Well it kept me entertained for 162 minutes in a freezing cold screen 1 of a multiplex in Market! Market! - my first movie after 19 days in Manila.

Following Titanic, which I found to be a tortuous bore-fest of a build up to the sinking, James Cameron has delivered the most visually arresting cinema experience I have ever seen. Being a seasoned movie-goer and someone who loves sci-fi/action adventure, I have often marvelled at SFX but in a way that I could tell that the effects were computer generated. In Avatar there were times when I stopped to wonder at the SFX but not because they looked like SFX but because they didn't...if that makes sense?

The 3D worked very well, especially during action sequences but it kind of got in the way during some of the more static, dialogue based scenes. And, I still don't like wearing glasses to watch a movie.

The soundtrack was excellent. It married in with the visuals so well that I almost didn't notice it. And, the performances were very good, making me really believe in the Avatars.

I have to admit that the plot was a little wooden and a bit plodding at times, but the overall experience was outstanding and at times, I have to say, staggeringly good.