In a previous post I’ve shared my skepticism about the ability of James Cameron’s soon-to-be-released Avatar to live up to the director’s hype. I should probably have more faith in a cinematic visionary who has served up science fiction icons like Terminator 2 and Aliens, not to mention the romantic tragedy and blockbuster Titanic. But some of the statements Cameron has made about the technology going into the film have made me wonder whether the film will revolve largely around visual and special effects splendor while offering little by way of a compelling narrative.

Thankfully it appears that my skepticism may be unwarranted. Craig Detweiler is the Director of Pepperdine University’s Center for Entertainment, Media, and Culture, author of Into the Dark (Baker Academic, 2008), and editor of the forthcoming Halos and Avatars (Westminster John Knox, 2010) (to which I was privileged to make a contribution in the form of a chapter addressing aspects of technotheology). He was recently invited to be part of a special screening of thirty minutes of the film, and he was very impressed:

Not since the first time I saw Star Wars have I felt so giddy, so transported by sheer visual splendor and delight. Viewers will call friends and family, describing scenes with boundless enthusiasm. Teenagers will be recreating scenes in their backyards. Few will be satisfied seeing it just once. James Cameron and his team have created an eye-popping spectacle that will enthrall filmgoers. Avatar is the real (digital) deal.

Read Craig’s further thoughts on Avatar on his blog Purple State of Mind at this post, and return here for TheoFantastique’s perspective on the film after its premiere on December 18.