By Anifowoshe George
What’s the big fuss about a super-hero movie? We’ve been seeing them since we were kids. It’s probably the usual ‘‘hero whips the villain’s ass, saves the world and goes home with the prom queen.
These are few of the many thoughts on my mind when I reluctantly trudged into the cinema hall to see the much hyped movie-Avatar. With my pop-corn in hand and a can of drink to go with it, I settled for a vintage and cozy position to have a clear view of the much-talked about master piece.
I was bent on getting every penny’s worth; it’s not everyday that one goes to the cinema (if you know what I mean). My interest in the movie was triggered when I saw the flier displaying renowned movie maker James Cameron as the writer/ director of the flick. He’s one the few directors in Hollywood that seem to have great passion for their work.
Even years of success and record breaking feats with the 1997 block buster TITANIC has not made him complacent. Rather, it has made a better director, one who has perfected his art.
And so the movie Avatar begins!
The story, a Cameron original, is about Jake Sully – a disabled former US marine (Sam Worthington) coming to Pandora to help the evil corporation mine Unobtainium by using the human/Na’vi hybrid creatures (an avatar, if you will) to talk to the locals. Not much thought is given to the surrogate body which is kept in a mind-transforming machine (the mind enters the body of the avatar).
Sully quickly falls in with the local tribe. Luckily for him, the Na’vi he runs into is Neytiri, who falls into pretty human standards of sex appeal, although the tail necessitates a two-layer thong design.
When Jake gets into the tribe, the usual nonsense happens (jealous boyfriend, disapproving dad, prophetic mom) that leads to a Native American style test of manhood. Neytiri is however able to convince the clan that he means no harm.
Reluctantly, her father (head of the clan) accepts him and instructs his daughter to teach him their ways. Then there’s this middle part of the movie, wherein Jake is led through the forest by Neytiri and is taught the ins and outs of the jungle. This is the best part of the movie. Everything is just about great, with no humans to break up the illusion. The animals are great and imaginative (exactly what you’ll get from Cameron!). Jake learns to ride the six-legged alien horse, fly the alien lizard bird, and then gets to bed with the hot alien chick under a brain tree.
However, things take an awful twist when Sulley’s superior suspects his spy senses are being overshadowed by sentiments or perhaps love! He‘s recalled from the mission and the good ol’ way of getting it by force is employed. Thus the war of the humans and the avatars begins!
Predictably, Sulley becomes a rebel choosing to take sides with the hybrid creatures in the war against the humans (the Na’vis are not impressed, they label him a betrayer). When the invasion starts, Sulley turns out to be the one who leads the inferior foes against the more technologically advanced humans.
The scenes where the humans gain the upper hand in blowing the native out of the ‘‘land’’ or out of the forest is as exciting as you can get in any movie plus the animation is near impeccable. Like all superhero flicks, the Na’vis overcome the humans and take them prisoners. Of course, Sulley ends up with his sweetheart and they live happily ever after right?
There’s very little wrong with this film and many right. Although it may not be loved by everyone, Avatar is a movie you’ll want to have in your collection. I had my doubts going into this movie, but Cameron came through for me one more time.
The good
And so the sci-fi movie showed it was worth the hype preceding it release
- Cameron uses great technology to transport viewers to the war-ridden world of Pandora where Jake is sent to learn the ways of the Na’vi and help the humans take over.
- Visual master piece meant to be seen in IMAX 3-D theaters-it will take you on a ride and blow you away.
- The special effects are impeccable and beautifully woven around the story
- Cameron was able to create a world of his own with the movie which makes you feel as if you are been transported into a new world while watching the film.
- The acting came out extremely well-the actors emotions showed all through the avatar character. Zoe Saldana gave an especially emotional and commanding performance.
The Bad
The movie serves us the usual edge-of-your-seat stuff but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few flaws.
- No originality in the movie although it was clean and well delivered.
- The plot was awfully predictable- Not an out of the box story; we’re quite familiar with the bad guy gone good story!
Quick Avatar facts
- The movie has displaced Titanic off the highest- grossing film pinnacle within just two months of debuting on the big screen.
- Avatar has brought in 1.859billion US dollars (1.146 billion pounds) at the box office, passing the 1.843 (1.142 billion pounds) worldwide record set by 1997’s Titanic
- It has been number one at the box office for six straight weeks with a domestic total of 554.9 million US dollars (334 million pounds).
- Has mined 1.3 billion US dollars (805 million pounds) in international sales smashing the 1.24 billion US dollars (768 million pounds) mark previously set by Titanic.
- The 3D film stars Zoe Saldana, Sigoumey Weaver and Sam Worthington and features brand new motion-capture filming effects.
- The high grossing film which has dominated theaters world-wide scooped the best director, the best original Scoe and the Best Film-Drama gongs at the Golden Globes.
- Avatar is up for nine (9) nominations at the forthcoming Oscars
2 comments
You missed something in the “Bad” section. white man saves the natives once again. Well, er, he also becomes one of the natives, actually leading them in resistance. “Dance With Wolves” or “The Last Samurai” take your pick. boring and passe, Mr. Cameron.
Wonder what parts of our African cultures he mashed up to come up with the Na’vi.
still a great movie
really lovd d movie, but it was stil a mash btw disney classics tarzan, poccahontas, atlantis, and mor i probably havnt watchd.