Avatar

As I mentioned in my last post, Shawn and I went to see Avatar on Friday. If you haven't heard of this movie yet then you must be living in a void because they have been talking about it for months now! James Cameron (director of Titanic) is the mastermind behind this movie. He has been dreaming up this film for over 10 years and finally has created the technology to make it possible. Special 3D cameras were created to allow the style of this film to become a reality, as well as some kind of headset that allowed the actors to visualize themselves in the environment of the planet Pandora while they were acting in motion-capture suits on green-screens.  There is much more to this aspect that I learned in an interview with Sigourney Weaver on The Daily Show.  She plays scientist, Dr. Grace Augustine in the film.  I will try to find a video of this interview because it was quite interesting.

This film takes place on a planet called Pandora.  Paraplegic Marine, Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), is working with a team of scientists led by Dr. Augustine (Weaver) to study the planet of Pandora as well as the inhabitants, called the Na'vi.  He is also reporting to the military as he tries to find something the Na'vi people might want so that the military can negotiate a relocation due to their home being located on a huge reserve of a very precious, valuable mineral to the people of Earth.  Jake agrees to help the military in exchage for a sugery that will restore the use of his legs.  Dr. Augustine has created an "Avatar" identity for Jake (as well as herself and others) that allow them to explore the native environment and people.  Problems arise that cause some ethical dilemma's for Jake as he meets Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) and she begins to teach him the ways of the Na'vi. 

The planet of Pandora was created in such detail that during the movie you really do feel as though you are there.  A linguist was hired by Cameron to create the Na'vi language and all the unique creatures were created specially for the unique environment of Pandora.  The reason there are scientists studying Pandora is partly due to it's unique biological nature.  The entire planet, including plants, trees, animals, as well as the Na'vi, seems to be interconnected by a series of neronal-like networks.  The Na'vi can literally connect there minds with the other life forms on the planet so the entire world is working in harmony.  One of the things about Pandora that was visually so interesting was the was this life force within the plants, animal and Na'vi shown out them.  Literally...there was a bioluminescence that eminated from all living things.  The Na'vi diety, called Ehwa, guided and protected this force.  It is hard to explain but extremely interesting and made visually for a stunning world that I wish really existed because I want to go there!

Shawn described this movie as a cross between Ferngully and Dances with Wolves, and I think that is a fairly good description.  As in Ferngully, the natives are trying to make the humans realized that the forest has a life force that is worth protecting and living in sync with while the humans simply want to come through and destroy for monetary gain.  Dances with Wolves is comparable just as other movies about the destruction of the Native American way of life are reflected in this film.  The people of Earth find something they want and simply because they are ignorant and money hungry the look past the unique aspects of the native people and try to displace them from their home and their way of life.  The message throughout the film is very touching and due to the amazingly realistic nature of the world of Pandora and the people of the Na'vi, you feel as though you are part of it.  The movie was quite long (over 2-1/2 hours) but it didn't feel that way at all.  I found myself gripping Shawns hand tightly many times because I was so involved in the film.  And of course we can't leave out the several times that I cried.  This film is one of the best movies I have seen and I can't wait to see it again!