The story is “Pocahontas.” It’s “Dances With Wolves.” It’s in your history textbook. This year, it’s “Avatar.”
James Cameron’s version stands out from the rest because of what happens in the plot line at the end of the violent clash. Yes, there is much to be said about the flim’s stunning use of technology, both on screen and behind the scenes. Future humans control a Marine base light years from Earth, computers like sheets of glass, and machines which transfer one’s mental capacity to a different body. On the planet of Pandora, the native Na’vi people live among vivid colors and mesmerizing scenery.
But unlike previous reincarnations of the plot, Cameron builds up the recognizable and extensive social metaphor, only to end it with death and destruction. Over the course of the movie, the audience grows to hate the Commander and his inexplicable desire to crush the Na’vi people. We are angered by his thickheaded refusal to see the value in another culture and his quick resort to violence as a highway to power. Then our hero, Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), leads his new people on the same path. And all of a sudden, we cheer as the Na’vi crush the humans, dismantle their technology, and send arrows into their leader’s heart.
What is worse is Cameron’s reversal of the role of Mother Nature. We know this character, represented by the Tree of Souls in “Avatar,” to possess foresight, calm sagacity, and a desire for cosmic justice. “Our Great Mother does not take sides, Jake. She protects only the balance of life,” Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) advises Jake as he prays for aid in his upcoming campaign. We are thus lead to expect Eywa to resolve the conflict and quench the hatred, Pocahontas-style. But Cameron switches the formula mid-combat, and we are too victory-bent to realize the ploy. Mother Nature puts on battle armor and finishes off the slaughter of the humans. She sacrifices her creatures left and right, until the earlier outcry at unnecessary death becomes consigned to oblivion.
If “Avatar” had begun a story of war -- either of the horror or the glory -- I would not protest. I reject, however, Cameron’s commandeering of a tale that usually gives us hope for a peaceful solution and possible coexistence. I instead left the theatre surrounded by movie-goers’ battle cries, disheartened and disillusioned.
A friend put her finger on the issue: Cameron compromised the moral high ground for box office success.
“Yes,” I said, “he caved.”
“Avatar” grossed over $77 million on its opening weekend, and has made over $429 million at the box office altogether (“Box Office”). Clearly, the compromise is working for Cameron.
Works Cited:
“Box Office - Movies." New York Times. Web. 11 Jan. 2010.
I really like all of the issues you bring up here. They are all very refreshing and things I had not put as much thought into when I was viewing the film. You have a very strong opening which emphasizes the film's unoriginality. You also have very good support for your opinions. It is very clear that the movie was a bit of a disappointment for you, but I was hoping you would have given more of your opinion of what type of people might like the movie, as not everyone will reject the film. But in general, it is one of the more interesting film reviews I have read so far. Your writing style and honest ideas make for a well-respected assessment. Great job!
ReplyDeleteYour review was filled with a lot honesty and strong opinions and you back them up which i liked a lot. But mentioning what you thought of the cinematography would have added a lot more to the review. Also, i must agree with tiffany, you might want to talk about what type of people would enjoy this movie by comparing it to other films, because not everyone may have the same taste in movies as you do. Your writing is very well done and i enjoyed the review :)
ReplyDeleteGreat job tackling some important issues on a very thoughtful level. I love the honesty that you brought to your piece. I think it accomplishes exactly what any good journalistic piece should do, and that is to prompt discussion and debate. You write with intensity, though not an exorbinant amount, and your language clearly establishes your authority. Great work, though I just want to be clear: you would rather that Cameron had not flipped the classic plot on its head than have mother nature destroy humans, right? I was just a bit confused in the middle of the article.
ReplyDeleteWhile I don't agree with your assessment of the film, I'm thrilled to see that you included the colonel in your review (an interesting character to be sure).
ReplyDeleteIt felt a little like you contradicted yourself, or maybe forgot you had made the point. At the beginning you mention that it's the same story we've read in history books but then seem upset that the story did not have an uplifting peaceful ending. I felt that Cameron sold out by ending the film on the hopeful note he did. If this were really the story from our textbooks then there wouldn't have been any Na'vi people left, let alone such a promising future for the group. While the circumstances are much more comparable to the conquest of the Americas, the outcome does ring of the Haitian Revolution where the oppressed minorities successful gained power and expelled the oppressors. In either case, peaceful coexistence doesn't seem realistic.
Alex, I found your review to be engaging and honest. I think you chose a strong angle and effectively supported it. I found your intro. paragraph captivating, and it immediately provided focus for the review. This review also gave me a different perspective on the movie. While reading it, I began to recognize things I hadn't necessarily paid much attention to while watching the film. I do agree with Tiffany and Johanna. Though your opinion of the film is very clear, others will have differing opinions, and perhaps you could've suggested the type of audience that would be attracted to this film. Overall, however, I found this review to be really interesting and thought provoking, good job !
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