James Cameron's "Avatar"
After the frenzied weekend rush was over with, I finally went to see the much anticipated film from James Cameron. I had watched all of the trailers and clips online, and the hype had sucked me in, especially since I'm a big fan of good sci-fi films.
I could easily begin with string of superlatives and adjectives aimed at describing the impact of this movie, but none of them would truly do the film justice. There are those who have said that this movie is a visual feast but lacks depth in its storyline. While this statement does have its level of truth, I don't see that as a downside.
Many writers will tell you that when it comes to stories, there is nothing new in the world, be it romance, tragedy or good vs. evil. I would tend to agree with that statement since a movie can have a very simple story premise, but can deliver that story in a very compelling fashion, such is the case with "Avatar". One could even go so far as to say the story is predictable, but once again I have seen many good films where one could predict the outcome early on, but it made the ending or the telling no less enjoyable.
The one crucial element required for any science fiction to succeed is the age old saying of...
"Suspension of disbelief"
This vital piece of movie magic is where "Avatar" shines, and does so at a level never before seen by my eyes. If Cameron's competitors were concerned about high this film was going to raise the bar, I would suggest that they start buying stock in Grecian Formula to hide all of the gray hairs they are going to grow. "Avatar" doesn't simply raise the level of movie effects, it ties a rocket to it and blasts it as far into deep space as the mythical world of Pandora. I personally have a hard time visualizing how you could make this kind of film-making look more convincing.
The world of Pandora literally transports you to a place like you have never seen before, it is this strength alone that more than compensates for any storyline "weakness" that might be perceived. The visual impact of any film has always been what sells the goods, as anyone who has ever seen a well acted, but low budget "B" movie can attest.
While it becomes immediately apparent that not even the most minute portion of any set or background of Pandora was borrowed from any place on this planet, the fauna and wildlife appear seamlessly at home. The more dangerous creatures may bear some slight resemblance to predators we have seen on the Discovery Channel, but only by their build and movement. This fact is also swallowed up by your brain as being completely natural for this alien environment.
The other visual area that "Avatar" truly excels in is that of the native tribe's movement and expression. Computer animation has grown by leaps and bounds in the past twenty years, and it has given comic style characters a magnificent shot in the arm. Action films have benefited from the ability to perform stunts otherwise unheard of, and the ability to create "extras" as well as stunning backdrops, all of these attributes are employed in "Avatar" but at a level of detail far exceeding any predecessor.
Just as it is with humans, each member of the native tribe has their own unique look, and their facial expressions are so detailed, their emotions so readily recognized and their movements so fluid and natural, you almost have to pinch yourself to realize that you're not looking at human actors in make-up. This presentation of the main character's plight of being ridden to a wheelchair in "real life", as opposed to his ability to function far beyond any human capacity while linked to his avatar body, draws you into the blurred line of which existence is of greater value. He has everything to live for in this vicarious world, but his only access to it is by way of unscrupulous and greedy wealth mongers. These qualities that he is forced to choose between emulate many real world situations.
The native tribes of Pandora also appear to have much in common with the Native American of ages gone by. Their beliefs in the connections between Earth and mankind, as well as all that surrounds us is something this film presents on a highly augmented level. I have read where some critics have called this film a sci-fi version of "Dances with Wolves", and while I must admit there are common themes, Kevin Costner's classic still is an outstanding cinematic work to this day. I would regard this comparison as a high form of flattery, both in story and presentation.
All told, "Avatar" is indeed a lush feast for the eyes, and if the story is considered to be lacking depth, I submit many of the great truths of life are some of the most basic. With that in mind, this film still made me laugh, made me hope and cheer, made me feel the pain of loss, the tension of fear and the misty eyes of sorrow. From the sweeping vistas to the battle cries of young warriors who ride dragon-like creatures as if they were giant eagles, "Avatar" is an immersion for the senses, and an experience to be savored and certainly not to be missed.
Timmy
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