In Defense of Avatar... and Cameron

Rating: 10/10 (30 January 2010)

First of all, to all the cynics out there who bash the story and dialogue or whatever else they want to take issue with, I have to say: you're missing the point.
This movie is visually amazing. And as a film has to be visually compelling first and foremost (that is the point), this film succeeds like no other film in the history of film-making.
Those cynics who cry foul over story, dialogue, etc. should go read a book, for what they seek, psychologically and philosophically exhaustive tales, don't come in movie form. Never have and never will. And while I do digress, I'm reminded of a paper I wrote at UCLA for the class Film Adaptation whose thesis was that among the many theories on interpreting the process of film adaptation there should exist the theory "augmentation." In other words, while a book can be adapted many different ways, it can also be augmented or made greater by a film because it affects more senses more greatly. Plainly, through a rich visual and auditory experience the viewer is more poignantly affected, and on and on and on...
To borrow from my theory, which I'm proud to say I invented (you can check with Miss McHugh on that!) a film intrinsically has as its goal to visually ensnare and impress, usually to the end of entertainment. Avatar breaks ground here and will forever change motion pictures - those that divorce this fact from their rating or criticism have automatically taken themselves out of the realm of intelligent discourse on the subject. I surmise that they don't have the education in film history or academia, nor in literature, to have realized their omission.
I personally give Mr. Cameron a lot of credit for daring to make this film. It almost goes without saying, that the cynics are jealous or a bit underdeveloped as people.
Since I don't want to drag this out too long, my summary: Cameron made a film that would most likely be enjoyed by the greatest number of people. Some call this appealing to the lowest common denominator and attach negative connotations therefore. But what they posit as dim - is actually intelligent. I can't imagine an esoteric film ever being popular or successful. This film had to be both. It's succeeded beyond even its makers' most optimistic dreams. It's math, and not subject to debate.
Furthermore, Cameron made a film that would be loved by teenagers - who of all demographics go to the same movie multiple times the most. They will also buy the video game, Halloween costumes, sodas, etc. And yes, popularity is a valid measure of a film's greatness and deserved rating. Those that are unaware of these facts simply aren't well educated.
As a writer, finally, I applaud you Mr. Cameron. You have excellently captured the universal theme of humanity's reconciliation of God, war and love – you've exemplified them in your characters and story. And without sacrificing any popularity. It's ironic that the most brilliant technological filmmaker ever could be called a neophyte writer or anything for that matter- clearly intelligence is not lacking. The neophytes are the ones who blab without knowledge and illogically conclude that you are not making a choice. Thank you for an OUTSTANDING FILM, A CULTURAL PHENOMENON, A TON OF JOY, AND A PREEMINENT LIFETIME EXPERIENCE! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!