Figure 1: Film Poster
Avatar is a 2009 American epic science fiction film written and directed by James Cameron. The developing of the film started in 1994 but it came out in 2009 because the necessary technology was not yet available to achieve the film’s vision. The film's title refers to the genetically engineered Na'vi-human hybrid bodies used by a team of researchers to interact with the natives of Pandora. Avatar received harsh film reviews because of the money it budgeted. Avatar officially budgeted $237 million. The film became the highest-grossing film of all time and received numerous awards. The movie is about a group of people mining a valuable mineral in a moon planet called Pandora which is inhabited by Na’vis. Na’vis are 10 foot tall blue-skinned, sapient humanoids who live in harmony with nature and worship a mother goddess called Eywa.
Figure 2: Na'vi people from Pandora planet
Scientists and humans in general are doing whatever is possible to get the mineral out by killing Na’vis who defend their planet. Humans use Na'vis-human hybrids called 'avatars', operated by genetically-matched humans in order to get useful information that will lead them to locations where they can extract the mineral.
Figure 3: Na'vi human hybrid, the Avatar
Avatar is an action adventure journey of self-discovery, in the context of imperialism and deep ecology. The movie kind of lacks of good story but it’s really good filmed with really good shooting and narrative techniques. Cameron has done a great job. “Cameron lays out the fundamentals of the narrative efficiently, grabbing you at once with one eye-popping detail after another and on occasion almost losing you with some of the comically broad dialogue.” (Dargil, 2009). In the film we see a former paraplegic marine Jake Sully replaces his dead brother in the Avatar Program. He has been told that if he collects useful information he will get his legs back. In a time of 3 months he gets familiar with the Na’vis, he is introduced to the tribe and he sympathizes them.
Figure 4: Jake as an Avatar being a tribe member of Na'vis
This movie brings you in a strange and colorful alien world where you can see the perfectly computer generated images that have been carefully made. The whole movie’s CG are incredible and in general this movie is based on CG and is about technology. Although the story of the movie and the plot contain the most simplistic thoughts the animation and the graphics takes you to a magic journey. “The special effects are groundbreaking, intoxicating and totally immersive. They transport you to another world of wonder, beauty, danger and movie magic at its most colorful, convincing and compelling.” (Pond, 2010).
Figure 5: Pandora night scene
Figure 6: Pandora's nature scene
The scenes where Na’vis live and shows you the most simplistic things in life where creatures (In our case there are the Na’vis) are bonded and connected with nature. One of the best CG movies that literally took the 3D technology in a higher level.
Figure 7: Jake as an Avatar hybrid discovering the beauty of Pandora’s planet
In the end Jake change alliance and fights with the Na’vis for their planet. The movie ends with humans losing the “war” they have started against Na’vis and their planet and going back to their planet.
Figure 8: Na'vis fighting against humans
Avatar wants to pass an anti-war message and has been characterized as a “refilm” about the war in Vietnam and Afghanistan by Americans. "Avatar is not simply a sensational entertainment, although it is that. It's a technical breakthrough. It has a flat-out Green and anti-war message.” (Ebert, 2009).
Bibliography:
Roger Ebert (2009) Avatar: Film Review
(Accessed: 20/11/2011)
Neil Pond (2010) Avatar: Film Review
(Accessed: 20/11/2011)
Manohla Dargis (2009) Avatar: Film Review
(Accessed: 20/11/2011)
Illustration List:
Figure 1: Cameron, James (2009) Avatar: Film Poster
(Accessed: 20/11/2011)
Figure 2:Cameron, James (2009) Avatar: The Na’vi people from the Pandora
(Accessed: 20/11/2011)
Figure 3: Cameron, James (2009) Avatar: Na’vi human hybrid , Avatar
(Accessed: 20/11/2011)
Figure 4: Cameron, James (2009) Avatar: Jake as an Avatar being a tribe member
(Accessed: 20/11/2011)
Figure 5: Cameron, James (2009) Avatar: Pandora night scene
(Accessed: 20/11/2011)
Figure 6: Cameron, James (2009) Avatar: Pandora’s nature scene
(Accessed: 20/11/2011)
Figure 7: Cameron, James (2009) Avatar: Jake as an Avatar hybrid discovering the beauty of Pandora’s planet
(Accessed: 20/11/2011)
Figure 8: Cameron, James (2009) Avatar: Na’vis fighting against humans
(Accessed: 20/11/2011)
