Rating of
4/4
First Review is the Hardest: My Take on Avatar
Rob The Berserker - wrote on 01/02/10
A few days ago, I went to see James Cameron's latest creation, Avatar. If memory serves, about thirteen years ago, Cameron proclaimed that he was king of the world. Well, I can assure you this is his re-crowing. As I sat down in the theater, I was trying to think about what I should expect. During those two and a half hours, I saw one of the greatest spectacles I have seen all year.
On the lush, green world of Pandora, a corporate figurehead(Giovanni Ribisi) teams up with the U.S. Armed Forces and mines precious rock on Pandora. The Na’vi, the indigenous humanoid species of Pandora, scorn the humans for setting foot on their moon. The corporate figurehead looks for a way to force the Na’vi out of an area where a large deposit of this precious rock is located. On the conflicting side, a scientist(Sigourney Weaver) is fascinated with Pandora and everything on it. She wants to preserve and study it.
Whether it’s studying or mining, a human cannot breathe Pandoran air. They must wear oxygen or be in the Avatar program. Avatars are have the form of the Na’vi, but are integrated with human DNA. This makes it possible for humans to control these Avatars via a type of mind link. Avatars are mainly used for surveying and studying Pandora while the Armed Forces with oxygen packs oversee the and ensure protection of mining equipment.
This is where Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), a paraplegic ex-marine who volunteers for the Avatar program, comes in. It seems odd that Jake, being the ex-marine, is in the Avatar Program. It is because his twin brother signed up for it, but was killed before he shipped out. Jake is offered great pay and an opportunity to get his legs back if he does recon to learn from the Na’vi to see if they are willing to migrate to another place to reside. Why? Because the largest deposit of this precious rock just happens to be under the Na’vi’s home. If Jake doesn’t find a solution, the military will go completely destroy with reckless abandon on their home. Over time, Jake becomes more attached to this race, especially to Neytiri, a Na’vi princess whose beauty is matched by her fierceness in battle. Jake conflicts on whose side to take when an all out war is around the corner, which can decide the existence of an entire race.
The CGI was done so well over the course of the movie. It created breathtaking scenery and realistic beings. If you ever go watch this, you will be amazed on how beautifully mastered these shots are. I am a slave to good scenery; maybe it’s why I like this movie so much. I can assure you, James Cameron was extremely overlooking on the scenery, striving for nothing but perfection. I also like the design of the Avatars and the Na’vi. They were designed in such a way that they resembled the actors that played them, but had certain elements that made them look outstandingly different. James Cameron wasn’t lying when he said that this would be revolutionary in film making.
Another thing I liked was the use of 3-D. It is one of the main reasons that makes this so good. In usual 3-D movies, you usually witness everything popping out at you. Whereas in this movie, the 3-D makes you feel like Pandora is an actual place and puts you in the middle of the action.
I don’t have much of a problem when it comes to the rest of the movie. Sure, the story was kind of weak and the anti-war pro-environment messages were more than obvious. The constant pounding in of these messages got redundant and old quick. Also, people say that most of the plot was ripped off from "Last Samurai" and "Dances with Wolves," but they aren't ripoffs, they are archetypes. Meaning that certain stories follow a mutual plot. Many movies are done like this and are highly popular, so I don't know why that this is being bashed so hard. You want examples of these movies? Think about Harry Potter, Star Wars, The Matrix. They all follow the same plotline in many ways, but I digress.
Moving on, I don’t mind if I can predict the outcome of one or two of the scenes; but if you can predict most of the movie, it’s almost not worth it. At least try to make an effort that keeps the viewer watching. Also, I am disappointed with the lack of Cameron regulars. There’s Sigourney Weaver, but where is Ahh-nuld , Bill Paxton, and others? Well, we all know that Arnold is busy with the whole Governor of California thing, but he should have squeezed in a few more. Does anyone else notice Sam Worthington may become a regular, also?
My only other gripe doesn’t really have to do with the subject matter of the movie, but people say that Avatar needs a sequel. Let me answer your question right there, no. I am NOT by any means a fan of sequels, unless it’s direly needed to complete a story carried over from the original movie. Avatar simply doesn’t apply to that. It came to a full ending and needs no other explanation. We all have seen the terrors of sequels and how they can completely destroy the original movie's credibility.
All in all, Avatar isn’t that bad of a movie. Though it has its faults, like being highly predictable, It keeps you entertained, looks great, and has breathtaking scenery. The story is simple enough to follow and taught me, at the least, we as humans should not let greed get in the way of more important things. It also has a recurring focus on religion and how it exists in a type of spiritual form that holds us together. I give Avatar a must see theatrical experience, but only in 3-D.
Avatar was directed by James Cameron
Starring Sigourney Weaver and Sam Worthington
Four and a Half Stars out of Five
Three Stars for the Movie Itself
A Star for the Scenery
Half a Star for the 3-D
