Avatar

Just a quick post while I've got a moment. We went to see Avatar this morning - the 3D version. I have two main impressions:

1. 3D technology has come a LONG way since the last 3D catastrophe that I went to see a couple of years ago. My Mrs had wanted to see some documentary about under sea life at the IMAX... it was so hard for me to focus on the images on the screen that I came out of that one with a screamer of a headache.

Avatar is in something called "Real 3D". You still have to wear the glasses, but the experience is entirely different. After the first few minutes I got over the weirdness and began to enjoy it. I actually flinched a couple of times, and not because I was startled. My mind actually thought some piece of dust or ember floating around was going to touch my face. Pretty cool.

2. You've probably heard that there's an not so subtle sub-text to the movie. The military, corporations, most soldiers, and the government are all evil. Scientists, soldiers damaged too much to fight anymore, and natives are idyllically perfect. In other words, most of the characters were two dimensional - regardless of the three dimensional format.

Its really hard to miss the message, but for me it was pretty easy to dismiss. I had heard from someone that Avatar was like Dances With Wolves on another planet, and that pretty much pegs it. I loved that movie too, and had no problems recognizing the subtext.

That aside, it was a really enjoyable movie. Fast paced, and beautifully shot, with not too much storyline to get in the way. You'll want to cheer for the good guys and boo the bad guys. We gave it two thumbs up!

You'll have to make your own mind up about "supporting liberal propaganda" and "giving your cash to James Cameron" and whatnot. I'll not begrudge you your decision either way. All I can tell you is the movie was entertaining, and I would recommend it for that purpose without hesitation.