I Saw the Avatar Footage. And Though I Pass Through the Uncanny Valley of Death, I Will Fear No Evil.

 

James Cameron standing around on the Avatar set
James Cameron standing around on the Avatar set

So I just came back from a theater in midtown Manhattan where they screened about 25 minutes of footage from James Cameron’s much-gestated Avatar. And wow. There’s seriously a lot to think about there.

 

Quick premise recap. Paralyzed ex-marine’s consciousness is projected into 10-foot-tall blue alien humanoid body on planet Pandora. He is supposed to help evil corporation strip-mine said planet, possibly while beating on 10-foot-tall blue alien humanoids who live there. But they are spiritual and connected to nature, and also kinda hot. Life lessons ensue.

As far as I can tell there is no airbending in this movie.