Avatar (2009)

The first thing I thought when the end credits rolled was, "Damn, I should've seen this in 3-D."

For clarity's sake, I'll include a basic outline of the plot, but for those of you who've seen Dances with Wolves, feel free to skip the below paragraph:

In return for spinal recorrection surgery, paraplegic ex-marine Jake Sully is hired to infiltrate local tribe Na'vi, gain their trust, and gather intel for the mining corporation's own ends, which is to drive off the Na'vi, as their home sits on deposits of a very, very expensive mineral. Jake does so long-distance, by controlling an 'avatar' which is created using human and Na'vi DNA. As he learns their ways and bonds with the tribe, he also tries to find a way to relocate the Na'vi, so that innocent lives won't be lost. The corporation gets tired of waiting and levels their home anyways. Jake sees the immense destruction he more or less caused, and joins forces with the Na'vi before the capitalist pigs humans can do any more damage to the land and their people.
 
The final battle, though intense and, for lack of a better word, awesome-looking, was slightly anti-climactic due to the fact that the final showdown was only between the manic Colonel Quaritch and Jake. I was expecting a lot more from the final battle, since earlier, Jake had prayed to Eywa (the Na'vi's deity) asking for Her help as the humans will be coming in with rocketships a-blazing. Though the animals eventually do fight back (interpreted as divine intervention) and win, I was expecting something much more grandiose, something that is definite proof of a greater power.

The visual effects were really worth the hype. Judge not from the trailer, for it looks like a video game. Pandora is the planet the movie revolves around, and is pretty much the star of the show. From floating-jellyfish tree seeds to hammerhead rhinos, the biology of the planet and its ecosystem is astounding. I'm running the risk of making the movie sound like a nature documentary, but that's what it really felt like. Pandora is another world that is alien to us, but at the same time, we can kinda relate to.

Once you're in the cinema and watching it on the big screen, you'd really be able to appreciate more of the environment and everything else. If you're a CGI buff, do go watch it in 3-D to properly immerse yourself in their world. Unfortunately for me, I watched it in 2-D because I was afraid I'd get nauseous, and after the movie, started kicking myself for not watching it in 3-D.

The actors do a stand-up job, especially Stephen Lang, whose Colonel is as bad-ass as he is ruthless. As I've mentioned earlier, the storyline isn't anything original, but it is riveting enough to hold your attention for two-plus hours, and it does make you connect with the characters and root for the Na'vi. It didn't leave a lasting impression, though, and I left the theatre feeling 'meh'.

7/10. Okay storyline backed by the loveliest backdrop in movie history. Most probably best watched in 3-D.