Environmental Blues

Rating: 10/10 (30 March 2010)

As a hunter, I enjoy being out in the wilderness. I love walking through the woods, "bonding" with the environment, and observing nature. James Cameron's Avatar gave a totally different meaning to "bonding" with the environment. He wrote and directed this science fiction phenomenon about another almost earth-like world, called Pandora. Scientists and U.S Soldiers, in the year 2154, made a six year journey from Earth to Pandora. The military's presence was to provide protection against the "hostile" natives while attempting to retrieve a natural resource which proved to be extremely abundant only on Pandora. This resource had a hefty buying price back on Earth. The scientists' graced the planet with their presence in order to conduct research on the relationship between the native Na'vi people and the environment. Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), a paraplegic jar head, was summoned by the scientists to take the place of his dead twin brother. His brother's role was to control the Avatar which was created from his DNA. The Avatar would go to waste unless Jake would take his brother's place. Controlling an Avatar was beneficial for Jake because he got the sensation of being able to use his lower extremities again. Dr. Grace Augustine (Sigourney Weaver) unhappily brought Jake along when she conducted research in her Avatar body. Their goal was to conduct research, befriend the natives, and learn more about how they live. Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang) spoke with Jake about his situation. He told Jake to listen to everything Dr. Augustine told him to do, befriend the natives, but report back to him. Essentially, Jake was a double agent. His mission, according to Colonel Quaritich, was to befriend the natives and attempt to have them move out of their current location, which sat on the largest deposit of the valuable natural resource that the military was hunting. Jake Sully was carrying out the order as dictated by Colonel Quaritich, because upon completion of his mission, he was promised the expensive surgery that would give him use of his legs. After spending more and more time with the natives, he fell in love with the land and a native, Neytiri (Zoe Saldana). This complicated his mission and his motive. Does he sell out the natives and the land he has come to love and admire or does he betray his country, his commander, and give up the chance to get use of his real legs? Torn between the two, Jake Sully had to make the hardest decision of his life, who to support.
Avatar was a very well written and directed movie. The special effects were top of the line and the technology was incredibly creative. The fighting that occurred was very detailed and well thought out. The animals on Pandora looked similar to real animals on Earth with some added ferociousness. The vividness of the Avatars and their interaction with the environment was cleverly portrayed. The floating mountains, the structure of the Na'vi's home tree, and the flying creatures were incredible in regards to the special effects. Sitting in the Regal Theatres in Harrisburg, I thought to myself, "James Cameron should be talking to our Secretary of Defense." If the military technology present in this movie actually existed, we would win any war within days of its start. The projection touch screen technology present in the science labs and on the military crafts gave an added aspect of precision to their function. The newly created helicopters and military shuttles proved to be armored and strong. The armored suits, controlled by sensory receptors attached to the person inside the suit, would be an absolute asset in Iraq that would protect our troops. The plot was creative, intriguing, and easy to follow. The movie was lengthy: two hours and forty-three minutes, but it flew by. There was never a time in the movie when I was curious "what time it was" or "when is this going to over."
The movie was rated PG-13 due to some language and violence. The fighting and the military technology helped to make this an epic guy movie. The movie was not gory but some of the creatures and the violence might not be suitable for younger children. Some people may not have liked the idea of Avatars being able to connect their hair with animals and the environment to become one with them, but I believe it added a unique aspect to the movie; something, that to my knowledge, has yet to be attempted. The only thing I did not enjoy in the movie was the dancing and chanting of the Na'vi people when summoning the Great Ewa. This happened several times throughout the movie and was crucial to the plot, but I felt that the ritual was rather unique in a not so good kind of way. The actors and actresses were casted perfectly for the roles they played. James Cameron really used his imagination to come up with different parts of this movie: the floating mountains, Avatars becoming one with the environment and animals, and his views of how technology might work in the future. I would have to rank this movie as one of the best in the year 2009—it's a must see.