James Cameron's Avatar Passes its First Test

As the Avatar hype machine whiffs off its last fumes headed into its release this Friday, Fox waited until the last conceivable moment to show the movie to critics, and even then was rattled enough to make the press sign scary release forms that promised no reviews would be published through the weekend.

Of course, so-called “embargoes” like this never work, and sure enough, a review popped up in The Hollywood Reporter on Thursday. With that and the others that trickled out afterward (not to mention a rapturous reception via blogs and Twitter), Avatar has passed its first real test. It’s difficult to find an outright negative review of the movie, and most are superlative. Paste’s own embargo-respecting reviewer came back from the screening with a big smile on his face, talking about reshuffling the Best of 2009 list. Most famously, Kirk Honeycutt summed up his THR review with this: “A titanic entertainment — movie magic is back!”

At this point Fox surely has dollar signs in its eyes, and the movie will have to be nothing short of an international sensation to be considered a true success. But at least for now, it appears James Cameron may once again shake off the bad-mouthers who perennially chase after his ego.

Got news tips for Paste? Email news@pastemagazine.com.