Avatar – Movie Review
Last night I went and saw the new movie by James Cameron titled “Avatar.” To say that I was incredibly, incredibly impressed would be a complete understatement.
My one word review is:
OHWOWSERSThatWasOneOfTheBestMoviesIHaveEverSeen!!!
Yes, all strung together and said with one breath.
And just an FYI, this post doesn’t have any spoilers ( I don’t think. )
When I got home last night at 2 in the morning, I was SO hyped up from the movie it was hard to go to sleep. I saw it in 3D on the new IMAX screens they are currently installing into theaters (much larger than normal, slightly concave but not the mega screens in traditional IMAX Theaters.)
YOU HAVE to see this movie in the theaters and preferably 3D or IMAX 3D (new or traditional.) You have too. Why? Because this is a historic moment in movie making history. The artwork, filmography, CGI … breathtaking. It helps that the story, while not overly complex, was good but even if it was bad… you will be enthralled with the world you are enveloped in.
Seriously gorgeous.
But the story is good. It’s a reverse of the old theme of aliens coming to Earth to destroy humanity in order to steal our resources. In Avatar … we are the aliens destroying the planet’s (Pandora) population to get to the natural resources. Of course it has some very similar controversial themes that are hot topics in our culture right now (more after the jump) but basically it’s about how some of our “aggressors” become part of the life and culture of the inhabitants of Pandora and help them defend their planet.
The story, again, is not overly complex but remember … neither was Star Wars until the upteenth movie. Even then it wasn’t complex it was just … a lot. The story of Avatar is epic, noble, brave.
It’s a great love, action, SciFi, Fantasy, Adventure and artistic story. It is destined to be one of the best, if not the most successful movies ever made.
Now… about those controversial bits …
During the movie my friend Adam mentioned a couple of times that he thought there was a dig here or there at the Bush/Cheney administration and the war. I was way too enthralled with the movie to be that analytical about the content yet. I am temporarily stunned and dazzled by shiny things and this was three hours of shiny dazzle.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRdxXPV9GNQ]
After having slept on it … literally, I dreamt about flying blue cat people all night. The cool part is I was flying with them at some points … thank you 3D! 
But I do remember being completely irritated that the military leader antagonist jerk was portrayed as a white Southern vengeful bitter bloodlusting attack the natives at all costs neanderthal. He was a great villain but it was obvious this character was designed in such a way to be an artistic middle finger to the past Bush administration and the war effort.
That said, it worked for the movie. Integrated very well and you need an antagonist like that. I was just irritated and thought it was gratuitous to make him a war hungry white southern old(er) man.
Plus, another antagonist was a completely annoying character who symbolized the ignorant corporate greed stereotype to the hilt. I wanted to see him being eaten by the local version of wolves. He was a great antagonist but he grows increasingly ambivalent which symbolizes a call to corporate Capitalists to go the way the military won’t.
The other thing that I found interesting was the fusion of Gaia (Mother Earth) worship, Zen, Humanism, Animism, Egalitarian Social dynamics and leadership, Shamanism and biological computer networking … all with a Judeo Christian prophetic sensibility (not sacrifice/atonement to redeem people from sin … but a bent toward a prophetic sensibility.)
I know … but he did it. He fused all of that.
That said, I personally never felt preached at. I never felt overly propagandized or insulted. I think the controversial topics were definitely approached and promoted a liberal sensibility but I don’t know that it is all bad. The liberal bias is obvious enough to raise the discussion but light enough (to me at least) to not deter me to not highly recommend the movie.
Indeed, if people don’t reduce it down to yet another opportunity to just echo talking points, it could lead to some really good discussion. I consider that a big plus.
The action sequences and battles are … absolutely the most awesome, breath-taking, fast paced and astounding action/battle sequences ever filmed to date. ALL of that without gore. Astounding. Our hero and heroine, you care about them, you want them to be successful. You care for the Pandoran inhabitants and can easily empathize with them. That is another big plus for such a big movie. Cameron does a good job in making sure the story doesn’t get lost in the action and artistry.
So, if you haven’t figured this out … I HIGHLY recommend the movie … for adults. I don’t think this movie is appropriate for kids under the age of 10, maybe 13. It is just simply too overwhelming. There is a lot of violence and some very scary, yet beautiful at the same time, creatures as well.
Go see it … like right now. AND see it in 3D (IMAX if possible) … you will remember it as one of those moments where our culture took a turn artistically while being highly entertained at the same time.
And after you see it come back here and lemmee know what you think
Going on Wednesday! Can’t wait.
Did you see it? What’d you think?
Oh my word! It was like eye and imagination candy. I think I gasped out loud a few times. So much freedom and strength in the physique and movement of the blue people.
The 3D gave me a headache and I slept for several hrs after but it was worth it. The Lord of the Rings are still my favorite movies but Avatar is up there too. Very Pocahontas type of story.
I want to see it again. It really was beautiful to watch.
Very good review Cheryl! thank you
My eyes were a little wigged out afterward so I hear ya’ on that.
sounds fab.. will have to take sproglets!
Avatar – Movie Review « Randy Thomas http://tinyurl.com/ybd9fbm
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