As Oscar celebrates the top motion pictures from this past year, and in honor of Hollywood's big night, here is a look behind the scenes at the technology that brought James Cameron's Avatar to life, technology that has certainly opened the door to an entirely new style of filmmaking.

Avatar, the number one box office grossing film of all time, took years to make its way to theaters around the world. See how James Cameron brought his vision to the big screen, against the odds and despite the fact that much of the technology needed to create the film had not yet been invented.

If you're one of the few who haven't seen Avatar yet, be sure to do yourself a favor and check it out in 3D at your favorite movie theater. Below, is the trailer for the film, and a glimpse of what you can expect.