Avatar's appeal rests on the creation of an extraordinarily vivid world filled with humanoids in a jungle paradise named Pandora. The 3D imagery, the wildly creative beasts, both land-based and flying, and the seamless integration of the humanoids into this environment sets this movie apart.
The story line however is a heavy handed portrayal of mankind as the insensitive, overly militarized crusher of Eden, all for filthy lucre. Think of the tale as Custer's last stand revisited. Fortunately for Eden there is a marine, Jack Sully, who starts out working for the bad guys. He gradually falls in love with Pandora/its people and becomes instrumental in helping Eden survive.