When the Humans invade a new planet, Pandora, looking for Unobtainium (fuel), they choose to mercilessly take over the planet by removing anything and everything that gets in their way. By reating special hybrid "Avatars" they are able to infiltrate the enemy and learn information about these indigenous creatures. Jake Sully, a sympathetic human who happens to be paraplegic and finds the use of his avatars legs an awakening experience, begins to side with the native Na'vi tribes. War invokes as humans battle against Na'vi and all at the same time, a love story blossoms between Sully and a Na'vi princess.
Like I said, this movie is incredibly great to watch. I did not get the chance to see it in 3D but I heard that it was EVEN better which is amazing. HOWEVER, many of the messages were a direct, unabashed attempt to shame America and its people for what is going on in the Middle East. James Cameron parallels the battle for the planet and its commodities to the conflict going on over seas right now and though I may not agree with everything going on right now over there Cameron shows the humans (Americans) as a merciless, thoughtless, power hungry people willing to do anything for new land and treasures. Generalization is usually the beginning of stereotyping and racism and it is a shame that Cameron chooses to do that to his fellow countrymen. Why propagate the issue as opposed to offering a better solution through his film can probably be summed up in his frustration with what is going on, which I guess I cannot blame him for. If you do not want to support it, then don't go watch the movie. If you can look past it, then you will surely enjoy a movie that you could call "pleasing to the eye".
My Elementary Grading Scale: Exceeding Expectations
1-10: 8.5/9
I wouldn't say that Cameron specificially targeted the U.S. It's more a theme that's been a constant throughout history, with colonization and imperialism which spans the entirety of human civilization. Egyptians and slavery, Roman Empire, Ottoman Empire, etc. These conflicts also exist presently in other parts of the world, with Iran (supposedly) infringing upon individual fundamental rights and freedoms, North Korea's acts of aggression in the past, Russia and Chechnya, and the list goes on. Great Britain is no better with CCTV cameras on every corner throughout the streets of London, an idea that was unfathomable a generation ago, it more resembles a fascist dictatorship than a "Democracy."
ReplyDeleteGoing off on a bit of a tangent here, just saying that it's subjective and more a generalized theme of power, man vs. man, man vs. nature, man vs. industry, etc. I thought it was good movie, and I've described it to friends as Ferngully meets The Matrix.
Nice review. This movie is absolutely worth watching. This one has proved how excellently animations can be used and the exceptional story made this movie one the finest animation movie.
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