I'll admit the hype for the movie had me skeptical but I walked away feeling like I just watched a turning-point in cinema. Maybe this is was what my dad was feeling after seeing Star Wars in theaters? The 3D effects were incredible (see the 3D version!) and I really appreciate all the detail that went into making Pandora such a lush environment. Throughout the movie I was trying to figure out certain scenes were real, CG or both.
The story, while not perfect, I thought was well-paced and enjoyable. I can understand the "Dances with Wolves in space" talk but the experience as a whole was just too fun to nitpick. Go to see this movie to be entertained, not as an art or social critic, and you'll get your moneys worth.