Avatar has amazing visuals, not much else

This is a television blog, so quick thoughts only.

Aristotle listed the elements of a tragedy as plot, character, thought, diction, melody, and lastly spectacle. In this regard, Avatar is a total failure. Aristotle would have detested the movie -- if not blown away by the two-hours plus feast of visuals. I think he would have to shuffle spectacle after watching the movie, having seen only what the limited technology of the Greeks could produce.

There is no undertone in the film; the message is as blatant as it comes. Capitalism is evil. Industrialization is evil. The West is evil. War is evil. American settlers were evil.

Alright, we get it, but James Cameron bashes us over and over with speeches from a twisted Randian. We know the West exploits resources in South America and Africa. We know humans can't destroy all of nature.

Cameron's self-indulgent epic is not a terrible movie, but there is much to be desired. The script is filled with plot holes, and the message in its simplicity is quite stupid. Too much time is devoted to exploring the world of Pandora instead of the characters, and in the end, the audience can appreciate the visuals, and not care about anything else.