AVATAR
Starring Sam Worthington
Directed/Written by James Cameron
Avatar, Schmavatar
Avatar tugged at me emotionally from time to time, like a well-oiled machine that knows how to manipulate an audience. But for all the grandeur and effects, the anticipation and spectacle, when you cut through the hood what you’re left with is a big cartoon, a story burdened by cliches and a failed attempt to be politically relevant. Someone in the film actually uses the term “shock and awe” (Iraq war anyone?) when describing what the big bad military, working for the big bad corporation, is about to do to the nature-loving Navi, the indigenous population of the planet Pandora.
One might expect a bit more originality and punch for all the time and effort. James Cameron makes great films (can you say Terminator and T2) but this time falters, leaving us with a mind-numbing effects-laden battle between bad humans and good aliens (assisted by a few human turncoats). To be sure, the world of Pandora is beautifully rendered, filled with interesting creatures and an ecosystem that is equally imaginative. But the overall impression is somewhat cartoonish on a visual level. The Navi are like Roger Rabbit with serious faces, better effects and taller frames. Who Framed Roger Rabbit? had a madcap tone to match its cartoonish characters. Here the film is played serious.
The best thing about Avatar is Sam Worthington, the engaging lead. I didn’t care for him in Terminator Salvation, but playing Jake Sully, the paraplegic Marine at the center of the film, he brings a spark of life to what is otherwise a familiar tale, albeit a loud and colorful one. We follow him willingly as he uses an avatar to infiltrate the Navi and learn about their world. But the plot never surprises and no amount of visual effects or pyrotechnics can change that.
Predictably, Jake becomes fond of the indigenous tribe, learns valuable lessons and falls in love (yes, you guessed it, with the Navi princess), joining them in their fight for survival. The supporting actors, like Sigourney Weaver and Giovanni Ribisi, excellent in other roles, seem misplaced or miscast here. Perhaps it’s because they’re humans stuck in a world where they don’t belong. The film itself seems disjointed, mostly segregating the humans from Navi, cutting back and forth between scenes with real people in science labs and military facilities, and the splendor of Pandora, until the impressive climactic battle brings them together.
Avatar does have an interesting idea at its core, humans transferrng their consciousness into a living organism (the avatar), part human, part alien, that allows them to experience a new world. But in the end, instead of big ideas and unexpected developments, we’re left with disparate worlds, too many cliches and a large dose of shock and awe.
6½ out of 10 (not recommended) on the Movie Fraction Rating System™
[Note: Avatar is showing on regular screens, IMAX and 3D. I saw the film on a regular screen. Viewing it IMAX or 3D would certainly be an enhanced experience and might have changed the nature of my review. But I suspect the added screen size and visual tricks would simply up the spectacle level.]
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
While I agree with most of your comments, I whole heartedly disagree with your conclusion. I found the classic story of, the discovery of a new world and way of life by people set to exploit it for their own gain, familiar and relative. Which allowed me to engage in and be sucked into the experience. In this case the Humans are the aliens showing up to “wipe Out” the plant and its natives. (great) the use of new technology to help illustrate and bring the story to life in a new way. (Excellent) I was absolutely entertained for my money. If more movies could just deliver that I would be a happy consumer. GO SEE IT AND ENJOY THE RIDE
“I See You”
While Avatar was a familiar story….white boy falls in love with native princess……I thought Sam Worthington was just as engaging (and HOT) whether human or 10 foot tall blue Na’vi and Zoe Saldana’s Nateri was feisty and experiencing the wonders of Pandora through her eyes was facinating. The similarities to Aliens was undeniable but also entertaining. The Robot machine was an updated version the one “Ripley-Sigourney Weaver” used but totally cooler and the “company man” Giovanni Ribisi was not as unlikeable as Paul Riser’s “Burke”.
The 3-D effects were unlike any other 3-D movie you’ve seen before…more than once I’ve waved off bugs or jungle debris floating through my vision.
I totally recommend this movie and will be seeing it for the second time tomorrow!