"Avatar" Revised

In a society that rejects reality and embraces films set in the future with alien races, such as “Star Trek”, “The Terminator” and “District 9”, “Avatar” is bound to round up fans willing to paint themselves blue adorned with glowing freckles. Although the movie received negative press for being a $300 million remake of “Dances With Wolves” loaded with computer generated imagery, this film has much more to offer than just being an amped up version of an old story. “Avatar” is engaging, thought provoking, and utterly enthralling in an unexpected way for a film about a fictional world.

James Cameron wrote and directed this 2009 blockbuster that follows the story of Jake Sully, Sam Worthington, a young paraplegic jarhead sent to the planet Pandora. Jake’s mission is to befriend the native people of Pandora while inhabiting the body of an “avatar,” a being created from both human and native Pandorian DNA. His mission is to find a diplomatic agreement that will achieve access to a valuable element. Jake struggles to fulfill his duty once he forms a deep connection with the land and people. The plot follows the thread of Jake’s internal struggle through to his outward conflicts with scientists, military, and businessmen. The exploration of Jake’s internal conflict coupled with his external hardships leads to a powerful conclusion.

Cameron began writing “Avatar” fifteen years ago. Typically science fiction and action flicks do not have the most scintillating dialogue. “Avatar” is no exception. Although Cameron put many years into this script, it is hard to make conversations about power and destruction incredibly intellectual. However the audience never blatantly scoffed at the dialogue.

Although Cameron did not give the actors much to work with in terms of dialogue, the acting is phenomenal. Worthington portrays Jake with such conviction that his struggles are easily felt. Zoe Saldana is impressive as the native Neytiri. Although the actress is never seen as herself, her verbal intonations easily create a believably exotic character.

Cameron accomplished his dream of a computer-generated world that is incredibly visually stimulating. Pandora, a world with beasts of various sizes, shapes and colors, and floating mountains is completely believable. The breathtaking imagery and luscious depiction of the forest is entrancing. There is not a moment of second guessing the reality of such a place existing.

Cameron makes a bold plot decision considering the issues in the film are relatable to current issues. The film makes a statement about the propriety of exploiting indigenous populations for the United States’ monetary gain. The timing of this film makes that theme incredibly thought provoking.

It seems that in a two hour and forty minute movie, a viewer would begin to notice an uncomfortable stiffness in his or her body. However “Avatar” is so action packed and emotionally charged that it is hard to peel ones eyes from the screen. Although it has a familiar story, “Avatar” is a film that people of all walks of life will enjoy in one way or another.