Avatar: What the $%$^ Is This?

I have seen a lot of commercials for this new movie Avatar over the last couple months. Basically almost every commercial break while watching a football game. The early previews looked rather interesting, and tripped out. Now I'm not so sure. Later ones I see a bunch of people in Matrix-style chairs and CGI. So...basically a bunch of people play virtual reality games? Just looks stupid. I suppose I could look into this further...

James Cameron's big blue alien love story. Taking place about 140 years in the future, the film follows crippled ex-Marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) as he lands in a mining colony on the planet of Pandora, populated by a race of aliens called the Na'vi. Given the opportunity to scout the land via a mind-controlled Na'vi avatar, Sully ends up falling for a native named Neytiri (Zoe Saldana).

BUT...I saw HUMANS in the commercial. Clearly the whole thing is virtual right? Don't tell me this is a take on modern society living in dream worlds. I am just guessing...it probably is.

What my issue is with almost EVERY single early review I have seen? They spend the entire time talking about the Special Effects. Obviously this is a CGI blockbuster, and an action flick, but if the movie sucks, who cares?

This movie is 161 minutes long. 2 HOURS AND 41 MINUTES. Might need wrinkle cream for this one. I have yet to read a review about anything other than it being a fast paced action movie with great technology. Anyone?

I suppose if you like crappy movies with lots of explosions to get off then this may make you happy. If it is just a CGI spectacle for 3 hours I'm probably not going to be all that impressed. The early reviews make it sound like it is more or less a new tech invention to behold than a movie. Maybe someone will actually review the STORY eventually.