2009 In Retrospect - The Biggest Movie Of The Year

It is only fair that if I were to carry out a review of all the films I've watched in 2009, I would start with the biggest of the lot. And last year, there was no other movies bigger in scope and greater in anticipation other than James Cameron's "Avatar".

What was so special about this movie is that it brought us back to the spirit and cinematic grandeur of great movies like Titanic and Lord Of The Rings Trilogy - typically brilliant in terms of technical and cinematic achievements yet intertwined with simple storytelling that managed to capture the hearts and minds of various stratas of viewers.

Once again, James Cameron, after a long hiatus of almost 11 years since producing and directing "Titanic", has come up with a movie worthy of its epic billing and almost at par if not better than its predecessor.

Much has been said about the movie, and I'm pretty sure there are tonnes of reviews on the movie. So, let me just list down the 10 Things I Like About The Movie: -

1. I got to see Sigourney Weaver again in a James Cameron movie (the last was Aliens).

2. The special effects were out of this world. Brilliantly done.

3. And PANDORA really, really came to life. Cameron always have this endearing vision of a world truly beyond our normal thoughts.

4. Sam Worthington was an unknown before this. But he's definitely a superstar now. Although his Jake Sully will not be remembered as much as Leonardo Di Caprio's Jack Dawson, it was a good effort from this newcomer.

5. Zoe Saldana played Neytiri, a Na'vi in the movie. She is supposed to be a Computer-Enhanced creature. But without her hearty emotions and vigorous movements, Neytiri would have been soulless.

6. Stephen Lang (who played the evil Colonel Miles Quaritch) reminded me of one of the characters from Small Soldiers (i.e. the one played / voiced by Tommy Lee Jones).

7. The movie was so engrossing that it didn't feel like a 160-minute movie (i.e. 2 1/2 hours long).

8. Just like "Titanic" earlier, Cameron got James Horner to produce the Soundtrack for "Avatar". Great job. The music enhanced the movie to greater heights.

9. Gorgeous cinematography by Mauro Fiore.

10. Of all the movies nominated for the Best Picture (Oscar), and with all dfue respect to "The Hurt Locker", this will be the one remembered most by many.

Enough said.