Avatar was tremendously appealing in the way that Star Wars (Episode IV) was when it first came out. That is, it set the new standard for visual effects. As for the plot, it's the hackneyed "scientists are always peaceful and right, while the military is always violent and wrong" storyline. That's why lab monkeys have it so much better than Iraqis. I do hope old Jacob Sully brings some major technological advances to the Na'vi, or we can all expect a sequel where the humans return in force for the unobtainium and the smurf-elves go the way of the dodo. So see the movie in 3-D, but don't bring the kids unless they're either too young to pick up on the slightly veiled message or old enough to recognize it as propaganda.