I never expected to be saying this, but...

I went to see 'Avatar' yesterday, and I LOVED it!

I'm not a huge fan of crazy creatures and such in Sci Fi movies. Don't get me wrong-I saw 'Lord of the Rings, I love 'Harry potter', and I'm gonna be in line to see 'Alice In Wonderland' soon, but I did NOT think I would connect with full CGI blue characters that had tails and wore loin clothes.
I thought that the animation wouldn't look real-I thought I'd HATE the script cuz...let's face it...I was dying for one of those Heart of the Ocean blue necklaces after I saw 'Titanic' in all my pre-teen glory back in the day, but the dialogue and love story written by James Cameron left something to be desired. I didn't feel emotionally connected with the characters.
But, James Cameron, I have to give you my two thumbs way WAY up for this movie! After the first ten minutes, I had completely forgotten that I was watching a computer animated film-It looked like live action, and even the alien planet of Pandora with all of it glow in the dark foliage and baby jellyfish like floating seeds was incredibly believable. The expressions...movement...heartache-It got to me. Every second of the almost 3 hour movie was important and worth seeing. The 3D way not kitchy, and worked like I've only dreamed of 3D working-You were very much a part of the story.
Here's a short plot summary without spoilers:
When his brother is killed in battle, paraplegic Marine Jake Sully decides to take his place in a mission on the distant world of Pandora. There he learns of greedy corporate figurehead Parker Selfridge's intentions of driving off the native humanoid "Na'vi" in order to mine for the precious material scattered throughout their rich woodland. In exchange for the spinal surgery that will fix his legs, Jake gathers intel for the cooperating military unit spearheaded by gung-ho Colonel Quaritch, while simultaneously attempting to infiltrate the Na'vi people with the use of an "avatar" identity. While Jake begins to bond with the native tribe and quickly falls in love with the beautiful alien Neytiri...what will happen?!
I would say the movie was an Action/Adventure/Fanstasy/Drama. It pulled in classic themes of native people living in symbiosis with the land, and unexpected love seamlessly with a plot line that was one of the first I've been unable to predict in a long time. It took what I knew, and challenged it.
I laughed, I jumped, I bit my nails, and I got teary too.
The ticket cost more since it's in 3D, but if you can go and get to a matinee, or are willing to pay for it-I believe it's worth it. It's a movie you want to see at least once on the big screen, so think twice before saying, "I'll wait till it's on DVD."
I heard mixed reviews from friends before seeing this, but-as a writer and lover of movies-I would put my word behind the movie. If it's not for you, I can respect that....but...FYI...you're WRONG! It was worth EVERY Penny...and if you're wanting to see it, but have nobody to hand you the tissues when you tear up , this Penny would love to see this again and bogard your popcorn! :)

Bravo, James Cameron!! I officially forgive you for offing Leo DiCaprio.