The last time James Cameron put his director hat on for a
feature film was 13 years ago when he gave us Titanic. Love it or hate it you
could not deny the impact that film had. To see it in the theater was
unforgettable. This time he again shows that if you are going to do something
then make it larger, grander, and more stunning than anything yet seen. AVATAR
is a world all its own and possibly one of the better CGI films ever created.
It is 40% live action which makes it so much more than another animated
adventure. The planet of Pandora contains a world that reminds us why movies
are made.
The story revolves around a group of human scientists, who,
in order to better understand a distant planets indigenous race, create AVATARS
that are a mix of both species' DNA. The Avatars are controlled remotely by the
human hosts. The Us Military also has its sites on the planet but more for a
natural resource that is found to be worth billions. When they decide to take
the element by force it is up to the Avatars to help save the planets
inhabitants. It escalates into an all out war of compassion versus power.
Not since Lord of the Rings have I seen a world of such detail
and unique creation. It is so full of imagination and beauty that when added
with the depth of 3-D animation it literally sucks you in and submerges you. The
battle sequences are flawless and a perfect balance of nature versus machine. Though
close to 3 hours in length it moves so fluidly and is paced so well that you
get caught up in everything around you and time flies by. It is so easy to
assume what this film is about from the trailer. But until you see it in full
you will not be able to grasp all of the depth and emotional journey the
characters go through. It will at times take your breath away.
There is a message too about mother earth and how we are all
connected in some way by an underlying, unseen force. It does not shine a very
positive light on the military mindset and their destructive nature. It is a
film that distinctly divides the tree huggers from the NRA lifetime members.
But there is a fantasy about it that will hopefully stir those on both sides to
think about our planet more and how we not only treat it but our fellow
inhabitants, both foreign and domestic. This is not a heavy handed message nor
does it play like a public service announcement. It is just another element
that causes the movie to be so powerful and moving.
Avatar is rated PG-13 for intense epic battle sequences and
warfare, sensuality, language and some smoking. This is a fair rating and
though the preteens may enjoy the sites of this planet the language and themes
may be a bit much. The expletives, though mild, are rampant throughout. It is
also worth mentioning that the indigenous people are just that. And although
blue and CGI in creation they wear very little clothing. There is nothing
sexual about this but parents need to be aware that it is there. I give Avatar
4.5 out of 5 rites of passage. Avatar has four Golden Globe nominations
including Best Motion Picture Drama and best director. Cameron is back with a
vengeance and this is one Pandora's Box that you need to open fully. So says
Matt Mungle
NOW
ON DVD and Blu-ray
