Avatar Arrives

As the old saying goes, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. In the case of Avatar's release and possible success, the proof will be in the release and whether it can catch the public's imagination beyond the core sci-fi audience.

But Cameron, don't forget, has been here before. He faced the pressure of following up The Terminator with T2: Judgement Day. And then there was Titanic - bogged down with delays, technical problems, unhappy crew members, awful storm conditions and studio worries.

The director rode all of those out to bring the world a film which is still counted as the most profitable movie of all time.

Avatar brings with it a similar about of expectation. This time, Cameron is following up Titanic 12 years after that film arrived, having spent years on personal research projects, oceanic documentaries and now developing the ability to actually make the thing.

Can lightning strike twice? Can a director who has had one of the most successful films of all time live up to the demand for his latest effort?

Don't bother trying to ask James Cameron - he's probably out building a better lightning conductor…

Avatar strikes our eyes on Thursday 17 December.

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