Avatar

"Just relax and let your mind go blank. That shouldn't be too hard for you." -Grace

James Cameron's Avatar is about crippled, ex-Marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) who goes to the alien planet of Pandora, which is being ruthlessly mined by a corporation. Sully has volunteered to take his twin brother's place after he dies and must now go amongst the natives (who are living on top of the biggest mineral deposit) in his alien "avatar" to study them and find their weaknesses. However, the more time he spends with the natives the more he comes to respect them and the more torn he becomes between the peaceful, diplomatic Dr. Grace Augustine (Sigourney Weaver) and the war-mongering Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang). And when war becomes inevitable, which side will he choose?

I'll just preface this whole thing with two facts: this is James Cameron's first film in over ten years and it cost over $250 million to make. These two facts can explain why I went to see this movie at all because it had nothing to do with the trailer. I will also say that the visuals were spectacular. Live action and animation blended seamlessly and presented the image of a beautiful and inventive alien world. And even though it was 2 1/2 hours, I was never bored. However, this is not a great movie. This is an enjoyable movie that I have now seen once but that I will never go out of my way to see again. And the reason is two words: character development. It's a novel thing that some people put in their scripts, James Cameron. I suggest you try it sometime. In fact, it was while watching this movie that I finally realized why I never liked Titanic. Rose's fiancee is unrealistically selfish and cruel and Rose and Jack are too wonderful. Same for Avatar. All the characters except for Jake are flatter than paper dolls with no complexity and little to no character motivations. Quaritch is evil because he is a Marine officer, therefore he MUST want to completely wipe out indigenous peoples and laugh about it later. Grace is the tough but fair scientist who wants to study the indigenous people, therefore she MUST sympathize wholeheartedly and unreservedly with the natives. Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) is a native princess, therefore she MUST be one with nature and commune with Mother Willow the Tree of Souls. Parker Selfridge (Giovanni Ribisi) is a businessman, therefore he MUST be a soulless corporate tool. Beautiful, James Cameron. How long did it take you to come up with these characters? As for the protagonist, Jake Sully, his "transformation" is about as stereotypical as you can get. Slightly disillusioned military man realizes the "savages" he has been sent to kill are actually wise, noble people and their nature worship is far better than our crazy civilized ideas. BORING!

On top of that, this movie is so green, it recycles the plot. Man of European descent comes to a strange place with strange people and realizes that the very thing he has been searching for is amongst the very people he was sent to fight. Also, he should fall in love with one of the natives, preferably the chief's daughter, thus making a rival out of the chief warrior.

Studio Exec: Hey, James Cameron, do you think we should change it up at all? Maybe add some unexpected twist or unique character?
James Cameron: No, if it worked for Pocahontas and Dances with Wolves, it will work for us!
Studio Exec: But do you think people will notice that we ripped off a bunch of other movies?
James Cameron: I already set it on an alien planet which I've cleverly named Pandora! What more do you want?
Studio Exec: Touche.

Ignoring the blatant rip-offs, let's examine the plot itself. I'm sick of movies about the "noble savage" and this movie doesn't redeem them in my eyes. I suppose this goes along with characters but can someone please explain why the natives are all perfect while we're all corrupt!? Note to Rousseau, those "noble savages" become us. Which means that the corrupt people in our society are in their's too! They are not perfect! We are not horrible! Once again, flat and stereotypical. The rest of the plot had several amusing plot holes which include Quaritch's ability to identify individual natives, the fact that Jake must be chosen by a banshee but can use any old "Last Shadow," and the fact that Jake's twin in never mentioned again after the first 15 minutes.

As I am quickly running out of time and space, I would like to add a couple final points. The acting, especially the voice performance by Zoe Saldana, were amazing and at times, completely heart-wrenching. Also, James Cameron is a master of emotional manipulation which is how he gets away with as much as he does. I recommend it for a one time viewing specifically for the graphics, but if you keep the above quote in mind, you'll enjoy the whole thing! 3 stars.

P.S.-Listen for the credit song and think fondly back to Titanic...