Award-worthy- 5
This film is about a future where humans have discovered another planet with similar atmosphere and organisms to earth. There is a culture on this planet called “The People” and they are large, blue and cat-like. The main character is a man who used to be a soldier but must takes his brother’s place in a scientific/anthropological expedition to learn about The People. This involves his consciousness being temporarily transferred to a another body that is a combination of DNA from human and The People. He becomes assimilated into their culture and must then defend them against the militaristic human corporation that wants to wipe out The People.
Let me begin by saying that from an entertainment standpoint this is a spectacular film. Dani and I went to see this one in the theatres and it was most certainly worth it. I don’t think that I would spend the extra to see it in 3D, but I would see it on the big screen again. The visuals are breathtaking. I couldn’t help but be drawn in by the nail-biting suspense and the wondrous adventure. The main character, played by Sam Worthington, undergoes a noticeable transformation throughout the film that is endearing. Sigourney Weaver reprises her roll from Gorillas in the Mist quite well in this film. I found myself completely immersed in this movie the entire time I was watching it if the picky critic in me was turned off.
That being said, when the movie was nominated and won the Golden Globe, the picky critic in me flared up and was incensed. This film being added to the ranks of Academy Award nominees is actually offensive to me for two main reasons. The writing and story are not exceptional examples to be exalted on the Academy pedestal and I do not feel that this movie advances film as a medium, but only perpetuates the norms of similarly themed films of the past.
The biggest issue I have with the story here is that the allegory of Europeans coming to North America and encountering the natives is blatantly obvious and overly preachy. I prefer my allegory to be subtle and artful rather than bashing me over the head. Also (spoiler alert) the sickeningly happy ending steals any poignant impact the film might have had. What is it that the viewer is supposed to learn from such an ending?
The sanctimonious message of Avatar is rendered hypocritical when you truly examine the structure of this film. The audience is presented to the natives through a white, male protagonist. This same tactic can be seen countless times throughout film history in nearly every film containing Native Americans, most notably Dances with Wolves. Also this white male protagonist is not only able to become assimilated into the native culture, he must become their savior, taking the most sacred and influential role in this culture from the natives and into more “capable” hands. This is nothing new, and that is my point. In my opinion, for this film to be Oscar-worthy, the story should have involved The People saving themselves and being their own heroes.
I would also like to thank Dani for pointing out that the song at the end which ironically won best original song at the golden globes can literally have the words of “My Heart Will Go On” superimposed over the tune and it works perfectly.
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