Okay..so I know this is a game site but after reading about the game I was obviously not going to play it but it did compel me to do what the game was supposed to do..make people watch the movie. And I did with a bunch of friends in 3d. My suggestion is that if you are going to watch this movie, which I am sure you will one way or the other(by choice or get pulled by friends to watch it, like me) then do it in 3d. It is the way this movie is meant to be watched.
 
So the review according to me should be divided into the 2 catgories, story and visuals.
 
STORY
 
Nothing that you dont know by now. Humans go to an alien planet in hopes of plundering a substance called "Unobtinaium"..incredibly unoriginal name. They send a crippled human as an avatar to learn about the native people. Human falls in love. Rest is history. 
 
Very unoriginal and uncompelling.
 
Rating 2/5
 
 
VISUALS
 
Now this is where the movie really shines. I have not seen this level of detail in any movie that I ahve seen so far. Sure some would say that transformers had great visuals. But in that movie, the transformation process was so quick that it was difficult to appreciate the level of detail in actuality.
 
But this movie really shines in that department. The colours really pop of the screen especially if you are watching it in 3d. The faces look really well animated and the blend of actual human faces and CG faces looks incredible. You wont believe that this is actually animation. I dont know how they did it but it all looks natural. In most CG movies, the movement looks like it should but somehow seems unnatural. Its not the case here. Animation and movement is fluid. And some sequences will totally blow you away.
 
Rating 5/5.
 
Watch this movie at least once.

So it's basically porn for CG fanatics?

I don't really expect an original story from it. I expect the epic action sequences that are bound to flow from it, as well as the sweet CG.

You know, if there was EVER a movie to see in 3D, this is it. I mean it.  Don't see this movie in 2D if 3D is an option.  SERIOUSLY. 
 
It's hard to explain how well the jungles of Pandora pull you in, but you'll be swatting bugs out of your face in no time.  You feel like you're there.
 
Oh, and I don't care what you guys think, I would BONE Neytiri until she was raw son.  I'd mess that UP with a side of Rodriquez.  Maybe some Weaver.
 
Awesome movie, though.

" So it's basically porn for CG fanatics? "

It's top 3 films I've seen all year. Go and see it.

I am about to go see in soon. Imax 3d! Can't wait.

its Dancing with Wolves in space, go watch it, I just did with the Ubisoft team.

It's a simple story that has  been used before many times. Does that mean the story in the movie is bad? I feel reviewers and skeptics are not differentiating the two.

There's a term used in Hollywood(and where I am, Vancouver aka Hollywood lite) called Execution Dependant.  Essentially what that means is that the films story is familiar and well worn, so the only chance it has of success is all in the execution.  Is it funny?  Are the characters entertaining?  Is the world new and interesting?
 
Though the characters aren't quite Star Trek levels of entertaining, they are great, the world and the entertainment is SO OVERWHELMING AWESOME, this movie cannot be missed.  Cameron showed something like Transformers 2 how to Execute a really damn good blockbuster crowd pleaser.

I am sure this is an unoriginal film in the story department but it looks very entertaining. I look forward to seeing it in IMAX on Sunday.

I just got back from seeing it about an hour ago and it's definitely rivaling Star Trek as the best movie I've seen this year.  As stated earlier in the comments here, the story is very unoriginal, but I have to disagree with the blog post saying that it's not compelling.  It really is, at least for me.   The narrative is gripping because it's so familiar.  Some of the characters are just a bit one-dimensional, but hey, this is (for the most part) and action movie.  
 
Pandora is an incredible world, and the forests are lush and vibrant.  The lifeforms are something to behold.

Dances with Smurfs.
 
I haven't seen it yet, I just thought that was funny.

I'll see this when it comes out on DVD/HBO.  I'm worried about the length (being almost 3 hours), coupled with a "been there..." story.  I don't think it will hold my attention the entire time, or for more than one viewing.  But it's been getting some glowing reviews thus far, some critics only turned off due to the ridiculous hype machine that was running rampant months ago.  We'll see.

You can have the most unique and original story ever created. Doesn't mean shit if it isn't executed well. This movie in my opinion was fantastic. Best I've seen all year.

I thought it was alright, I wouldnt rave about it though.

I do think there's something to be said for instilling a true sense of imagination, wonderment, and awe in a movie. and I think Avatar did that in spades, despite the fact that Ferngully is almost the exact same movie. Saw it in IMAX 3D, and the visuals are... addicting. Pandora is an unbelievably attractive place. Strongly recommend seeing it. The last hour will knock your socks off.
 
And yeah, the plot was mostly predictable and mostly formulaic. Like I said, if you've seen Ferngully, if you've seen this movie. But still, see Avatar.

 OH!

I almost forgot to mention, the best scene in this movie was Quaritch jumping into a mech suit with a flaming arm, and then jumping down onto the ground while the super dragon air craft crashes down into a flaming wreck behind him. Then that shot of his face. To quote Aliens "ABSOLUTELY BAD ASS!" Apong would approve.
 
It's both the most absurd moment in the movie and the most get off your seat and cheer for hours inspired moment.  I only wish I could pull off something even remotely as bad ass in my life.

Saw it in IMAX 3D myself a few hours ago and it's definitely the best film of the year surpassing District 9. Compelling characters and an incredibly artistic and vibrant world brought to life with the best CGI in the biz. James Cameron still rocks.
 
Oh and Michelle Rodriguez's boobs were great too.

How can you say the storys uninspired and unoriginal. What other movie has a paralyzed ex-marine merged his mind into the body of a alien race to infiltrate the tribe, learn their way of life and to be accepted into their tribe with a love story at the same time. Noone has done it, the story is getting totally undersold, JC takes something so mind bending crazy and make it feel real. I loved the story and it was a total bonus as I wasnt expecting anything special in that department. BEST MOVIE EVER if he doesnt get best director/movie for this epic the Oscars mean nothing anymore, saw it in 2D going to 3D tonight.

"Movie was utterly stupid but thoroughly entertaining throughout...  with very pretty unmatched visuals (especially in imax 3D)... I really do have to wonder though how the film will be remembered when the rest of the CG world catches up with this standard...because the story was absolute rubbish... and all that stuff with the semi-animal hairtail rape weirded me the fuck out. "

"How can you say the storys uninspired and unoriginal. What other movie has a paralyzed ex-marine merged his mind into the body of a alien race to infiltrate the tribe, learn their way of life and to be accepted into their tribe with a love story at the same time. Noone has done it, the story is getting totally undersold, JC takes something so mind bending crazy and make it feel real. I loved the story and it was a total bonus as I wasnt expecting anything special in that department. BEST MOVIE EVER if he doesnt get best director/movie for this epic the Oscars mean nothing anymore, saw it in 2D going to 3D tonight. "

I'm a little perplexed by the way people are complaining about the story.  Not the story complaints themselves...
 
If you have room in your mind to enjoy Dances With Wolves, The Last Samurai, The New World, Fern Gully, or Pocahontas, you have room to enjoy Avatar.

Seriously.  This film is Edgar Rice Bourroughs, it's John Carter of Mars!
 
Are people just to young to know what this movie is being influenced by?  It's pulp science fiction people!  The story is by defintion not going to blow your mind!  It's not trying to!

"@chstupid:  Yes it  sucked ass. I must have missed the part when kevin costner spirit got transfered to an Native American. Come on dude try harder.  And noones explaining why the story was rubbish, fuck the internet is so messed up hating on shit for no reason. "

" @chstupid: Dude i went for the SFX, the story was a bonus. Dances with wolves sucked ass THIS IS FACT. "

@Number1 said:

" @chstupid: Dude i went for the SFX, the story was a bonus. Dances with wolves sucked ass THIS IS FACT. "

People say the story of this is cliche and like Dances With Wolves. Does that make Dances With Wolves bad or cliche? Or is it that every other film released this year didn't have any cliches at all and I didn't realise.

" @chstupid: Dude i went for the SFX, the story was a bonus. Dances with wolves sucked ass THIS IS FACT. "

"Seriously.  This film is Edgar Rice Bourroughs, it's John Carter of Mars!  Are people just to young to know what this movie is being influenced by?  It's pulp science fiction people!  The story is by defintion not going to blow your mind!  It's not trying to! "

just watched the movie, it was fucking sweet, my personal movie of the year, the CG was fucking epic, can't wait to watch this in 3D and IMAX.

Just saw it again in 3D. BEST MOVIE EVER = FACT.
 
@chstupid:  If im paying for a movie im not going for story im going for SFX  and the wow factor, ill read a book if I care about story, but im more interested in Non-Fiction not made up fairy tales. But Avatar has an amazing story, taking the classic Pochahontos and setting it on an alien planet, plus 3D  vs 2d is like night and day saw it in 2D then 3D the next day and ill see it atleast once more in 3D
 
@MAN_FLANNEL: Im not the one who photoshoped a Santa hat on my avatar.

half naked blue cat chicks? 5 stars!

"Just saw it again in 3D. BEST MOVIE EVER = FACT.
 

@chstupid:

  If im paying for a movie im not going for story im going for SFX  and the wow factor, ill read a book if I care about story, but im more interested in Non-Fiction not made up fairy tales. But Avatar has an amazing story, taking the classic Pochahontos and setting it on an alien planet, plus 3D  vs 2d is like night and day saw it in 2D then 3D the next day and ill see it atleast once more in 3D
 
@MAN_FLANNEL: Im not the one who photoshoped a Santa hat on my avatar. "

   Amazing story my ass. When did copying turn in to storytelling. The whole fucking thing was ripped of other movies even the "original" sci-fi elements were stolen from movies like the Matrix.  
I was never compelled by it even with the impressive CG. It was 3 fucking hours long of weird shit, like the weird usb port hair thing and when he basically raped that dragon. Movie are about telling stories not about SFX that why we still watch older movies that have no SFX.  
Avatar is overrated but this is my opinion which btw are not FACTS     
 
PS: Where is your christmas s pirit    

" just watched the movie, it was fucking sweet, my personal movie of the year, the CG was fucking epic, can't wait to watch this in 3D and IMAX. "

This movie was lame.  I don't understand why people are going crazy over it. It was so pretentious and overwrought.. The whole thing was just too much.

"This movie was lame.  I don't understand why people are going crazy over it. It was so pretentious and overwrought.. The whole thing was just too much. "

" @AngeTheDude said:

"This movie was lame.  I don't understand why people are going crazy over it. It was so pretentious and overwrought.. The whole thing was just too much. "

This "

" @chstupid said:

" @AngeTheDude said:

"This movie was lame.  I don't understand why people are going crazy over it. It was so pretentious and overwrought.. The whole thing was just too much. "

This "

im pretty sure neither of you seen it and are probably just reading reviews and spoilers and pretending like you did.  "

This movie was fucking awesome. The CG was great and the 3D totally made me feel immersed in the world. The visual effects were so amazing that I think it enhanced the overall story. I love this type of plot, The Last Samurai is one of my favorite movies (haven't seen Dances With Wolves, but I plan to now). I can't wait until the majority of movies are in 3D or when we have IMAX quality 3D in our home. The 3D was done so well and wasn't gimmicky at all, you felt like you were there. I think people will look back and say this movie started the 3D era.

" @TwoOneFive said:

" @chstupid said:

" @AngeTheDude said:

"This movie was lame.  I don't understand why people are going crazy over it. It was so pretentious and overwrought.. The whole thing was just too much. "

This "

im pretty sure neither of you seen it and are probably just reading reviews and spoilers and pretending like you did.  "

This "