On Friday morning, at 12am, I had the opportunity to view the movie Avatar at its first public showing. I’ve been looking forward to this movie for awhile due to the speculation floating around the Internet and through various media sources. The wait was worth it in more ways that I can even begin to describe. I am going to avoid giving spoilers here because I want the movie to be as fantastic for you as it was for me. But I must mention that the story and visual appeal blew me away. Though it may seem blasphemous to some, I would venture to suggest that it has become my favorite movie of all time and has surpassed even Star Wars. Of course, these are simply my own opinions, but I found it breath-taking. In fact, I was left in awe.

The visual effects were stunning. One reviewer has noted that some people have actually become nauseous watching it! The storyline is fantastic because it is so applicable in our culture. Perhaps the storyline was not as deep and intriguing as others, but I couldn’t help but find myself absolutely engrossed in it. I want to travel to the planet Pandora! I want to live among the Na’vi! I want to experience flying on a banshee!

So there are redemptive qualities and so many analogies that can be pulled from this movie. I won’t begin to point them out here, though I may do that in the future.

Please, oh please, make a sequel.

The one thing that I realized throughout this movie is my sinfulness. I want to experience God as much as I find myself longing to experience Pandora. If life on Pandora stimulates such awe and longing, how much more will a united heaven and earth produce the same joy in the lives of followers of Jesus? I loved Avatar, but I love Jesus more. I hope and pray that God gives me more of a longing for heaven!