Laura and I went and saw Avatar this weekend. Neither of us really wanted to at first but then when we started asking people about it everyone was telling us how good it was. And to make it even better everyone said that you had to see it in 3D which made each ticket for us almost $13. Finally, Dad convinced us while he was in town to go and see it and he would take care of Jane while we did. I have to admit that Laura and I both were pleasantly surprised. This could be because we went in with lower expectations than usual. (I have found that this is the only way for me to enjoy most movies). We had seen the previews and both told ourselves that it looked like it was going to have a lame plot about these cheesy aliens that lived on some precious material that the evil people would be willing to do anything to get. However, somehow we both liked it. Here is my critique:

First what I didn't like. I thought the overall plot was a little cliche and predictable. For the life of me I can't figure out why these big blockbuster movies that have a budget of millions and millions of dollars can't spend a little more time to figure out a way to end the movie without a mano a mano showdown between the good guy and the bad guy. Don't get me wrong I don't think it was a bad plot and overall it didn't take away from the ultimate movie experience but I am just saying that there was nothing special about the story.

What I liked. Anyone who sees the movie will be very impressed with the overall visual experience. Not only is it 3D but the whole movie is full of huge sweeping scenes that are mind blowing to think about how they filmed them. I have no idea what was real and what was fake throughout the entire movie. The Na'vi (aliens) at times looked so real I am sure that they used actors. The thing that I liked most about it was that it a great job of creating this world of aliens where everything felt foreign (the way they looked, talked, body language, religion, etc) but at the same time it didn't feel ridiculous, over done, or cheesy.

Overall I thought it was a movie worth seeing. (I am not sure if it was worth $26 or not) Now if they could just figure out how to end the movie without the general dude leaping from a flaming plane in a robot thing only to be killed by the hero's girl at the very moment you think the hero is going to die.