As his Na'vi alter-ego, Jake falls in love with Eytukan and Mo'at's daughter Neytiri (voiced by Zoe Saldana), who has been promised to warrior Tsu'tey (voiced by Laz Alonso) and together they must somehow defeat Quaritch and his heavily armed gun-ships.

Avatar is a dazzling spectacle that creates a fantastical kingdom where the Na'vi and Mother Nature live in harmony.

Awesome technical might bludgeons a sophisticated narrative or subtle characterisation.

Worthington's hero has a simple narrative arc from spy to defender of the Na'vi realm, standing before the tribes to deliver a climactic rallying cry.

Villains of the piece are crudely sketched, from Lang's hilariously muscled brute to Ribisi's corporate weasel, who dismisses the Na’vi as “blue monkeys”.

The film screens in 3D and IMAX 3D in selected cinemas and the technology is employed to impressive effect, like woodchips that fly at the screen off Jake's heels when his avatar runs for the first time.

Cameron promised us a visually stunning adventure like nothing we have seen before and he delivers.

For gut-wrenching emotion, you'll need to look elsewhere.