I give the movie a 6.5 score. The scenery was wonderful, but the plot was not zipped up well. It sort of follows the story-line of "Dances with Wolves", but in space.
DO NOT READ FURTHER IF YOU INTEND TO SEE THE MOVIE!!!!
I saw AVATAR, today. I kept thinking of whether a Jehovah's Witness should see it. Here's why I think the "Friends" would have a problem with it.
First of all, the "good" aliens worship nature. They, mainly worship trees and in particular two trees. One, is this "Tree of Life" type thing (reminded me of Animal Kingdom at Disneyworld). It is like their home base. The other tree, rather a grove, looks like a weeping willow tree whose branches are like long lights. The lights carry the spirits of all the ancestors. Under this special tree, any dead being's soul can be transported into a new body. Around this Weeping Willow Christmas Tree, if you will, the group of aliens hold chanting/praying sessions where they sit cross legged and sway (a sceance of sorts). So, earth-type worship is alive and well in this movie. And, because it is the "good aliens" who are doing this.....it is glorified.
Second, these "good aliens" are blue. They are like taller, leaner, better looking Smurfs.
Third, there is a heavy petting (unseen fornication) scene, which obviously did not have any wedding ceremony beforehand.
Fourth, the last 40 minutes are a terrible scene of war, destruction, murder, etc. It is terribly violent. Even I wanted it to stop.
and Finally, the year is 2100's (can't remember the exact year). But, obviosly this is a false teaching as everyone knows that Armegheddon would have destroyed all the worldly people, including all the ex-Marines who are in this movie.
I can't think of anymore reasons why a Christian should not see this movie. But, I'm sure the Friends will come up with many. For the same reasons that I did not see Star Wars.
Skeeter