Avatar

Avatar is currently the highest-grossing film of all time in North America. This science fiction genre story directed by James Cameron stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Joel David Moore, and Michelle Rodriguez. Following the film's success, Cameron stated that there will be at least two sequels.

The film is set in 2154, when humans are mining a precious mineral called unobtanium on Pandora, a lush moon of a gas giant in the Alpha Centauri star system. The expansion of the mining colony threatens the continued existence of a local tribe of Na'vi—a humanoid species indigenous to Pandora. The film's title refers to the genetically engineered Na'vi-human hybrid bodies used by a team of researchers to interact with the natives of Pandora.

It does an excellent job of what science fiction writers call world building, that is to say showing you a planet and a culture that is totally unlike anything we'd know on Earth. The special effects were truly amazing, but, as can be found with some films, never once felt overdone and pointless exhibitions of technological capabilities.

It is probably not the best film to be ever made but it certainly captures the imagination and keeps the audience gripped throughout, which is the whole point.