Avatar - the movie

[miriam_e]

Yesterday I had perhaps the most astonishing movie-going experience of my life. I went to see Avatar on the big screen in 3D.

The first half of the movie was sumptuously beautiful... gorgeous. I kept thinking that here was some kind of substitute for our disappointing lack of progress in exploring space. I still want us to go on out there, but in the meantime I lapped up the stunningly beautiful jungles from James Cameron's mind.

The second half of the movie was action stuff. I wasn't as happy with that, though it still had me gasping in awe. I'd love to see, one day, a movie where the big bad military whoop-ass guys are brought undone without resorting to their own "hit them back harder" mentality. All it succeeds in doing is communicating to people that the answer to all problems is force. I kept hoping they would do something tricky like outmaneuvering the bad guys, or defusing the weapons.

I like when force is subverted like in John Wyndham's book "The Day of the Triffids" where the bad guys with weapons have their vehicles disabled by contaminating their fuel and the good guys simply sneak away. Or when force is used against itself like in Judo, where a smaller person has the advantage because it is easier to use the attacker's momentum against them when they are big and heavy. Or power is outmaneuvered like in Gordon R Dickson's science fiction novel "Tactics of Mistake".

But these qualms notwithstanding (now that is a weird word) I loved the movie so much that I think I shall go back for another viewing.

I implore you to see it... especially if you can see it in 3d.

Comments

[greylock.livejournal.com]

Interesting. Avatar seems to divide people.
I saw it yesterday.
Technically, it's an amazing film. And I agree the two halves are vastly different movies. Much of the first half is very much like one of those old Disney movies (Fantasia?) showing what could be shown for the sake of showing it.

The second half, I have a similar reaction to you, but I probably exist in the Cameronian school where force wins. Any other plot resolution would have required a McGuffin too.

[miriam-e.livejournal.com]

Any other plot resolution would have required a McGuffin

(slight spoilers in my reply, so drag your mouse over the text if you really want to see it)



(We now return you to your normal programme.)

[greylock.livejournal.com]

All your resolutions are acts of aggression.
And are not good in the long run.

[miriam-e.livejournal.com]

Is it aggression if you are retaliating? Violent still, but not aggressive. Defensive. But I agree with your meaning. We should find non-violent means to stop violence. Until we perfect that people will always suffer.

My suggestions do tend to capitalise on the aggressor's size and power and use that to the defender's advantage instead of letting the attacker define the terms of the conflict. This is why the most powerful, technologically advanced nation on earth got roundly defeated by a rag-tag bunch of peasants in the Vietnam War. They refused to let USA (and Australia, I'm ashamed to admit) set the terms of the conflict. Even with the most vicious, illegal warfare and weapons, "our" side could not win.

[damien-wise.livejournal.com]

This is perhaps the best review I've seen of "Avatar". You've avoided spoilers and neatly tackled the story structure, visual design and morality. Plus, some good critical points and comparisons. Thankyou!
I passed-up the chance to see it in 2D a few days ago because I'm hanging-out to see it in 3D. :)

[miriam-e.livejournal.com]

Oops. Sorry. Spoiler in my reply to greylock.
Darn. I realised he'd seen it but didn't consider others. I'll make it use spoiler font. Don't check this for a few minutes...

[greylock.livejournal.com]

See it in 3D. Good choice