Avatar

 

Having declared himself "The king of the world", James Cameron has now become a creator of worlds. His astonishing epic Avatar takes place on Pandora, a peaceful planet brought to life through cutting-edge CGI and remarkably effective 3D techniques, which is under threat from invading American forces determined to secure its lucrative natural minerals. Their advance is complicated by the burgeoning romance between young recruit Sully (Sam Worthington) and sexy native Neytiri (Zoë Saldana), a relationship unfortunately marked by Cameron's penchant for cheesy dialogue and clunky storytelling. Despite these quibbles, Avatar is a gripping and surprisingly thoughtful adventure, skillfully acted by a strong cast, and its technical achievements are a constant source of wonderment. The film's visuals are simply breathtaking, immersing the viewer in a vividly realised environment, and Cameron's masterful orchestration of the complex battle sequences ensures the action is always coherent and involving. Will Avatar change the face of cinema? Only time will tell, but it certainly sets a new benchmark for blockbuster entertainment.