Is Avatar The Future Earth?

Written By: mike on October 1, 2010 No Comment

The movie tells the story of a future Earth, in a time where the planets resources have been depleted and humans struggle to survive. A corporation is trying to mine a rare mineral that could be the solution to Earth’s energy problems. This mineral called unobtanium, is found in the moon Pandora which is inhabited by peaceful and loving blue-skinned, seven feet tall humanoids, called the Na’vi, who exist in perfect harmony with nature.

The humans are in conflict with the Na’vi because one of their clans is settled around a Tree that has the mineral that they want. Jake Sully, a veteran marine wounded in combat that became a paraplegic, is selected for the project Avatar, a project that transports the mind of the scientists to an artificial Na’vi body to make communication with the natives easier. His mission is to negotiate with the natives, to convince them to move their clan to another place, so that the humans can obtain the mineral. If that is not successful he is to report to his supervisor the weakness of the clan so they can take the tree by force if necessary.

At the beginning, Jake is very professional about his mission, he reports to his commander and follows protocol at all times, but as the mission progresses and he gets to know the people and the culture, he falls in love with them, and starts doubting the validity of the mission. He knows that if the Na’vi don’t give up their land the humans are going to take it by force, killing everything and everyone that stands in their way. As he realizes the Na’vi will never give up their land, he must decide what side he’s going to take and if his willing to pay the price of his decision.

Not only filled with incredible, cutting edge effects, it opens the room for political, racial and moral discussions of all kinds, the writer and director James Cameron says the real theme of the movie is respect for others. I personally believe that if you want to take anything from this movie that’s really what it should be, the respect for your peers, your home, the animals, the Earth, because someday we may not have them anymore.

Slow at times but the special effect more than make up for it. The scenic shots are breathtaking, there is so much beauty that you can’t help forgetting about everything else, and with the 3D animation it feels so real you have to remind yourself you are sitting in the movie theater. There is no doubt that James Cameron is one of the best writers and directors of our times.

If you haven’t seen it I recommend you do, it’s definitely one of those movies where the gas, the ticket and the food you bought at the movie theater is worth it. You won’t finish this movie feeling you lost two hours of your life, where you could have been doing something more productive, knitting a sweater or walking the dog, like all good movies it will give you something to think about.