Cameron's Magnum Opus - More relevant today than ever...

Rating: 9/10 (10 March 2020)

It is 11 years since James Cameron brought AVATAR to cinema screens, where it proved to be one of the most stunning releases (and most successful) Films of all time. So why have I chosen to write a Review of it now? Well, a belated Sequel will arrive next year and in the decade or so since this Film's release it seems the message of the Filmmaker appears to have been largely ignored by the very people who needed to understand it!
The premise is simple - Mankind have now colonised a new world - 'Pandora' - a largely unspoilt and staggeringly beautiful world in which mankind have a small base. Also living on Pandora are the indigenous people (the na'vi') and a plethora of wildlife. Unfortunately, the Human presence is a 'Commercial' enterprise with a large Military capability that sees Pandora as nothing more than yet another place to exploit for rare minerals and therefore expendable.
A Scientific Programme has been set up in the hope of 'persuading' the Na'vi to let the human contingent mine where they want by moving out of the way. The Programme uses 'Avatars' - humans that are transported into 'na'vi bodies - to help them study and convert the locals. Enter Jake Sully, a young ex-marine in a wheelchair, whose twin Brother was on the Programme until murdered. Initially meeting scepticism and derision from the other Scientists, Sully slowly begins to realise what is really at stake on Pandora - and that he will have to make a momentous decision - who or what - to fight for?
The Film astounded audiences back in 2009 as it's Special Effects were SO far ahead of anything else. Even 11 years later they are still spectacular (and in my opinion superior to most recent Sci-Fi releases). The Pandorian world and ecosystem is designed and shown in HUGE depth, Scientifically thought out and spectacularly brought to life on the screen. But this is not just a gorgeous cinematic eye-fest - the motion Capture of the na'vi actors ensures that they are brought to life in a graceful and realistic manner. This is vital for the Film's central Drama - when WE begin to destroy environments that do not belong to us, who do we decide is right - or wrong? James Cameron has always loved 'hard wear' - and it is in AVATAR in abundance - the Humans are the ones in metal, plastic and armed to the teeth. The na'vi are in absolute harmony with their ecosystem and world - all of their culture is naturalistic - textiles, wood and other plant materials. They even ride some of the creatures symbiotically- especially the flying 'Dragons'. Even their religious and sacred beliefs are totally bound to the ecology.
All of this shows that Cameron is making a statement - we as the audience KNOW we should want the Humans in the Film to be noble, moral and empathetic - but they mostly come across as anything but. The na'vi are the ones that evoke our reaction - they are courageous, noble, sincere and generous. It is not long before the na'vi are forced to battle for their own world, with the Scientific Team and Jake Sully forced to choose a side.
Of course, this is a direct mirror of what we have done to our own planet - Global Warming, Climate Change, destruction of rainforest, ruthless pillaging of natural resources and dumping of waste and pollution. There were many people who didn't like the message that Cameron and AVATAR presented and I have read some of the reviews here .
This Film is a landmark of Science Fiction - a genre that has consistently been ignored by 'serious' Film Critics. Yet, AVATAR's message was - and remains - a very serious one. We destroy the natural world at our peril and, in the decade since it's original release, this message is even MORE relevant now.
The Film was recently surpassed by 'Avengers: Endgame' as the top-grosser BUT AVATAR remains the FAR superior Film. James Cameron's passion for this project - and the issues it highlights - are there on the screen for audiences to see. Even a decade later this remains a glorious landmark for the Genre - and a timely warning for us all of what we could lose...