Review: Avatar

One has to ask when reviewing a movie what factors need to be considered. Is it just the quality of the film in terms of the story and acting? Is it the emotion it invokes? Is it the pure entertainment factor? Really all that varies on the particular movie at hand.

Avatar though is completely unique and really doesn’t fit into any typical category. No film has ever been as ambitious yet it totally pulls it off. James Cameron waited years for the technology to arrive that could deliver his vision. It was well worth that wait and the result could end up strongly influencing the film industry going forward.

The story focuses on a paralyzed ex-Marine that is provided the opportunity to control an “avatar”. That being has been grown based on a mix of human DNA (providing a connection) and that of the “Navi” species the inhabitants of the planet Pandora. A select few are able to remotely control their avatars and attempt to assimilate themselves with the natives. The humans are on the planet attempting to mine for a valuable mineral known as “Unobtainium”. The Navi live over the largest deposit on the planet and therein lies the conflict.

More than a movie Avatar is an experience. The 3D is the best I have ever seen and it is utilized in a manner that isn’t distracting or gimmicky. Characters aren’t going throw stuff at the screen just to get a reaction. Instead it adds to the sense of depth and connection with the environment bringing it to life. What most fascinated me was just seeing the artifacts in the air, which doesn’t sound all that exciting but even those small things were brilliantly presented.

Early in the  film the 3D stands out because it is new and takes somewhat of an adjustment to get used to. However after maybe 20 minutes it felt like natural viewing. It was almost as if I had been transported to that environment. The planet of Pandora was incredible. The landscape, flora,  Navi and other inhabitants were all beautifully done. There were several scenes in which I thought about how I wanted to watch the movie again just to investigate the background and spot things I had missed.

The new technology allowed the actors to actually play the parts of their avatars by wearing a camera that pointed directly at their faces. That provided the exact gestures and emotions to come though. Calling any of it “animated” is really selling it short. At no point was I distracted or did it seem awkward. Which is amazing considering this is the first attempt at it.

It would be easy to overlook the performances in Avatar because much of their time is spent as their Navi-self. Sam Worthington does a great job as the main character Jake Sully in what will probably be the breakout role that makes him a household name. Zoe Saldana is the Navi love interest Neytiri and her spirit and mannerisms shine through. The supporting cast does a fine job as well…even Michelle Rodriguez is tolerable.

There have been some complaints about the story but I really don’t see where those people are coming from. It may not be completely unique in the themes and character turns but that isn’t a concern I had while watching it. The connections made between the characters and the conflict at hand is what drives the progression. Forcing anything else could have ultimately been damaging.

My only issue with Avatar is the internal struggle that comes from the natural tendency to side with the Navi in the conflict. I really didn’t want to root for the death of humans but at the same time it was a necessary evil. I suppose that the film was able to connect with viewers in a way that are forced them to question their feelings on the events taking place is an achievement in itself.

Avatar is really something that needs to be seen in order to fully understand the impact of the film and the technology it introduces. It is a completely visceral experience and delivered more than just pure entertainment. This is a film that years from now many may look back on as what started a new era in film making.

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