Summary: Definitely something to look at, but that's about it.

I've been surprised at how many people LOVE this movie, call it a life changing experience, etc. I have a lot of problems with this movie, but let's start with something positive.

The effects were stunning - no doubt about it. I saw this in 3D and it was impressive. You do feel like you are in the world that James Cameron has created. Having said that...

My first issue is with the characters. There really isn't much in the way of character development, and for spending 2.5 hours in the theater it seems like there should be. You see early on which characters you are expected to like and which you are expected to hate - and the not-so-subtle hints in both directions are too extreme and frankly not believable.

Acting... oh boy the acting. Watching this you can't help but wonder if the writing was just so bad that the actors couldn't do any better or if they just didn't try. The dialog was literally PAINFUL, especially the "love" scenes.

Next comes the plot. You can point out parallels all day long, but the take away here is essentially:

• humans are greedy, ruthless and cruel
• technology is wrong and damaging (I don't see how you could watch this movie and not see the irony in what is little more than a 2.5 hour lecture on the above items using some of the most advanced movie making technology out there today...)
• the military is soulless

Right of the bat, this plot is tired and overdone (I'm thinking of at least 2/6 Star Wars movies right away). More than that though, this is just disappointing. From someone who brought us Terminator, Alien, True Lies and shoot, even Titanic... I would have expected better.

If you want to see a movie that should have just been a video game... maybe take the time (and a considerable amount of it no less) to watch this, otherwise stand at the box office, close your eyes and point. Whatever you pick is bound to be better than this.