‘Avatar’ Movie Review – Good, Bad and Indifferent (Spoiler Alert!!)
Posted by Monkey 1 in: All News, Latest Pics, Movie Reviews, MoviesBeware, gentle reader. I talk about the movie here so if you don't want to have the plotline ruined, go see the movie then come back and share your thoughts.
So I rushed out and saw Avatar last night. I caught the very first showing at our local theater and was a little surprised that it wasn't sold out considering the attention leading up to opening night! That said, we got our tickets, were gouged at the candy counter and found our ideal seats for what we hoped would be THE movie of the year. I won't say we came away disappointed but it left some to be desired. Read on..
Avatar - The Good:
To be sure, James Cameron is a brilliant film maker. The movie was visually stunning which is what I was looking forward to. The hype for me was al about the visual and here, JC - (hmmm, that feels wrong), James Cameron did not disappoint. For the most part, you really feel the size and scope of the planet of Pandora where the whole movie takes place. The film jumps back and forth between live action and animation so seamlessly. From the humans home base and machinery to the magical planet of Pandora and its in, you just can't be sure at times whether you are seeing amazing costumes or amazing animation! I never cease to be amazed at what the film industry is able to convince me of through stunning CGI.
Zoe Saldana as Neytiri
That is not to say that there some flaws but that would be nitpicking. Avatar gets full marks for imagery. Giovanni Ribisi', while mostly a two dimensional character with limited screen exposure, did what he did best - I've always had a soft spot for him. Sigourney Weaver reminded me of what a solid performer she is. No matter what type of film she is in, she always stands out. Zoe Saldana played Neytiri of the Na'vi. It is always revealing when an actor is forced to perform without actually being seen. Saldana has shown herself to be a pretty good actor here - I was actually surprised! Watch for more of her I'm sure.
Avatar - The Bad:
The plot. Big bad company run by white stereotypes oppresses native tree dwellers. Weak, weak weak. I kind of expected the cliche of 'Big Bad Corporation' vs 'The Environment' be it earthly or alien. These types of movies usually can't do both imagery and originality well at the same time so I was prepared to forgive some of that. What I didn't expect was the frustration I felt at the theme of the movie. The whole premise of 'white guilt' was so glaringly overdone here that I was nauseous. From the handicapped white marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) finding redemption by coming to the aid of and eventually leading the oppressed indigenous peoples, to the social worker (Weaver) bringing 'Education' to the natives (like they needed it), to Neytiri (Saldana) who, like most of the Na'vi, emoted a mostly black character in every sense - from how she expressed anger to how she expressed grief, I felt smothered by the concept of the great white evil hell bent on the mindless destruction of Pandora and its <insert white-oppressed race here> people for their own selfish needs.
Unrivaled CGI but so much more could have been done!
This was such a lazy, unbalanced portrayal of good vs evil that it sullied (see what I did there?) the overall beauty of the movie. I find it sad that Cameron took such an unthinking approach to the plot.
One blogger referenced in a very good blog at i09 commented;
"By the end of the film you're left wondering why the film needed the Jake Sully character at all. The film could have done just as well by focusing on an actual Na'vi native who comes into contact with crazy humans who have no respect for the environment. I can just see the explanation: "Well, we need someone (an avatar) for the audience to connect with. A normal guy will work better than these tall blue people." However, this is the type of thinking that molds all leads as white male characters (blank slates for the audience to project themselves upon) unless your name is Will Smith."
This I think will be the topic of many an online diatribe. Maybe that is what Cameron had in mind. Or maybe the plot was an afterthought. This was easily the weakest part of Avatar and managed to offend whites, blacks and natives, ironically, equally.
Avatar - The Indifferent
Frankly, I made no connection with many of the characters. I whole-heartedly agree with the questionable need for Sam Worthington's character and his performance was really quite forgettable. The human technology was cool but under-developed as was many of the supporting performances.
Overall, the movie was good fun and certainly should get some awards for the epic scale that the visuals created. I may try and see it in IMAX just for the experience. There is very much a 'wow' factor throughout. Just be prepared to work very hard to tune out the plot!
I think it would make a great read and will probably buy the book too.
What did you think?
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