First things first: The story would make Christopher Vogler proud, but it’s predictable in every way. The computer graphics are amazing, especially with how they work with the real life film. At times, I couldn’t tell which was which. And I applaud Cameron’s imagination to create this amazing world with the animal and plant life. That imagination testifies to God’s creativity implanted in us.
But (spoiler alert!) the ending fails.
In the beginning, the scientists talk about their desire to coexist with the Na’vi on Pandora. Yet, in the end, this does not happen. Not really. One guy becomes a Na’vi through spiritual intervention, and the Na’vi choose a couple of humans to remain on Pandora. But Cameron gives us no reason to believe that humans and Na’vi will attempt to live together peacefully, bringing together their two different cultures.
We all cheer when the military fails to destory the sacred place of the Na’vi. We did not want the U.S. military to conquer and dominate. But I’m not sure the Na’vi kicking out the military completely is a satisfying ending either. Where’s the peace and harmony in this?
Also, Avatar offers no real redemption. They lost a great opportunity to do so with Parker Selfridge’s character (nice name, huh?). Jake Sully warned Parker that he did not want that kind of blood on his hands. And Parker seems to show hints of regret. They could have developed that more–his remorse and repentance. Instead, they focus on the Na’vi, with guns and arrows pointed at the military, kicking them all out.
I’m not saying I’m on the side of the military. Clearly, the military were wrong and selfish and consumerist-driven. This calls for justice. But justice doesn’t exclude redemption.
One last complaint: Cameron created straw men. Is there truth embedded in the characters he created–in this innocent native group and imperialistic military group? Yes. Of course. But he took this to the extreme. The innocent natives are only innocent and the imperialistic military and corporate guys are only impirialistic. The only type of redemption, then, available in this system is to become a native. In other words, to be saved, you have to leave your culture and enter into another culture rather than work with Christ to change the culture in which you live so that every culture will bow at the name of Christ.
No real redemption. No peace and harmony between people groups. That’s why Avatar fails.
I love how your brain works. Anymore, I go to the movies to be entertained. Intentionally. I shut my brain off because otherwise the movies end up making me mad.
That said, I agree that they simplified the personalities down so that there almost wasn’t any left by the end–and therefore, little real plot complexity or chance for redemption (because only real people can be redeemed!) or even real triumph. On the other hand, the flying was spectacular.
Yes, the imagination of creating that world and all it entailed made it worth the movie, especially in 3D. I wish I wasn’t disappointed in the story line.
I think The Help, which I recently finished, does a good job of telling a story of one people group taking advantage of the other without removing the complexities of character and situations.
Good thoughts! I haven’t seen it. Probably will wait until it gets to redbox.
I will say that I liked seeing it in 3D for the coolness factor.
I’m glad you wrote this — after seeing the film, I completely agree, straw men and all. While the graphics and the color and the life in this other-world was completely beautiful and imaginative, it was the extremism that bothered me. They made up for lack of good story telling with a heavy-handed eco-political anti-imperialist message, with a good dose of pantheism thrown in for good measure. I agree that the military’s motives were bad, but at the end … that commander lost all believability for me. He was a caricature.
I almost felt like the computer graphics was a slight of hand so we wouldn’t notice the shallow storytelling.
I see your point, Heather, but ultimately I disagree. I know you’re not necessarily saying that we should expect great art from a Hollywood blockbuster—most movies are meant to make money, not be art. So if we can take away a little joy from a flick, or even some inspiration, then we should be thrilled. But…predictability in a Hollywood film? What do you expect? How many different stories are there to actually tell? American audiences certainly don’t want to be challenged too much, so “predictable” is the order of the day for most.
But coexistence…I don’t think Cameron actually wanted us to see humans and Na’vi coexisting peacefully on Pandora. To coexist is beautiful and desirable, but Cameron’s universe is not perfect. We already know this since his reflects ours, and in a way he’s simply being honest. The ending is not perfect, but that’s real. And it sets up potential sequels, which is what Cameron has intended from the beginning.
I agree that Selfridge and the Colonel’s characters are fairly two-dimensional, but I did see repentance. Cameron created a larger-than-life story, and although Selfridge and the Colonel did not change, Sully and Trudy’s military characters show that change could happen. The Na’vi are not perfect either. Neytiri’s brother only lets up on his arrogance because he was brow-beaten by Sully’s capture of the Toruk. Was he truly humbled? Who knows.
No, I don’t think the movie is perfect. But I do think it succeeded. Avatar is what it’s creator intended it to be: a fun and industry-changing movie that hung together surprisingly well. To expect much more is to expect too much, although I believe we can always hope for more. (With that said, I’m still trying to figure out how to critique a secular movie when looking out from a Christian paradigm!)
But one thing a good movie should engender, and in this Avatar also succeeds: a good discussion.
Note: The “spiritual” intervention was not from a god, it was from a biological entity. A global intellect and being, yes, but still biological. The natives might have believed in their god, but early in the movie Sigourney Weaver’s character was examining the planet-spanning biological network that made up this being.
You’re right in that Cameron succeeded in his intent. But I will continue to expect more from a movie. Many movies have shown that can be done, that we can tell an old story without being predictable, that we can have entertainment and complex characters (exhibit A: Pixar).
I agree that it is a biological network, but Eywa is still a goddess. As in Christianity, something can be both spiritual and biological.
I’ve been debating whether to spend $10 and 3 hours of my life on this movie. Much as I would like to experience the special effects in the theater, the complaints about the story keep holding me back. Special effects are great, but to me it’s all about story. Think I’ll give this one a miss…
You nailed it — slight of hand to so one isn’t so aware of the shallow story line!
But the comment –
“American audiences certainly don’t want to be challenged too much, so “predictable” is the order of the day for most.” OUCH!
Of course, numerous exceptions exist.
And I think American audiences like a certain type of challenge, perhaps, if that makes sense.