I did love Avatar, despite its ripped-off plot, some bad acting, and lackluster script, for three reasons.
One: I'm a tree-hugger, so I enjoyed the pro-environmental morals. Now, that's not to say I would've liked this movie if it had only had this message, but it's a plus nonetheless.
Two: I liked a lot of the underappreciated aspects of the movie. For example, although of course the visuals were pretty amazing, the soundtrack was also phenomenal, in my opinion. Everything actually fit really well with the scene that was happening at the time (the ...flute synthesizer? during the flying scene, lamenting wails as the rival Navi was freefalling, etc.), and provided a fantastic contrast between tribal and military themes. Even Horner's standard four-note trumpet thing actually sounded kind of epic in this movie instead of being just an unnecessary trademark of sorts. And while I commend Zoe Saldana's voice acting, whoever played the villain was great. Even the name "unobtanium" seemed like something a child could make up, and I wondered why they'd deliberately chosen that - until I realized two hours after I walked out of the theater the philosophical meaning of it, in that man will always seek what he cannot obtain. I also found the scientists hilarious.
Three: It emotionally stirred me somehow, beginning at the first dragon scene and going all the way through to the end of the movie. I'm not sure what it was, but something about the movie was just astoundingly beautiful.
Now watch them ruin it all with a sequel. -_-
