I dare anyone to not get emotionally invested in his journey anyway.

There were a few things I was scared about, but the biggest was the 3-D aspect of the film. Often 3-D is thrown in the mix to thoroughly entertain people with thrills. Things pop out at unexpected times; you jump out of your seat or dig your nails into the arm of the person next to you, and that’s that. You’ve been entertained. Yet, Avatar’s 3-D doesn’t pop out at you as much as it pulls you in. It heightens the viewing experience by adding a level intensity, allowing the world of Pandora to envelope you, instead of becoming a distraction.

Overall, the acting isn’t Oscar-worthy, but it certainly is above the norm, and there’s not a single weak link in the bunch. Greats like Weaver and Ribisi are as strong as ever. My biggest worry, Saldana, was so raw and visceral. I was pleasantly surprised by her portrayal. Lang is that true villain you love to hate, and Worthington has once again proven that this Aussie import needs to be embraced by the US and made a Hollywood staple. Most of all, each performance is honest. The characters are so fully developed, the vision so strong that I can forgive a little bit of lazy writing here and there. And though the plot is predictable, the story knows exactly where that sweet spot is at the core of your heart and hits it hard. The new use of a virtual camera in this CG-environment makes the Na’vi humanoids, animal and plant life all seem real. As writer and director, Cameron has been missing since his last epic Titanic became box office gold, but you can see all the hard work from the last decade right there on the screen.

If you are a Sci-Fi or Fantasy nut like me, you will enjoy the movie for its sheer beauty, grandeur, and the undiscovered places it takes you. If not, my best advice is to just see the film and make your own judgment. If only to experience the state-of-the-art special effects, it is worth the 11 bucks. You may find you see things the same way I do, because in my eyes, Avatar is pure magic.

For additional Poptimal reviews of Avatar check out Avatar: Beauty is in the Eye of 3-D Glasses by Matt DeGroot.