theoldwolf

Let's cut to the chase:

. If my rating system had 11 stars, this film would get the extra one.

I read no reviews for this film, went not to RottenTomatoes, sought no input from friends, as I wanted to have the experience untainted. And now that I've seen it, I know a few things.

I want to learn Na'avi. Dr. Paul Frommer, the creator of the language, has said he's finalizing the first Na'avi manual for submission to Fox. I want it. Now. He has also, said he hopes that there will be prequel and sequel movies, so that he'll have to develop more language. With all my heart, I pray that he's right.
What's right about this movie: Everything
What's wrong about this movie: Nothing
See it in 3D? Yes, oh holy Mogg, yes... YES!

Now this is just one man's humble opinion. I know for a fact that there are going to be reviewers out there who don't like the film, notably my own hometown paper's Jeff Vice¹, who pans just about everything I've ever enjoyed. At least he's a good bellwether for me... if he says turn right, I turn left. There will be people who find flaws in the film, on this or that creative or literary or artistic or technological merit. Screw'em.

There is no CGI about this film. They must have found a class-M moon around a gas giant somewhere, populated by the most amazing people. It's all real. You will believe.

The flyers. The Mechas. The creatures. The Na'avi. The effects. Oh, my blessed Mogg, let me depart in peace now. No, wait. I want to see more movies like this...

People are going to whinge about the heavy-handed social message, just like they did with "Dances with Wolves." Screw'em. The message is neither heavy-handed nor inappropriate.

People are going to whinge about this being a ripoff of Fern Gully with it's environmental slap upside the head. Screw'em. This movie works for me on all levels.

And these aren't the only themes worth discussing, either. The bad guys are convincingly bad, their acting convincingly good. But are most of the antagonists evil? I'll let you decide.

The Na'avi are complex, and the film - at 2.5 hours - is long enough to allow for some good character development. Not as much as I would have liked, but enough so it was more than just another alien movie.

By the silken thighs of Mogg's sister, I'd live among these people. I'd volunteer. Oh yes, I would.

Overall Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

¹When I wrote this review, I had a brainfreeze and mistakenly mentioned Chris Hicks, whose reviews I actually found balanced and accurate - huge apologies, Mr. Hicks!