A Legend Is Born

Every now and then a film comes along that defies logic…..but in a good way. I remember watching Star Wars as a kid and marveling for years at how fantastic the movie was to me in my mind and in my heart. Folks, I’m here to tell you we have another movie to rival the illusion, the imagination, and the wonderment of the Star Wars franchise.

Avatar is fantastic! It is nothing short of incredible. The live-action mixed with an epic blend of animation will be broken down and analyzed by every film critic alive. It revolutionizes what we see and what we feel.

I was skeptical of Avatar when I entered the movie theater. The trailers all point out director James Cameron has given us Terminator and Alien. I would laugh every time because he also brought us the almost good The Abyss and the storyline-starved Titanic. Yes, both those movies did well, but they were far short of superior. So, I was wondering which Cameron would show up. I’m thrilled it was the genius who knows he is a genius.

As arrogant as Cameron is about his movies, I can only find small faults with Avatar. Yes, they have to do with the story (as is always the case with him). But, I can’t fault the film as a whole. Far from it.

The first 90 minutes are simply breathtaking. It is a visual orgasm. Your brain is trying to keep up with what you are seeing. Your rational thinking takes a back seat to your inner child. It’s like your brain wants more candy and could care less about the roast beef. A wonderment indeed.

When you finally realize the movie has zoomed by, you also realize there is a story being told. Cameron has always been a little preachy in his films. He holds nothing back in Avatar. This time, however, the story needs to hit as hard as the visual stimulation. It is a huge world message of going green and the horrible atrocities of war. He tells it in a very direct way without alienating a widespread audience.

Avatar is set in 2154 on the planet Pandora in a time of “great sorrow.” Ecologically, Earth is non-existent. Sam Worthington plays a paraplegic former Marine, Jake Sully, who takes over his late brother’s job as part of the Avatar Program on Pandora. He literally controls the movements of the avatar.

Sigourney Weaver is back!! And I mean back!! She is one tough cookie in this movie, playing Dr. Grace Augustine. She reminds me of Ripley in Alien all over again. Her performance, which is always stellar, leaves nothing on the table. She does a terrific job, as does Worthington.

Not All Glorious

There is a little hiccup in the story. At about the 90-minute mark, the story can get a little thin. Cameron doesn’t hold back on his thoughts about the Iraq War and how it is being paralleled in the movie. He references wars on terror and “shock and awe” messages throughout the film.

The problem is Cameron never stops beating you over the head with his message. Then, it fades at the end as if he realized it was too preachy. In short, it comes on too strong after the first 90 minutes, and then peters out at the end. Nonetheless, it honestly doesn’t take away from the total film experience. It’s just Cameron’s way of venting. He does it in almost every film he makes. Also, he sets it up for a sequel. (BIG surprise, I know).

Tipping The Cap

I know this next point will likely be argued by comic book fans and movie fans for a long time to come, but I have to say I believe Cameron did a great job tipping his cap to many movies in helping to shape this film. Many will think he ripped them off, but I believe his originality holds water and he is simply honoring other movies.

For example, he adds a new language in the movie by a group of people called Na’vi. As we all know, Star Trek created Klingon as a language. Other movies given credit are The Matrix, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and even Dances With Wolves. Cameron’s applause of the great films in Avatar is fun and poignant. He doesn’t call them out as if to say he is making mincemeat of all those films. Instead, it’s as if he is reaching out and shaking their hands for clearing a path for his vision of Avatar. I admired it greatly.

Legendary Status?

No doubt people will question my reaction to this film. Anytime you throw any movie in with the likes of Star Trek, Star Wars, or LOTR, there is usually a backlash. So how will Avatar be determined as a legend? It’s simple. When I see it again, if it still blows me away time after time, I say it belongs in those ranks. All of these films are special, for both their storyline and their imagery. If it truly is a new era in film and wants to hold its place next to the greatest of the great, it will sustain multiple viewings with ease.