I don’t review movies that often here, even though I certainly see my fair share. Most movies aren’t really applicable to the theme of this blog but Avatar definitely is. Even if it wasn’t I STILL might mention it because it is honestly one of the best movies I have ever seen. It is insanely good and I almost skipped it thinking it looked a little too weird for my liking. And until 20 minutes or so into the movie I was still skeptical.
This movie takes place in the distant future.. somewhere around 2150 I think. Humans have decimated the earth and they are prospecting other worlds for energy sources which are the new currency. A corporation has found the motherload of energy sources in an ore that is found on Pandora. The problem is that Pandora is full of fierce creatures that make anything Earth had look like a mere kitten and the indigenous people, the Na’Vi, don’t want or need anything from us and are not willing to relocate to allow for us to prospect and strip mine their land. Their “hometree” is actually sitting right on top of the area the corporation wants to access. In an effort to get what they want they hire a Blackwater type operation, using soldiers for pay as a backup plan. Their primary plan is to use a group of scientists who have created Avatars. They took human DNA and mixed it with the Na’Vi DNA and grew a mixed breed that look more like the cat-like, 9 foot tall, blue skinned Na’Vi. The host of the human DNA can link to his avatar and essentially sleep while his brain controls the body and mind of the avatar. This allows them to try and gain access to the Na’Vi people and come to an agreement that will make both parties happy. No one wants to see any harm come to the Na’Vi but as the corporate CEO points out, his human shareholders find profit more important than keeping the peace.
The story is absolutely amazing, I loved Jake Sully’s character.. a jarhead that always follows orders beginning to experience a crisis of conscience when he realizes that these wonderful people will never willingly leave their home and that in the end money will motivate his own people to genocide. I also loved Neytiri, the Na’Vi woman who befriends Jake even though she thinks the “sky people” are “ignorant like children”. The real gem in Avatar though is the world of Pandora… once Jake begins to see what it is that the Na’Vi are trying to protect (I don’t want to elaborate and ruin it, but it is freakin awesome!) he knows what he has to do.
While the story and the characters are awesome alone it is nature that really becomes the star and I heartily recommend this movie to everyone but especially environmentalists. By and large it is getting awesome reviews all over the web but there is a small element of people who I would wager are conservative Christian, politically speaking, who don’t like it.
I read a couple reviews that said the whole movie was about white guilt, making white people look bad and making them feel like they should still be seeking redemption for the atrocities committed against Native Americans and during the slave trade years. It has been called Dancing with Wolves in Space. I disagree with this interpretation ardently and in fact if anything I think it is a statement against corporate greed, unfettered capitalism, and environmental destruction. Either way I can see why the politically conservative may object to the message. They may also object to the spiritual element of the movie which paints nature… animals and trees, just as worthy as any other species and I know there are political and religious folk that despise putting any aspect of nature on par with human life.. that whole idea of us having dominion and all that. Many are crying that the movie is about Pantheism. I am not making any judgements just sharing why some seem to object to this movie. My brother, in fact, refused to see the movie for those very reasons… the elevation of nature as equal to man, the idea that mankind causes planetary damage, giving nature a spirit, etc. Whereas I see it and see beyond that to the themes of capitalism at the cost of lives and environment, and our failure to see the interconnected-ness of our lives and the natural world.
I talked him into seeing it with me tomorrow, so I can see it in 3D. I look forward to seeing if he changes his mind at all.
Did you see this movie? What did you think?
I’ve not seen Avatar yet, but I plan to soon. I’ve been looking forward to it.
Both my wife (age 55) and I (age 61) thoroughly enjoyed Avatar in 3D. My wife normally doesn’t care for sci-fi or fantasy movies so that is a really good endorsement coming from her. We both are considering going back to see it one more time. I missed the first couple of minutes while buying the popcorn. Hate to miss the beginning of any movie but she filled me in when I joined her. This is possibly the best movie we have seen on the big screen in years. Don’t miss it! It’s like nothing else you have ever experienced. Of course, Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Lord of the Rings, and the Harry Potter films are all very good as well. But this movie stands out for some reason. Maybe it’s the 3D, but, as some reviewers say, you tend to forget all about the novelty of 3D after a while and just let the movie carry you away. Cameron’s Titanic, without the 3D, was able to do that too, like few other films before it. So it looks like Cameron did it again!
Thanks for reviewing this film, I’ve been so curious about it and haven’t had time to see it. I have always liked the sci-fi fantasy genre. I hadn’t read any other reviews so was unaware of any controversy. I think you are right in that more Americans need to have their feathers ruffled a bit when it comes to the atrocities of spawned by corporate greed. If we all take more personal responsibility to become better consumers and consumers of less “stuff” then we can affect change.
On another note, I would like to caution you about painting all christians with the same brush. I realize that there are many who have their heads stuck in the sand when it comes to environmental issues but there is a growing number of us who care very deeply about these and other social issues. I also believe that we as humans have gone against God’s plan for this earth. He intended for us to care for and nurture this earth and that we would be able to live from it as well. Here are some links If you’d like to check out some good blogs written by conscientous christians who care about the environment and reducing consumerism:
http://walkslowlylivewildly.com/ (she and her family are traveling the country in an RV fueled by veg. oil)
http://livinglearningandlovingsimply.blogspot.com/ (she encourages simple and purposeful living)
http://golightlyplace.blogspot.com/ (she is vegan and cares passionately about animal rights)
Btw, I love your blog and have learned so much from you! Thanks and Happy New Year!
Hilty, excellent reminder. I tried to not sound judgmental but perhaps I did not do it so well. Thanks for the links… I follow the first blog already and like it very much.
Tiffany couldn’t agree with you more! My best friend, my teen and I saw the movie in 3D yesterday and “interconnectedness” was the word we felt really defined the theme of this film. Sub themes like the pillage of indigenous people of this world was definitely in there too. IMO that subtheme was not included as a condemnation of anyone but as a reflection of our history – nothing wrong with that it’s the truth and we’re learning from it.
In fact my friend went on a once in a lifetime trip to Africa last year and ended up visiting a Masai village. We went to her place after the movie and I looked at those pictures (and video) and had to agree that the Navi people in Avatar look an awful lot like the Masai warriors in carriage, dress and physicality (they are very tall). But they also look a little like first nations people in America.
None of that is a negative and shouldn’t make white people feel guilty. The point is Nature is the star of this movie and anything we can learn from our past mistakes and from the people in this world that respect nature is a good thing. Period.
Thanks for the great review. I wasn’t sure I’d like it b4 but now I have GOT to see it!
I did see Avatar with my husband and my 7, 9 and 12 year old sons and I believe I enjoyed it more than my sons. It was amazing and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time! My 7 year old wanted to see it in 3D and now I would like to go back and check it out in 3D also.
This is a MUST SEE movie!!!!
I am with you on this one. It is funny because when I got back from the theater I posted on my Facebook page how much I loved this movie…and felt a little silly because I don’t usually talk about that stuff on Facebook. So I love that you found that you had to talk about it too and share this gem with the world. I am impressed with your description. You have a way with words. I also agree that the best part about the movie is the nature. I wrote on my FB page that I didnt’ want to leave the forest at the end of the movie.
Thanks for your interesting posts.
Shena.
I’ve also heard some conservatives saying that the movie is “anti-American” and “anti-military,” despite the fact that the main character is an ex-marine. I posted a link to a great article (written by my husband!) that talks about Avatar and the current state of climate change policy; find the link here!
http://mygreenpicketfence.wordpress.com/2010/01/02/avatar-and-copenhagen/
Thanks for the interesting post!
I would have to also agree that this is definitely the best movie I have seen in a long time. The cinematography, the characterization, the themes: there was just so much to get out of this movie.
I don’t normally comment on blogs, but I did want to say that although I’m sure there are people that found a bad message from the movie, there’s always someone, please don’t blame it on conservative Christians. There are some of us that are very concerned about the planet and our affect on it. After all, God created us to be stewards of His creation.
I did see both the Native American role and the anti-corporate greed role personally. I was very impressed with how the message was portrayed, in a very real meaningful way. Thanks for a great review of a totally awesome movie!
we saw it last night and thought it was amazing!!
Our family does not go see movies in the theatre. My hubby and I took a night out to see it, and decided the whole extended family needed to go. It was that good. We shelled out A LOT of dough for it… and it was worth it. (Although, I would strongly recommend making sure you are getting a genuine large IMAX experience before shelling out the premium. Newer IMAX’s are barely bigger than regular screens.)
The visuals were the best part… I didn’t want to miss a rock, which was the appropriate treatment given the theme.
I am Christian, Mormon in fact, and I loved Avatar. I’m trying to get tickets to see it again. Most Christian religions teach that man has dominion over the Earth, but here’s my take: “Dominion” doesn’t mean “tyranny”, and with power comes responsibility. Man may have dominion, but we also have the responsibility to take care of it. That’s what I got out of Avatar, so I found the move supported my beliefs.