Ney'tiri and Jake © James Cameron

Though strung together from cliches, this film still spun a fairytale that I found compelling – enough so that I became emotionally involved. Real images merge seamlessly with computer generated ones. I had only ever seen 3D used in “Beowulf” and Cameron’s use of it is far more subtle and powerful – at times, mesmerizing. The effect is by no means perfect, but neither was I left feeling it was merely a ‘trick’. The claims that this may once again lift the cinematic experience above that of watching our screens at home could well be proved correct. (Though I have read elsewhere that home 3D systems are already in development). So, one of those rare phenomena: a film that actually lives up – even surpasses – its hype.

(Incidentally, I kept finding aspects of the film that reminded me strongly of the Stone Dance – specifically “The Standing Dead”. I am not claiming any plagiarism here by Cameron, merely that, for me, it is yet another confirmation of Jung’s theory of our collective unconscious…)