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 James Cameron is known for his epic movies, "Titanic" being the most spectacular to date. He also puts directors like Micheal Bay to shame because his films aren't big, dumb action flicks that take source material that could make an amazing movie and then shred it to pieces (see the "Transformers" films and you'll see what I mean). His new film, "Avatar", seems to go beyond everything he's done to this point, however. The scale is bigger than anything that anyone has done before, more money has gone into the film than all of his others combined and he's literally created new technology in order to create this 10 year vision of the future. Has it worked?

 Short answer, yes. Long answer, dear God yes! I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say that this is a new step in film making. The CGI is only part of this film despite the fact that a good 90% of it is animated. The story, whilst a lot of people have said it's too simple, is surprisingly reflective on human history and current affairs. The idea that the militaries of the world are being bought out by companies as hired guns isn't that different from how the American Army seems to be in the pocket of Oil Companies (if you beleive that). Also, the Na'vi, that's the native race of Pandora, the planet that the humans are trying to mine, are having their land taken from them for the profit, not too dissimilar from the careful removal of the American Indians from their homes. 

 Then there's the more personal story of ex-marine and wheelchair bound Jake Sully, the brother of a scientist who was  part of the "Avatar Project". The aim of the project is to create living bodies out of both human and Na'vi DNA and then use technology to allow a human to conciously control that body. For Sully, the idea that this project can be used to bring peace or as a weapon is irrelevant. For him, it's all about being given a new life. However, the project suffers a hitch when Sully is captured by the Na'Vi who decide that he is worthy enough to be taught to respect their way of life. Over a 3 month span, he falls in love with their life and also one of their own; Neytiri. Their story is filled with every emotion possible and it is what makes this so different form most Sci-Fi films. The conclusion leads to Sully having to choose between his own race and life he has come to see as the truth.

 Now I can go back to the animation because this is this films strongest assesst. Don't ask me how, but Cameron has outdone previous masters of CG animation such as Pixar or Industrial Light and Magic. Every face is as expressive as a real one, every bit of light is stunning to watch, all the movement is not only accurate, but expressive. This is why it stands out. Sure, the enviroments are massive and awe inspiring, but the little details are what make the visuals untouchable. The 3D is another triumph and really does add to the experience. Most 3D films are gimmicks, in the end, but this is not the case here. Cameron should be proud that he has created an entire world that looks and feels alive.

 Now, I know that I've already claimed that "District 9" was the best film of this year, but that was because I didn't think that "Avatar" would, or could, live up to the hype. I was wrong. If you love films, no matter which genre you prefer, you owe it to yourself to see this in 3D. It may cost a bit more, but you'll forget that once it starts and you become immersed into the world.