If nothing else for being another brilliant example of media as message. The plot exists as a simple support for the astounding aesthetic voyage, being specially appealing for those that appreciate the fact most of it was drawn, technically assisted as it may have been. The eye-candy blurs the line between reality and animation so successfully it barely needs any suspension of disbelief.

The plot, on the other hand, needs plenty. If you’re only interested in the higher art of story telling or the myriad social and cultural implications of human-alien interaction, the movie will probably disappoint. It’s not a bad story per se, but it’s just too basic to be of interest, even if well told and superbly assisted by the visuals.

It’s a pity the producers didn’t deign the story worthy of a more serious take, specially considering the extreme graphic violence. It’s certainly no kiddie movie so I see no reason why the story couldn’t have been sensibly improved and turned into a compelling argument about several different interesting dilemmas with only a few basic twists.

As it stands it surely takes the prize as the most beautiful film I’ve seen in a while and the 3D experience only adds to it, but it could have achieved classic status had they taken just a few more risks.