For my money, the unidimensionality of a few particular characters and their got-it-off-the-rack dialog, and the handful of time where the main characters came right out and said how you were supposed to feel about a few of the stronger emotional beats, were the weak links, rather than spine of the story.

But, yeah, I was pretty impressed.

As you note, an apt comparison. Two big budget movies. Two “game-changers.” Two respected sci-fi-action directors, also noted egomaniacs, also writing the scripts themsleves. Two plots about aboriginal species being taken over by an industrious military with rogue outsiders intervening. Two scenes with Big Monsters And Then Bigger Monsters. Two “vehicular journeys through alien worlds.” Two mystic magical worldviews given a scientific workover.

Actually, that list just keeps on going.

At present, Avatar is the far better film. But again, see earlier note: bucket, hole.

– c.

But I liked it quite a bit more than I expected. I loved it, really — hell, a three-hour movie should drag. No drag. No slowdown. I was along for the ride from word one. And the 3D is really quite something.

– c.

I’m left wondering if Avatar‘s competency is going to come off as something grander because of my lowered expectations. I really don’t know.

That bucket-with-a-hole is a fine analogy. Though I’ve actually come back around to liking Phantom Menace just fine as a sprawling old-fashioned historical epic in space, complete with jokes that bomb and spectacles that drag. So what the hell do I know?

– c.

And he has expensive tastes. -_-

…that joke went no where. Moving right along…

I really want to see this film. Thanks for the review, I think it answered my concerns about it so I know what to expect when I see it.