Dances with... blue aliens?

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Director: James Cameron

Writers: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez, Sigourney Weaver

Running Time: 162 minutes

Rating: PG-13

This epic science fiction drama takes place in the year 2154 and throws us right into an internal moral struggle -- futuristic-style. Think: Dances With Wolves meets Star Wars. Sam Worthington (Jake Sully) and co. are working for an exploration mining corporation on the planet Pandora. This corporation has discovered a sentient species called the Na'vi and is considering destroying their homeland and driving them out in hopes of harvesting the valuable minerals that are found there. The plot takes a twist when Jake Sully, a paraplegic marine prancing around in the body of a Na'vi (I know, cool right?), learns more about this new and fascinating people. The ending may (or may not) surprise you.

This movie has beautiful scenery and CG graphics courtesy of Weta Digital. I still want to see it in 3D (if anyone already has, please post and let me know how you liked it!) The plot flows nicely and even though the running time approaches 3 hours, as is James Cameron's style, it never felt like it dragged on. The screenplay and acting is quite convincing and this was, overall, an entertaining movie even though the premise has been used before and there are very apparent political undertones, which turn many people off when we're dealing with aliens and epic space battles. I recommend this movie, you'll have fun.

CONTENT: A good amount of profanity, epic battle and although the MPAA seems to be more worried about "some smoking," I'd be more worried about half naked aliens/humans running around. This movie probably isn't appropriate for little kids.

Avatar earns 3 out of 4 Popcorn Buckets™