Posted by jayray in 
To say that the CGI animation in James Cameron’s epic Avatar was amazing would be an understatement. This was visually the most spectacular movie I’ve seen since Popeye. Ok bad analogy. Mr. Cameron created a world with seamless interaction between live actors and ground-breaking computer generated actors. The CGI and visual effects in Avatar are on a whole new level of awesome. No wonder it took 15 years to get this movie made. The 3D was incredible too, but I could have done without it. It took my eyes a while to adjust so I had a bit of a queasy feeling for the first hour of the movie. Be your own judge on the 3D though. I get queasy reading a book in a moving car or taking out the trash. Regardless, don’t let the fancy pants 3D and special effects fool you. The story is good too. I soon forgot that the freakishly tall blue cat monkeys were not real.
The story revolves around a paraplegic marine named Jake Sully aka “Meals on Wheels” (Sam Worthington). Jake is dispatched to a moon called Pandora where his mission is to negotiate a peaceful arrangement with the native Na’vi that would allow humans to dig for a mineral called Unobtanium. Earth has managed to use up all of its nature resources and this precious metal is just what the doctor ordered to replace the now extinct oil back home. In order to blend in and gather intel for the jackass Colonel Quaritch (Stephen Lang), Jake is linked via the brainpan to a human-Na’vi hybrid. Jake’s Avatar is a living, breathing, walking, talking, bad ass. Avatar Jake quickly meets up with trouble in the form of a dinosaur-like creature called a Titanotheres. He manages to give Dino the slip, but gets separated from his group. Eventually he meets up with a young Na’vi woman named Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), learns the ways of the Na’vi, and decides to become a jedi knight like his father. Oops different movie. Anyway, his relationship with Neytiri and the rest of her people ends up opening Pandora’s box (yep…I actually just said that) and all hell breaks loose.
Yes there is a bit of a political message with this movie. War for oil anyone? But the lesson in Avatar is as much about tolerance and being one with nature as it is about the greedy side of humanity. I love lessons. I want more.
I’ve seen better movies this year. But not many. Look out for Avatar come Mr. Oscar Man Award Time. Besides being a shoe in for a Best Visual Effects win, I would not be surprised to see it give everyone a run for their money in the Best Picture and Best Director catergories. I also wouldn’t be surprised to see a monkey riding a tricycle. I love monkeys. Freakishly tall blue cat monkeys too.
Not only does this review make me want to see Avatar it makes me want to read more of Jay Ray’s review. You sir are a genius. And I’m not just saying that because I am you. So…take that other movie critic people. Also, I like monkeys. A lot. Like a little to much. I might need therapy. Have a great summer!