Director: James Cameron
Producers: James Cameron and Jon Landau
Editing: J. Cameron, J. Refoua, and S. E. Rivkin
Composer: James Horner
Starring:
- Sam Worthington as Jake Sully
- Stephen Lang as Colonel Miles Quaritch
- Sigourney Weaver as Dr. Grace Augustine
- Zoe Saldana as Neytrii
- Michelle Rodriguez as Trudy Chacon
- Giovanni Ribisi as Parker Selfridge
Plot and Critical Review: By 2148 humans have severely depleted Earth's natural resources. In 2154 the RDA Corporation mines for a valuable mineral—unobtanium—on Pandora, a densely-forested habitable moon of the gas giant Polyphemus in the Alpha Centauri star system. Pandora, whose atmosphere is poisonous to humans, is inhabited by the Na'vi, 10-foot tall, blue-skinned, sapient humanoids who live in harmony with nature and worship a mother goddess called Eywa.
To explore Pandora's biosphere, scientists use Na'vi-human hybrids called 'avatars', operated by genetically matched humans; wherefore Jake Sully, a paraplegic former marine, replaces his deceased twin brother Tom as an operator. Dr. Grace Augustine, head of the Avatar Program, considers Sully an inadequate replacement and assigns him as a bodyguard. While protecting the avatars of Grace and scientist Norm Spellman as they collect biological data, Jake's avatar is attacked and is rescued by Neytiri, a female Na'vi. She takes him to her clan where Neytiri's mother Mo'at, the clan's spiritual leader, orders her daughter to initiate Jake into their society.
Colonel Miles Quaritch, head of RDA's private security force, promises Jake that the company will restore his legs if he gathers intelligence about the Na'vi on grounds that Hometree (the Na’vi’s dwelling) sits atop the richest deposit of unobtanium in the area. When Grace learns of this she transfers herself, Jake, and Norm to an outpost. Over three months Jake grows to sympathize with the natives. After Jake is initiated into the tribe he and Neytiri choose each other as mates. Soon afterward Jake reveals his change of allegiance when he attempts to disable a bulldozer that threatens to destroy a sacred Na'vi site. When Quaritch shows a videograph of Jake's attack to Administrator Parker Selfridge, Selfridge orders Hometree destroyed.
Despite Grace's argument that destroying Hometree could damage the Biological neural network native to Pandora, Selfridge orders Jake and Grace to convince the Na'vi to evacuate. When this fails, Quaritch's forces destroy Hometree, killing Neytiri's father and many others. Mo'at frees Jake and Grace; but they are detached from their avatars and imprisoned. Pilot Trudy Chacón, disgusted by Quaritch's brutality, carries them to Grace's outpost. Grace is injured during the escape.
To regain the Na'vi's trust, Jake captures Toruk, a dragon-like predator feared and honoured in Na'vi history. Jake goes to the Tree of Souls and pleads with Mo'at to heal Grace. The clan attempts to transfer Grace from her human body into her avatar with the aid of the Tree; but she succumbs to her injuries before the process can complete.
Supported by the new chief Tsu'tey, who acts as Jake's translator, Jake speaks to unite the clan and tells them to gather other clans for battle against the RDA. On the eve of battle Jake prays to Eywa and intercedes on behalf of the Na'vi. Orbital satellites relay images of the Na’vi army to Quaritch who orders a pre-emptive strike to destroy the Tree of Souls, believing that its destruction will demoralize the natives.
During the subsequent battle, the Na'vi suffer heavy casualties but are rescued when Pandoran wildlife unexpectedly join the attack and overwhelm the humans. Jake destroys a makeshift bomber before it can reach the Tree of Souls.
-
Let’s go ahead and address the most obvious criticism that this movie has faced; yes, the story looks a lot like that of Pocahontas. The dashing warrior finds himself in enemy territory and, through a series of most unlikely events, falls in love with the princess. He fights for her, wins her love, and must make a most difficult decision which will decide their fate. But the two stories differ in one all-important aspect; John Smith never became a member of the Powhatan tribes. In “Avatar” Jake Sully willingly breaks ties with RDA and the space marines to become one with “the people”, to become a full member of the Na’vi society. He follows that desire to his death and (we’re made to think) resurrection.
“Avatar” opened to overwhelming praise for its superior design, innovative use of 3D technology, and exceptional cast. As the years of filming and production on “Avatar” rolled on many thought Cameron was reaching too far with such an ambitious project. The costs kept increasing and rumors suggested that James Cameron was pouring money into – pardon the pun – a sinking ship. He was especially criticized for having stepped almost entirely out of Hollywood’s spotlight; having directed only 3 films (none of which met noteworthy success) since “Titanic” in 1997. But it was the success of “Titanic” that drove Cameron toward a new level of perfection in cinematic production. His dedication paid off, and it paid in cash. Here are some of the domestic box office figures:
Opening Night (Midnight Showing Only): $3.5 Million
Opening Day: $26 Million
Opening Weekend: $77 Million
“Avatar” became the highest-grossing film of all time only 41 days after its international release. In case you’d not noticed, Mr. Cameron holds the #1 and #2 spot on that list.
My Rating: 8/10
Content to Caution:
V-3.5 - Small and large-scale battles abound.
L-2.5 – Space Marines…you know how it goes.
DU-1 – No comment.
RT-3.5 – The story is based on racial discrimination and the Na’vi are clearly treated as second-class creatures.
H/S-3 – Very exciting!
CH-1 – No comment.
S/N-2 –The Na’vi wear “skimpy” loincloth-type garments. In the Extended Edition there is a scene of intimacy between Jake and Neytiri.
The "Reel Revelation": "Can I Come In?"
Perhaps you know what it feels like to be an outsider. Moving to a new place, starting in a new position, or even becoming a member of a new family can hold incredible delight and a sense of adventure. But when we enter into such a situation our excitement can be diminished by a sense of fear that we won’t be accepted; we fear we’ll become and remain an outsider in the eyes of those around new to us. We fear we’ll be left alone.
Much of the drama of “Avatar” is tied up in Jake Sully’s effort to integrate himself into Na’vi society. While his avatar allows him to appear as one of the Na’vi he is immediately rejected for being a “dream walker”; a human “pilot” in a Na’vi body. Jake persists, however, and the Na’vi require him to endure a rigorous set of challenges to prove that he is a man (in the Na’vi sense) in order to become a true warrior and one of “the people”. Can you think of any challenges you've had to overcome (hoops you've had to jump through, etc.) to go from being an outsider to someone who’s welcomed and accepted? Can you think of a time when you made someone else prove themself in order to gain your acceptance?
One need not look far in the Bible to see that God is deeply interested in bringing the outsiders inside! God sees those who have separated themselves from Him through sin; God sees them and loves them. God looks at us and asks us do to the same. Consider St. Paul’s words from Colossians:
“Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to respond to each person.” (Colossians 4:5-6)
“Making the most of the opportunity”.
Go back into your personal experience and think of a time when someone took advantage of an opportunity to bring you “into the fold”. Think of how that made you feel, knowing that someone was actively pursuing you and genuinely desired that you feel welcome and at home. Are we as quick to act if such an opportunity were to arise with someone “outside” of God’s love? We all know at least one person who’s on the fringes. Like a child watching a sports game from a distance and longing to play there are countless who watch from afar and wish they could be a part of God’s family. Whatever they might say about themselves, their behavior, or their history, God yearns for them to be “inside” with the family of faith. Will you stand guard and hold the door open for those who are about to come home?
During Lent we’re reminded that we were once outsiders, too. Led by sin and Satan’s empty promises we wandered away from God’s plan. We opted for baser pleasures instead of turning to Christ and following His example of righteousness and love. But God has made a way for us to get back inside, a pathway for us to rejoin the family, a doorway by which we come into the fold. Our Lenten journey beings and ends at the food of that sacred doorway, at the foot of barren cross which bore Jesus, the Lamb of God.
See you tomorrow - E.T.
No comments:
Post a Comment