Overview of Avatar

Rating: 9/10 (1 August 2010)

In the beginning of the movie, Avatar, it is learned that Sam Worthington's character, Jake Sully, is the twin brother of a scientist who has died; leaving Jake to take his place on Pandora for the Avatar program. Since they are twins, he can connect with his brother's Avatar. When he first arrives, being in a wheelchair and no training, Dr. Grace Augustine (Sigourney Weaver) does not approve of his presence. Since they cannot breathe the air there, the Avatar's allowed them to venture into the outside world and try to connect with the other Na'vi that are the inhabitants of Pandora. While out gathering samples, Jake Sully gets separated from Grace and finds himself surrounded by "dog- like" creatures that are trying to kill him. This is where he meets Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) who helps him, then yells at him, because they should not have had to kill those creatures, they are part of the planet.
While on their way, Neytiri sees a sign from Eywa, the mother of the planet who holds "live spirits." Through Eywa, Neytiri understands that Jake Sully was sent to them for a reason and that she must take him back to her people. Once back, Tsu'tey (Laz Alonso) disapproves of Jake Sully's presence. Tsu'tey is next in line to take over as ruler of the Na'vi. When Jake Sully awakes from his state of mind, he explains to Grace and COL Quaritch (Stephen Lang) of his progress and success. COL Quaritch convinces Jake Sully to help him move the Na'vi off their land in order for them to have unlimited to the mineral deposit growing under their home. Along the journey, Neytiri teaches Jake Sully the ways of the people, to be a hunter, to ride a flying banshee, and they fall in love.
Jake Sully betrays COL Quaritch when he tells the people they must move because his old people are coming to take their land and for their safety they must move. In doing so, Jake Sully tells the truth to the Na'vi that is first purpose was to befriend them and gain their trust in order to convince them to move, but that in the end he became one of them and loved Neytiri. Jake Sully convinces Tsu'tey to fight with him and to gather the Na'vi from all over the planet in order to defeat the humans. While many lives are lost, the Na'vi win and Jake Sully becomes permanently Na'vi.
One of the themes to me in the movie is that love is patient and conquers all. This is seen through the whole movie as Jake Sully and Neytiri slowly fall in love for each other, even though they are from two completely different worlds. Even after Jake Sully betrays Neytiri, she in the end forgives him and the live on together as Na'vi. The lighting in this movie was very important when it came to the Ewya spirits and when they are at the "tree of voices." The whole planet is brought to life through lighting and visual effects. They help keep you drawn in and show you that something special is about to happen. They highlight keep parts of the movie that have special meaning to the Na'vi. Because the Ewya spirits and "tree of voices" is so important to the Na'vi, giving them special lighting effects plays a vital role. Using different angles while filming was also important to getting everything you could from the movie. When Neytiri jumps off a tall tree down to the ground, you see how much Jake Sully trusts in her when he does the same. When you look up from Neytiri's view and then down from Jake Sully you see how far he has to fall. When Jake Sully is flying on the banshee the different views help you to understand the danger that he is in. The fight scenes from different angles also help one to get a full view of the war between the humans and the Na'vi. The Na'vi are fighting for their home land and their livelihood. The lighting and the angles, help you to understand the emotions between Neytiri and Jake Sully and the love that grows between them and overcomes the obstacles placed before them.