It’s good Avatar has looks…

To be honest, I didn’t see Avatar in 3-D. I tried, I really did, but it was sold out. I think this turned out to be an advantage as I had the opportunity to judge the movie without being overawed by its stunning visual effects. And stunning they are, so much so that I think I can safely say that they are probably the best I’ve ever seen ( it’s creepy how the actor’s alien counterparts really look like them). And that’s really the reason Avatar is a “must see in the theater” movie. Unfortunately, the plot is far less impressive and can be summed up thus: Evil corporate people and blood thirsty space marines want to get their hands on another planet’s natural resources, but in order to do so they must either re-locate or destroy the peaceful natives (the Na’Vi) and only a benevolent science team led by Dr. Grace Augustine (Sigourney Weaver) joined by former Marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) can help the natives avoid the destruction of their world using a technology that allows them to move among the natives in genetically engineered alien bodies. I admit, the sci-fi Avatar idea is fascinating and original, and had the movie actually been more about that, it might’ve risen higher than it does. Instead, Avatar ends up playing out as a heavy handed “anti-Thanksgiving” pageant with strong environmentalist overtones (it actually reminded me a lot of the 1992 animated film FernGully….yes FernGully). While the majority of the acting is good, most of the characters don’t achieve any real depth - like the character of Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang) who is laughably cliché as the stereotypical evil military man complete with Texas style drill sergeant accent. And Giovanni Ribisi’s portrayal of the ruthless corporate executive in charge of the space mining operation, Parker Selfridge, is something out of an episode of Captain Planet. Still, in spite of all its hang-ups, Avatar delivers an action packed feast for the senses. Three stars for three hundred million dollars well spent.