AVATAR: the 'highest grossing film of our time.'

James Cameron has done it again with his all new fantasy blockbuster film, Avatar. Avatar has landed the ‘world’s highest grossing film ever’ surpassing Cameron’s epic romance Titanic.

Avatar, set in the year 2154, is about a paraplegic ex-Marine, Jake Sully, who’s offered the opportunity to continue his late brother’s legacy on a secret mission to infiltrate the Na’vi—the natives of the world Pandora, where precious minerals are found and will sell at ridiculous amounts. In order to survive the toxic air and dangerous inhabitants of Pandora, Jake must transform into one of the Na’vi and work undercover amongst them. Jake learns the ways of the Na’vi—how to hunt, fight, speak their language, and live as one of them. He is soon accepted as part of the Omaticaya tribe and by this time has grown especially close to Neytiri—the Omaticaya who found him and helped him train. However things start to go wrong with the mission to somehow move the Na’vi away from where the minerals are, as Jake realizes that the area where the minerals are is just too important to the Omaticaya and they will not budge. Jake faces a split between sides as he is pulled to the place he loves and feels at home—with the Omaticaya—and the mission he is doing. In the end, he chooses to help protect and fight for the Omaticaya as a war is started between the Americans and all the tribes of the Na’vi.

The over 9 foot tall Na’vi were interesting characters to watch. I enjoyed the way they moved, and especially the way they connected with things like their “horses” by using their tails. It was such a different and original idea that it really was unique to watch. I also really enjoyed the amazing colour used in the film’s scenery, characters, creatures, and everything else in the amazing world of Pandora. Pandora gave the feel of this perfect place where everyone would want to live and be. The close-knit community within it was similar to the community on the ship, however the only thing which was very different was:

1. they were blue people
2. they followed a very cosmic humanist type of religion which was strangely entrancing

The war near the end of the film is epic and really quite amazing. The different tribes of the Na’vi all come together to fight against the humans, and though many of the Na’vi die, in the end the natives win against the powers of the sadistic Colonel Miles Quaritch. However, will the peace last? Find out when the Avatar sequel is released.

Seeing Avatar at the cinema in 3-D, I have to say it was one of the most incredible experiences I’ve been through when watching a film. When I first heard about Avatar, I assumed it was just another guy fantasy film, and I wasn’t really bothered about going to see it. However, I went along with my family to watch it, and I’m so glad I did. Trust me girls—this is a great movie to watch for you too (and it even has romance!) I thoroughly enjoyed it, and if you get the chance, definitely watch it. It comes out on DVD in July 2010.

Rated PG-13 for intense battle scenes, language, sensuality, and warfare, Avatar’s running time is 162 minutes long which translates to 2 hours and 42 minutes. And although this seems like a very long film, there is never a dull or boring moment in this film. The film has a perfect mix of action, sci-fi, comedy, romance, and is definitely branded as a must see.