[Review] Avatar

In a nutshell? This is the one you've been waiting for. Not since "The Dark Knight" has a Hollywood film been poised to take hold of popular culture like this one. Let the haters have at it. History will be kind. The dialogue may be trite at times. The cynic in you may urge you to roll your eyes at the sight of a blue alien or a snarling company man but then you're just going to miss out on the jaw-dropping adventure of the year.

So if you haven't bailed out yet... know this: you need to see this movie. For the first truly soulful performances made since motion capture was invented. For the sweep and the scope. For the small moments and the sublime. For the way Stephen Lang snarls and spits out an order. For the soaring ride of the banshees. For the finale, oh yes for that finale.

In 1978 Warner Brothers proudly predicted "you will believe a man can fly." If I were James Cameron I would proudly proclaim "you will forget Zoe Saldana is blue" for that may be the true accomplishment of the technique and performances that fueled this unique production. "Avatar" takes a little time to suck you in but once you release yourself to it you are there and even if your brain is telling you to marvel at the effects, your heart will beg you to surrender to the story and characters.

The setting is the future. The technology is cutting edge. But make no mistake--this is classical moviemaking of the first order. If David Lean had a virtual camera, "Lawrence of Arabia" might have felt like this.

And "felt" is the operative word. For all his bombastic attitude and man's man love of guns, girls, and gadgets, it's no secret to all that kick-ass Cameron is just a big old softie at heart. "Aliens" worked because Ellen Ripley had to go back into hell not to save herself or humanity as we know it but for the love of a little girl. "Titanic" transcended every simplistic storytelling trope because damn it, you took that journey with Jack and Rose, experienced the first rush of love, and were shattered in how it was torn apart.

In "Avatar" it's the love of a man for a Na'vi and a noble and mysterious people for their land. Big emotions. Big moments. Cameron doesn't paint with a fine brush (ok I'm talking story here clearly and not the artistry on screen). He goes for it and damn it if it didn't leave me with a lump in my throat for much the film. There is so much passion in this work, it's just exhilirating. Take the trip.

Reviewed By Josh Horowitz