Avatar (2009)

**

Everyone is raving about how great this film is and frankly, I don't see it...

I'm not saying it is bad.  I just don't think it is as great as everyone is making it out to be.  Yes, the effects are the best I have ever seen.  Yes, the film looked beautiful.  But I thought the story lagged.  I was very bored for the first hour and a half.  The film did pick up after that however.  There were some good action sequences that were quite thrilling.

A lot of people are talking about how these effects are going to change the way films are made.  I disagree.  There wasn't anything in the film that was that much different than films like "Lord of the Rings" or "King Kong".  The effects in "Avatar" are better than those films, but not so much that I would say it changes the face of film making.  

The acting was OK in "Avatar.  The only person that really stood out to me was Zoe Saldana as the lead female alien being.  She did a very good job and the viewer gets easily attached to her.

"Avatar" should be viewed for its beauty and special effects.  While the story isn't as great as the effects are, people will still enjoy the film. 

One other thing...  I hated the 3D.  I didn't think there was anything amazing about it.  The 3D shows at Disneyland are much better.  The glasses gave me a head ache and it was very annoying in a film like this.  In a special effects extravaganza of a film, I want to look at the beautiful backgrounds and what not.  When in 3D, I am forced to look at what is in the foreground.  3D needs to be retired soon.  It is an awful gimmick that aids kids of the A.D.D. generation, but adds nothing to the film itself.

B-  I recommend it.