“Avatar.” You’ve heard all about it, and more than likely, you’ve seen it.

Over the winter break, I got the chance to see it in 3-D at the Times Square AMC for a wallet-whopping $16.50. Actually, it was $33 because I have needy friends. Not knowing how to feel about the movie, I walked into the theater a bit put-off and cynical. Walking out of the theater, however, I was simply amazed.

For those who did not yet get the chance to see it, I will be conscious of spoilers, although I will admit that there is really no surprise to this film. The story was familiar, but the secret to the critical and financial success of “Avatar” does not lay in its plot, but instead in its spectacular effects.

Our society is one that never ceases to be mesmerized by the film industry’s new technological advances. From “Star Wars” to “The Lord of the Rings” to “Avatar,” Hollywood is always pushing the proverbial envelope.

“Avatar” has gotten frequent comparisons to “Dances with Wolves” and other movies with strikingly similar story lines. And while it is true that the plot itself is not in the least bit original, it does bring something new to the viewers — a refreshing, realistic look into a world that stemmed from James Cameron’s mind. Not unlike Michael Bay, Cameron works to make science fiction just a little bit less fictional.

Everything in “Avatar” appeals to the senses: the colorful glow-in-the-dark leaves, the sounds of the otherworldly jungle, the musical score. While there is no doubt that the film brings us wholly into the world of Pandora, I can’t help but ask, at what cost?

Are we so easily amused by pretty colors and attractive sounds that a story with no real trace of actual acting or fresh storytelling can break box office records and win prestigious awards?

This is not to say that “Avatar” was not a great movie in its own way — there is a Best Picture category at the Academy Awards dedicated to films made with specifically outstanding visuals. However, this is to note that there has been a major shift in the film industry.

The first Academy Awards ceremony was in 1929, and you can bet that special effects were not particularly impressive compared to today’s standards. That means that Best Picture was decided by cinematography — lighting and scenic views — which used to be captured with a camera, but is now generated by a computer.

Technology has and continues to make many aspects of life easier, but the film industry is a field where machines should not necessarily replace people, because doing so trades physical talent for technological innovation.

Don’t get me wrong, I am grateful that I can go to the movies, pick up a pair of 3-D glasses and spend the next two hours dodging every finger and sword that protrudes from the screen. But a couple of down-to-earth movies here and there might help keep the spirit of cinema alive.