Before I start, I’d like to caveat my review by stating that I never wanted to watch Avatar. I refused to see it in 3D despite being told it was well worth it, particularly at the IMAX, and I let the hype pass me by quite happily. My reasoning for giving it such a wide berth was simple – I don’t like being told I’m going to love a film simply because it cost $50gazillion and it’s got blue cats in. It takes more than blue cats to get me interested, thanks very much James Cameron. Put your chequebook away and be off.
But then Steve bought it on Blu-ray. And then there came a day when we had watched all the DVDs and Blu-rays and the only one on the shelves, glaring back at us with big yellowy eyes, was Avatar. And I crumbled, and we watched it, and… I enjoyed it. I’m well aware that this is somewhat shameful, but I actually liked it so much that we watched it again the day after. And I cried both times (when the big blue cat lady saves the one that’s sometimes a blue cat but when he’s not he’s a marine).
Yes, there might be similarities between Avatar and Princess Mononoke, and Pocahontas, and even Jurassic Park. There are similarities in heaps of films, and it’s not necessarily a bad thing, and I don’t think that warrants giving Avatar a slating. Not just because it’s heavily inspired by a host of other fantastic films, surely?
And yes, it’s big and huge and over the top and schmaltzy and all the things Titanic was too. But that’s what James Cameron does. I bet he also drives a massive car. And I’m almost certain it’s probably not to compensate for anything else.
Rating: 
