AVATAR

RYAN: James Cameron’s long awaited epic sci-fi adventure, “Avatar,” is finally in theaters in 3D, and as far as I’m concerned, it’s the movie of the decade.

CAROLINE: It’s quite a spectacle. I hesitate to call it a movie because it’s really more of an experience.

RYAN: It’s almost like a theme park attraction. As you know, I love the fantasy genre so I was def into this movie. It’s going to do for the kids today what “Star Wars” did in the ’70s.

CAROLINE: The first half hour of the movie is just incredible and mesmerizing. The effects are so amazing and the concept is so cool that you almost can’t believe what you’re watching. It blows away any “Terminator” movie of late.

RYAN: By now we’ve seen several movies in Real D 3D, but this is the first one that for a full two hours and forty minutes keeps you so riveted. The 3D is so unbelievably well done that it’s constantly in your face and you never forget that you’re watching 3D. You’re never desensitized to it.

CAROLINE: I agree that it’s incredible but the problem lies in the two hour and forty minute running time you just mentioned. I won’t harp on it too much since the movie is such a cool achievement… but my God, James Cameron, learn how to edit your movies!

RYAN: He could have definitely cut out at least twenty minutes. By the way, there were several moments in the movie that reminded me of “Titanic.” I don’t want to give specifics away but the parallels were glaring.

CAROLINE: OMG totally! The song playing over the credits was identical at times to “My Heart Will Go On.” And to me, the movie feels like an allegory for the genocide of the Native Americans way back when.

RYAN: I totally got that, and there are many other issues explored such as the misunderstanding of alien life forms and environmentalism. There are several interesting themes throughout.

CAROLINE: It’s a huge production on a grand scale, but let’s break it down. Sam Worthington plays the lead, and while he’s very good, he needs to hire a dialect coach immediately. I heard his Australian accent coming through several times.

RYAN: Totally! I was so impressed by the special effects on his legs though. His character is in a wheelchair and they make his legs look all withered and skinny. It’s amazing. I also loved Sigourney Weaver, who worked with James Cameron in the past on “Aliens.” And the lead girl, whose face we never actually see in the movie, is Zoe Saldana from this year’s “Star Trek.”

CAROLINE: She was fabulous. They used this crazy performance capture technology for all the actors who play the Na’vi characters, and it’s just awesome.

RYAN: There are some truly gorgeous things in this film, and the scenery is so amazing that I actually wanted to be there. Kinda like how I feel when I watch “The Wizard of Oz”; I want to be in the Emerald City.

CAROLINE: It’s really a feast for the eyes. The movie is an homage to nature and forests and all living creatures big and small.

RYAN: Speaking of creatures, I think the ones in this movie were even cooler and creepier than the ones in “Pan’s Labyrinth.” The world that James Cameron created is unbelievable. The level of detail and the lengths they went to are just amazing.

CAROLINE: They even hired a linguist to create a whole language for the Na’vi. I’m sure James Cameron is thrilled with the outcome. This movie is a remarkable feat. I just wish he could be a little more judicious in the editing room.

— BOTTOM LINE —

RYAN: This movie is going to change the way that films are made. It raises the bar if not sets the standard for event movies like this. It’s kind of a boy movie but there’s a strong romantic story line too, which actually made me get a little teary.

CAROLINE: It’s an amazing movie that’s worth seeing even if sci-fi and fantasy aren’t really your thing. You can’t deny that something incredible is happening here. Even though it’s way too long and I had to take a ten-minute nap, it’s completely worth seeing and not to be missed on the big screen. It’s certainly the movie event of the year.

— RATING —