Avatar

Avatar (2009)

Director: James Cameron

Writer: James Cameron

Cast: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez, Stephen Lang, Giovanni Ribisi, Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Wes Studi, Laz Alonso, Dileep Rao

Synopsis:

When his brother is killed in a robbery, paraplegic marine Jake Sully (Worthington) is offered his place on a mission to mining facility on the distant world of Pandora. The mission involves using giant genetically engineered "avatars" to learn more about the planet's indigenous species the Na'vi. Dr. Grace Augustine (Weaver), the head scientist of the program, want to use the avatars to get a better understanding of the Na'vi's culture and their connection to Pandora. However, the facility's administrator Parker Selfridge (Ribisi) and his head of security Col. Quatrich (Lang) see the Na'vi as obstacles and seek to move them or eliminate them. Jake is successful in getting close to a local tribe, particularly the chief's daughter Neytri (Saldana) but as a former marine he is torn between his sense of duty to Quatrich and his growing feelings for Neytiri and her people. 

First Impressions:

Like just about everyone else on the planet in 2009, I saw Avatar in theaters more than once. It was a certified phenomenon at the time. Not only did it popularize 3D movies, a trend which is only now starting to peter out, but it was also a pretty good piece of science-fiction. My first viewing of the film was in 3D and to say I was impressed would be an understatement. It was the only film I'd seen to that point (and after) where 3D technology actually added to the movie-watching experience. I wasn't alone in this feeling as the film was one of, if not the, first films to bring in more than $1 billion. Unfortunately, it was a victim of bad timing, for as highly regarded as the film was, it released right at the beginning of the juggernaut that was the MCU and it faded from public consciousness pretty quickly. I've always liked the film, despite some of the inane criticism directed at it years after its release. 

Story/Direction: 

"This is how it's done. when people are sittin' on shit that you want, you make 'em your enemy. Then you're justified in taking it."

There are a number of themes present in the film, many of which are still relevant some 13 years after the its release, the most obvious of which is the environment. Writer/director James Cameron took great pains to portray the the cost of industrialization, first by giving the audience a glimpse of the neon and concrete dystopia that earth became. To drive his point home he makes sure to show us the contrast between the untouched jungles of Pandora with the barren wasteland surrounding the mining operation. It's a perfect visual reminder for the situation the world currently finds itself in. Finally, he makes sure to treat us to a few scenes of pristine wilderness being toppled by enormous machines just to drive home the point a bit more. 

Another theme that's at the forefront of Avatar is that of the treatment of indigenous people in many parts of the world. Once again, it's an issue that was a concern when the film was released and has probably gained more prominence in the intervening years, particularly in Canada. The humans' treatment of the Na'vi is ripped right out of the history books and includes residential schools (though not nearly as bad in the movie as in real life), forced relocation and attempted genocide. It's a sad reminder that for some people in the world, the Colonial Era never really ended. 

The final theme I want to touch on is one that has certainly become more prevalent in the world lately and that is getting lost in our technology. The avatars act as vessels that humans can transfer their consciousness into temporarily. While technology like that probably seemed like science-fiction when Cameron wrote the script, it's getting closer to reality more than a decade later. Using the avatar, Jake is able to do so many things that he otherwise wouldn't normally be able to do, such as walk and run. Even if we take away all of the other things going on in the film, it would be easy for Jake to get lost in this other body because it offers him so much that his own body can't. As a society, we're certainly experiencing something similar, with online video games and the burgeoning metaverse. However, the twist here is that by using the avatar, Jake isn't hiding from his true self but rather embracing the simpler life that was otherwise denied him. 

Finally, I want to touch on a bit of criticism directed at this film, in particular the accusations that its a "White Savior" film. While there are stories and movies that certainly fall into this category, I don't think Avatar is one of them. Most people see a film like this and assume because a white dude is the protagonist and he helps a group of natives ward off an external threat that somehow its he's a white savior. The thing is that Jake doesn't really save the Na'vi, they save him. I'm not not talking about the body but rather the spirit. That's why I think that these type of criticisms directed at this film (and others like Dance With Wolves and The Last Samurai) miss the mark because the writers aren't making a statement on how backwards these cultures are and how they need to be saved from themselves. They're actually making a statement on how backwards our culture is and how we need to be saved from ourselves. 

Acting/Characters:

As I've noted on a number of occasions, James Cameron has a real talent for writing deep and interesting characters and this film is no different. From an acting standpoint, it's mostly pretty good nut there's a little bit of meh in there too. Let's start out with the film's protagonist Jake sully played by Sam Worthington. I'm not gonna lie, Worthington isn't exactly Laurence Olivier out there but he does a pretty good job considering much of his performance is covered by CGI. There's not a ton of nuance in his performance but it gets the job done for the most part.

On the other hand, I think Zoe Saldana does a fantastic job as Neytiri. First off, as a character, Neytiri follows the James Cameron tradition of strong, fully-formed female characters that exist independently of the male lead. She's intelligent and capable, but at the same time is flawed and relatable and that's what makes a good heroic character. As for Saldana's performance, I think she really does a good job with character.

I also want to highlight Stephen Lang's performance as the primary antagonist Col. Quatrich. Man, what a piece of shit this guy is and Lang plays him to a tee. Lang brings an intensity to the character that let's the audience know that you don't mess with this dude. Cameron is also a master at developing really interesting villains and Quatrich is no exception.

Visual/Special Effects:

As mentioned earlier, the visuals were the primary reason this film got as much attention as it did back in the day. I think this is one of the only films our there that 3D really is the best way to view it and it does lose a bit when watching on the small screen but it still looks pretty damn good. The CGI environments look lush and alien, the character models still look pretty good and the performance capture technology was really able to bring out the emotions in the actors' faces. I think one of the high points for the special effects in this film is that even the water is CGI and I couldn't even tell. You know you've gotten CGI right when you can put it in a film and the audience doesn't know its there. I'd say that even 13 years later the special effects still look better than many more recently released films. 

Score/Soundtrack:

Well, this is my second straight review for a film whose score was composed by James Horner. Once again, I think he did a great job. The score is epic in scope and fit in so well not just with the action on screen but also with the world that Cameron created. There's an...ethereal quality to the music that fits so well with the alien surroundings of Pandora. At that same time, it reminds me, in a good way, of a score from the 80s. It's really one of those rare moments when a film's music and its content mesh perfectly together. 

Action:

The action is also pretty well done in the film and it contains a number of exciting set pieces. I think my favorite bit is the final battle in the third act (which I won't spoil just in case you're one of the three people that hasn't seen this film). Other great sequences include Jake's attempt to tame a flying creature, the attack on the Na'vi village and Jake's attempts to survive the jungle at night. Cameron has a talent for shooting action sequences that's on full display in this film.

Final Verdict:

After this most recent viewing, I'd say my appreciation for this film has actually grown. It touches on several themes that are still relevant today (probably more so) and it's visuals and action hold up. If you haven't seen it yet, check it out it's a pretty fun ride and if you have, it might be a good time to revisit it. Plus, with news that the film is being re-released in theaters, it might be a good opportunity to see it in the manner it was intended to be seen. It really is best viewed on the big screen (the bigger, the better).