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Somehow I never got around to seeing “Avatar” during its original run after it was released in the United States on Friday 18 December 2009. It was a combination of timing – show times and my time – as well as my ambiguity in seeing a film in which an indigenous people are once again trampled upon by soldiers in the name of money. I suppose it is fitting that I’m seeing this movie on the day the United States has “officially” ended its combat mission in Iraq. Expounding on the ill-conceived entry into that country is a topic for another post One thing is for sure, the real final ending of the War In Iraq will not be as tidy and triumphant as I suspect “Avatar’s" ending to be. Actually it is the new 3D technology that has intrigue my curiosity and is my prime motivation for finally seeing this film and hey, I get to see an additional eight minutes (though I don’t know which minutes those are) that weren’t in the original release and for the same price. What a deal!
“Avatar” is the end chapter of Earth’s intrusion on Pandora and its indigenous people, the Na’vi, and tells the story of the final three plus months through the eyes of paraplegic former Marine corporal Jake Sully and his human/Na’vi hybrid avatar. My one complaint about “Avatar” is that it is the end of the Pandora story, not the beginning. When was Pandora discovered? Who made First Contact? How long has there been a human presence on the planet? I suppose the answers to these questions will have to wait for the prequels – if that is the plan.
The three components of humanity represented on Pandora are Business (Parker Selfridge), Military (Colonel Miles Quaritch), Scientific (Dr. Grace Augustine) with protagonist Jake Sully straddling the military and the scientific. Business is the prime mover for Earth’s interest in Pandora – the mineral unobtanium is worth millions and Parker Selfridge (perhaps named for the company that owns Monopoly and for the UK department store, though in the singular form?) focuses only on that. Parker cares nothing for the Na’vi or Pandora and has avoided learning anything except as it relates to getting the mineral. He does not see.
In charge of protecting the business interest, Quaritch’s only assessment of the Na’vi is how hard they are to kill and their weaponry. As is usual in military situations, the Colonel degrades the opposition and needs for them to be lesser than the humans. After all, if there is respect or admiration for the enemy perhaps there would be second thoughts about annihilating the Na’vi which others came to have. However, Quaritch never sees.
As the lead scientist, Grace Augustine is in charge of the Avatar program which links the mind of a human with its human/Na’vi hybrid body (did the Na’vi give informed consent for use of their genetic material?), allowing direct interaction with Pandora and the Na’vi. Between her study of the native fauna and flora, along with teaching the Na’vi English and learning the Na’vi language, Grace has come to understand that the real value of Pandora is the neural network linking all the living entities. Grace sees.
Former Marine Jake Sully becomes part of the Scientific component when he replaces his dead twin in the Avatar program. However, he is still loyal to the Military side of his life and agrees to tell Quaritch anything he learns that could help in an attack on the Na’vi. In exchange for his information, Quaritch promises the paraplegic Jake that he will arrange for Jake to have the spinal surgery which will allow him to walk again. But in his avatar, Jake has complete mobility and when he is taught the ways of the Na’vi by Neytin, Jake eventually changes his view of Pandora and becomes one of the Na’vi. Jake completely sees.
Of course, in the end the humans are defeated because some of the humans side with the Na’vi, who surely would have lost without their human allies. Humans as destroyers of indigenous people, humans as saviors of indigenous people. Same story, different planet, expected outcome. The film does not make clear, besides the rifles, if any other technology was left behind, e.g. the base and/or shuttlecrafts. Could be an important element for any sequels – humanity still a part of Pandora in addition to the humans who opted to stay there.
As stated above, I was primarily curious about experiencing “Avatar’s” 3D technology. Well, the 3D wasn’t always consistent – I don’t know if it was the movie theatre (it wasn’t an IMAX one), my position in the theatre (perhaps being further back would have helped), or the 3D glasses (they weren’t wrap arounds). It was good when I actually perceived the 3D, but I don’t think it added much to the viewing of the film. A side effect of watching the 3D film was the distortion in my vision afterwards. I think this may have to do with the fact I wear contacts and the combination of the 3D glasses changed the focus of my eyes temporarily. Walking around immediately after seeing the film was unsettling. Though I like the idea of 3D, it may not be the best viewing option for me. Will have to try the IMAX version of a 3D film next time to see if the same side effect occurs.
Film Facts: Director/Writer/Editor/Producer: James Cameron, Cinematographer: Mauro Fiore, Editors: John Refoua, Stephen E. Rivkin, Musician: James Horner, Producers: Brooke Breton, Laeta Kalogridis, Jon Landau, Josh McLaglen, Janace Tashjian, Peter M. Tobyansen, Colin Wilson, Production Companies: Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Dune Entertainment, Giant Studios, Ingenious Film Partners, Lightstorm Entertainment
Film Type: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Cast: Sam Worthington (Jake Sully), Zoe Saldana (Neytin), Sigourney Weaver (Dr. Grace Augustine), Stephen Lang (Colonel Miles Quaritch), Joel Moore (Norm Spellman), Giovanni Ribisi (Parker Selfridge), Michelle Rodriguez (Trudy Chacon), Laz Alonso (Tsu’tey), Wes Studi (Eytukan) CCH Pounder (Moat), Dileep Rao (Dr. Max Patel), Matt Gerald (Corporal Lyle Wainfleet), Sean Anthony Moran (Private Fike), Jason Whyte (Cryo Vault Med Tech), Scott Lawrence (Venture Star Crew Chief), Length: 171’, Language: English, Countries: United States, United Kingdom, Year: 2009 (Special Edition 2010)
Film Trailer
United States release date Friday 27 August 2010 (Special Edition)
Images:
Left: Zoe Saldana as Neytin and Sam Worthington as Jake Sully from the website scifimoviepage.com
Center: Graphic interpretation of “Avatar: Special Edition 3D” created by Adrean Darce Brent
“Avatar” is the end chapter of Earth’s intrusion on Pandora and its indigenous people, the Na’vi, and tells the story of the final three plus months through the eyes of paraplegic former Marine corporal Jake Sully and his human/Na’vi hybrid avatar. My one complaint about “Avatar” is that it is the end of the Pandora story, not the beginning. When was Pandora discovered? Who made First Contact? How long has there been a human presence on the planet? I suppose the answers to these questions will have to wait for the prequels – if that is the plan.
The three components of humanity represented on Pandora are Business (Parker Selfridge), Military (Colonel Miles Quaritch), Scientific (Dr. Grace Augustine) with protagonist Jake Sully straddling the military and the scientific. Business is the prime mover for Earth’s interest in Pandora – the mineral unobtanium is worth millions and Parker Selfridge (perhaps named for the company that owns Monopoly and for the UK department store, though in the singular form?) focuses only on that. Parker cares nothing for the Na’vi or Pandora and has avoided learning anything except as it relates to getting the mineral. He does not see.
In charge of protecting the business interest, Quaritch’s only assessment of the Na’vi is how hard they are to kill and their weaponry. As is usual in military situations, the Colonel degrades the opposition and needs for them to be lesser than the humans. After all, if there is respect or admiration for the enemy perhaps there would be second thoughts about annihilating the Na’vi which others came to have. However, Quaritch never sees.
As the lead scientist, Grace Augustine is in charge of the Avatar program which links the mind of a human with its human/Na’vi hybrid body (did the Na’vi give informed consent for use of their genetic material?), allowing direct interaction with Pandora and the Na’vi. Between her study of the native fauna and flora, along with teaching the Na’vi English and learning the Na’vi language, Grace has come to understand that the real value of Pandora is the neural network linking all the living entities. Grace sees.
Former Marine Jake Sully becomes part of the Scientific component when he replaces his dead twin in the Avatar program. However, he is still loyal to the Military side of his life and agrees to tell Quaritch anything he learns that could help in an attack on the Na’vi. In exchange for his information, Quaritch promises the paraplegic Jake that he will arrange for Jake to have the spinal surgery which will allow him to walk again. But in his avatar, Jake has complete mobility and when he is taught the ways of the Na’vi by Neytin, Jake eventually changes his view of Pandora and becomes one of the Na’vi. Jake completely sees.
Of course, in the end the humans are defeated because some of the humans side with the Na’vi, who surely would have lost without their human allies. Humans as destroyers of indigenous people, humans as saviors of indigenous people. Same story, different planet, expected outcome. The film does not make clear, besides the rifles, if any other technology was left behind, e.g. the base and/or shuttlecrafts. Could be an important element for any sequels – humanity still a part of Pandora in addition to the humans who opted to stay there.
As stated above, I was primarily curious about experiencing “Avatar’s” 3D technology. Well, the 3D wasn’t always consistent – I don’t know if it was the movie theatre (it wasn’t an IMAX one), my position in the theatre (perhaps being further back would have helped), or the 3D glasses (they weren’t wrap arounds). It was good when I actually perceived the 3D, but I don’t think it added much to the viewing of the film. A side effect of watching the 3D film was the distortion in my vision afterwards. I think this may have to do with the fact I wear contacts and the combination of the 3D glasses changed the focus of my eyes temporarily. Walking around immediately after seeing the film was unsettling. Though I like the idea of 3D, it may not be the best viewing option for me. Will have to try the IMAX version of a 3D film next time to see if the same side effect occurs.
Film Facts: Director/Writer/Editor/Producer: James Cameron, Cinematographer: Mauro Fiore, Editors: John Refoua, Stephen E. Rivkin, Musician: James Horner, Producers: Brooke Breton, Laeta Kalogridis, Jon Landau, Josh McLaglen, Janace Tashjian, Peter M. Tobyansen, Colin Wilson, Production Companies: Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Dune Entertainment, Giant Studios, Ingenious Film Partners, Lightstorm Entertainment
Film Type: Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Cast: Sam Worthington (Jake Sully), Zoe Saldana (Neytin), Sigourney Weaver (Dr. Grace Augustine), Stephen Lang (Colonel Miles Quaritch), Joel Moore (Norm Spellman), Giovanni Ribisi (Parker Selfridge), Michelle Rodriguez (Trudy Chacon), Laz Alonso (Tsu’tey), Wes Studi (Eytukan) CCH Pounder (Moat), Dileep Rao (Dr. Max Patel), Matt Gerald (Corporal Lyle Wainfleet), Sean Anthony Moran (Private Fike), Jason Whyte (Cryo Vault Med Tech), Scott Lawrence (Venture Star Crew Chief), Length: 171’, Language: English, Countries: United States, United Kingdom, Year: 2009 (Special Edition 2010)
Film Trailer
United States release date Friday 27 August 2010 (Special Edition)
Images:
Left: Zoe Saldana as Neytin and Sam Worthington as Jake Sully from the website scifimoviepage.com
Center: Graphic interpretation of “Avatar: Special Edition 3D” created by Adrean Darce Brent
Right: “Avatar: Special Edition 3D” poster from the website filmtotaal.nl
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