Avatar

Avatar (2009)
Directed by James Cameron
Length: 162 minutes
Rated PG-13 for intense epic battle sequences and warfare, sensuality, language, and some smoking




For movie fans and science fiction fanboys, Avatar has been one of the most anticipated movies of the past decade. Long an enigma with scant details, director James Cameron (Aliens, Titanic) has long tried to develop his vision, only to be limited by the nonexistent technology needed to film his latest epic. After almost a decade of attempts to film, Cameron has finally delivered his masterpiece, an unforgettable experience that will impact the future of movies in the years to come.

Let's get this over with so as to address it now: is Avatar the most original or complex story ever? No, but I personally never felt handicapped by this factor. I have heard people complain that the movie is a "rip-off" of everything from Braveheart to Pocahontas to Fern Gully. Essentially, these people rely on the argument that anytime a movie has any elements of a "native" tribe that is in tune with nature, it must be a straight copy. While I will not deny similarities, it isn't the point. Avatar provides a great look at man's (or woman's) capability to consume and destroy.

Set in a future in which we have depleted our natural resources, humans seek out new worlds in which to mine and obtain valuable resources to use for fuel. In the search for unobtainium (WHICH IS A REAL TERM, DAMMIT!), the humans come to the distant moon of Pandora, a lush tropical moon inhabited by a native species known as the Na'vi. Because the atmosphere of Pandora is inhospitable for humans and previous relationship attempts with the Na'vi have failed, a program known as avatar is implemented, in which a human controls a genetically engineered version of the Na'vi developed from the human host's DNA. Don't worry, none of the science in Avatar is overly complex. From there, I'm sure the preview (which can be viewed by clicking on the title at the top) can fill in the rest of the details. As I said, is this the most complex and original story? No, but simplicity can be good if done well. There are plenty of movies with a brain dead plot that leave me wishing I had not wasted my time, but Avatar never feels stale. Though you know what will happen, the sense of predictability does not ruin the movie. This rare feat allowed me to enjoy the movie even if I knew the beginning, middle, and end before sitting in the theater.

Now let's talk about the real star of the show, the incredible graphics and visual effects. Yeah, yeah, yeah...it's a bunch of "smurf" people running around in a CGI world. Why would I ever be impressed by this? Well, just take a moment to really take in everything you are seeing: every detail of Pandora, from the trees, to the birds, to the way the blades of grass move, to the water glistening down a mountain side...all computer generated. The sheer magnitude should begin to set in as you take in the breath-taking world. I know on several occasions, I was mesmerized by the lush and vivid jungle that turns into a living black-light at night. Cameron and his team succeeded on every front in developing this world; I for one want to visit. The 3D element really added to the movie as well (PLEASE do not waste your time by seeing this in 2D). Instead of relying on the gimmicks often employed by 3D movies (i.e. objects coming at the audience), Avatar used the third dimension to add depth and shape to everything, allowing you to really develop a sense of height/altitude as the characters dive off a cliff on the back of a winged creature.

Though what the movie really is simply boils down to a love story, the deeper themes had me hating humans at the end. It is almost embarrassing to witness the destruction we are capable of at times. Throughout history, our species has destroyed the land we rely on, consumed and demanded more and more to satisfy our insatiable appetite, and even killed our own kind in the name of gain. It pains me to think that our future will very easily mirror the one showcased in Avatar. The story found here may be a simple one, but the layers within Avatar serve as warning to our species: learn to coexist with not only the natives but also nature...otherwise we may just get our asses kicked by a bunch of "smurf" people.

Final Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Favorite Quote: I'm voting for the graphics as my favorite "quote"

Oscar Winners:
Best Achievement in Cinematography
Best Achievement in Art Direction
Best Achievement in Visual Effects

Oscar Nominations:
Best Motion Picture
Best Achievement in Directing - James Cameron
Best Achievement in Editing
Best Original Score
Best Achievement in Sound Mixing
Best Achievement in Sound Editing