Editor’s note: This review contains spoilers 

Over the weekend I made the trek down to the movie theater to watch the new “Avatar” movie. I watched the first “Avatar” movie for the first time over the winter break. Being so late to the party on the highest-grossing movie of all time, I wanted to catch the hype train for the new movie and watch it in the theater to get the “full cinematic experience” by watching the movie in Dolby ATMOS.

I debated getting snacks or a soda to have with the movie but decided against it, because I didn’t want to have to get up and go to the bathroom and miss any part of this so-called revolutionary movie. I didn’t watch any trailers or promotional items for the film, so I had no idea what to expect going in.

After the grueling run-time of over three hours, I left the theater and reflected on the movie. It was … alright. Don’t get me wrong, the effects are brilliant, the acting was solid and the plot was okay at best. But it was just so dang long that it honestly took enjoyment away from the movie. I don’t mean to sound dramatic, but my legs got so tired in the cramped theater seat.

I think that this movie could have easily had an intermission in the middle to get up, stretch and take a bathroom break if needed. I do not mean to sound like I am harping on this movie, because it is pretty enjoyable overall, but I have several issues, especially with the length. I usually watch movies in hour-ish-long chunks, so sitting down through a three-plus hour-long movie made me more than a little restless.

(Spoilers will begin here, proceed with caution if you do not want to have the movie spoiled for you)

I have a few minor gripes with the plot, the first being that the conflict was essentially the same as the first movie, except for the fact that Quartitch  is now an avatar, along with the rest of his group of marines. Instead of the valuable material on Pandora being in the forest, it’s now in the water.

The plot could have been a little bit stronger and more original, especially with how long this movie has been in production and how much excitement and hype the first movie in the series got. It seems to be the same plot as the first movie, except for water-based instead of earth-based.

However, the relationship between Sigourney Weaver’s character and the ocean life was really cool, I am a big fan of the ocean and life underwater and the way they created the marine creatures was really interesting.

My biggest gripe about the movie is in the final battle, the Na’vi that Jake and company have been living with quite literally disappeared in the middle of the fight, with no sign of them until the conflict was over.

Another concern I have is that Avatar 3 will probably follow a very similar plotline, Jake and family have to flee their home because of a targeted attack by Quaritch and they once again have to adapt to another group of Na’vi’s way of life.

While I am no movie critic, this movie had its definite ups and downs, the ups being the outstanding, immersive visuals, and the downsides being the slightly recycled plotline and the several plotholes that can be noticed throughout.