Avatar Returns

It's probably a sure sign of the weakness of the Box Office in 2010 that just a few months removed from ending its theatrical run as the highest grossing film of all time, "Avatar" is back in theaters. And now it's longer. And no doubt many will flock to see it again.

I won't be one of them.

"Avatar" was a Best Picture nominee and it shattered the previous Box Office record. Because I believe in giving credit where credit is due, I will acknowledge that the film is also an impressive technical achievement. Director James Cameron has always been on the forefront of film technology. The way he used special effects in "The Abyss," "Terminator," "Terminator 2," and "Titanic" helped him craft his reputation. But he outdid all his previous work with "Avatar."

From a technical and visual standpoint, "Avatar" stands alone. The film makes beautiful use of color, 3D techniques, and other visual effect technology to create a cinematic experience like no other. At least in technical terms.

My faults with the film have always been story based. You could liken the basic plot to Pocahontus or any number of other tales of romances that featured a pair from separate worlds. There is nothing special about the basic plot, and then on top of it there are a whole bunch of other cliches and ridiculous social arguments thrown into the mix.

The idea of a military man gone crazy and seeking to wipe out the natives isn't new. The idea that as a society we're willing to rape the natural world to make profit as we consume natural resources at a historic rate isn't new. It's a common political argument in the era of "global warming." Then there is the strange religious subtext, the nature worship that is nothing short of pagan rituals. And for me, none of those things enhance the film, in fact they distract from the visual achievement.

But perhaps most troubling with this re-release is that they've made "Avatar" longer. Really? We needed to make it longer? I don't think so. The film was already bloated — thanks in large part to ridiculous plot elements — and now we've made it longer. At 171 minutes, even the best visual experience begins to lose its effectiveness if there is no decent story to back it up.

In the end, I think "Avatar" should be commended for the cinematic achievements it made in terms of visual style and the use of technology. But as far as being a classic film, it doesn't make the grade in my book. But lucky us, we have this second theatrical run to look forward to as well as a sequel set for 2014.

I can't wait...