"Avatar" is an enjoyable movie-going experience, but not the cinematic game-changer it is hyped to be. All sarcasm aside, it really does play like "Dances With Wolves" with aliens, which is sometimes quite effective. VIsually, it is striking; emotionally, it does pull you in. But James Cameron has essentially taken a often-seen story (right down to the cartoonishly villainous military) and wrapped it up in a bright new package.