Avatar

Movie Title-- Avatar

Release Year-- 2009

Running Time-- 2 Hours and 42 Minutes

Production Company-- 20th Century Fox

Director-- James Cameron

Cast-- Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Long, Joel Moore, Giovanni Ribisi, Michelle Rodriguez


Jake Sully, a paraplegic marine takes his deceased brother's place in a high-profile experiment on the world of Pandora. Once arriving on Pandora, Jake "transforms" into his avatar and is immersed into a world that is unlike anything he has ever experienced. Now, he is torn between two worlds, the one he left behind and the one he must help to save.


I have to say, I really, really enjoyed this film. Other than Sigourney Weaver (and Zoe Saldana in other less serious roles) I had never really heard of the other actors (I mean, sure, I had seen them on something previously but if you line them up next to other, better known actors I would have no clue who they were) and I think that it was a very good idea to put lower profile actors into the film. The movie was super hyped up already (and with good reason) without casting big name stars into the film, good move Mr. Cameron. These actors worked very well with each other, the performances seemed genuine and for close to three hours, it didn't seem like I was sitting through a film, they did their jobs so well that I actually felt like I was there.

I do have to say that Stephen Lang was very good in this film. From the look of him on film, he almost looks like a G.I. Joe. He is very convincing as a marine Sargent, from his stout army boots all the way to his buzzed hair and grotesque scar down the right side of his head. Sam Worthington was also very good in this film. His portrayal of Jake Sully was authentic and real feeling. Because of his character's role, it was almost as if he had to have two different personalities and he pulled this off well.


I have to talk about the main character of this film though and that is the setting of Pandora. All computer generated graphics, it was just as alive as the characters on the screen. The Na'vi believe that everything interacts with everything else in their world, that all things work harmoniously together in order to survive and thrive, and therefore it was important to the story to show that all things were connected. This is achieved onscreen by simple things, like Jake and Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) walking across plants at night and every step that is taken lights up the ground they are walking on. In the theater I was in complete awe by the colors and dynamics of the setting (don't get me wrong, it was great in my living room as well but there is just something about that huge screen in front of you that makes everything seem so magical) and at one point during the film it felt as if I were truly a part of the movie.

The setting really is the best part of this movie. Don't get me wrong, the actors are great but the setting really does make this movie. James Cameron really wanted to take the view to this whole other world he has imagined and he does a spectacular job at doing that in this movie. The colors are great, so great that it makes everything around you seem to shimmer; watch it in the dark with the lights off, whenever the bright colors fill the screen it seems like the room around you changes and that is how good James Cameron is at making you feel like you are truly on Pandora.

The movie has taken a lot of crap for racism, for the way the Na'vi are dressed and some people have even say that "Avatar" is "Pocahontas" only with blue people. In my opinion, Avatar's story is very similar to that of "Pocahontas" but it is so much more than that. There is a love story in it but there is also a story of morals; it is about doing what is right, not for yourself but for the good of everyone. Furthermore, for anyone that thinks it is racist because of the way the Na'vi dress or act, it's only a movie, it isn't meant to be taken seriously.

There is one thing I regret about the movie and that is that is was so excellent in 3D I am sad that not everyone went to the theater to see it in 3D. "Avatar" was the movie to make sure you catch in 3D, there really is no other movie (that is coming out anytime soon anyway) that will compare to this one when it comes to the 3D effects.


I highly, HIGHLY recommend this film to anyone that is looking for something to help them escape their everyday, hum-drum life and slip into a world full of beauty and wonderment. Everyone has to catch this movie, so put the kids to bed early, put the cell phone on silent, turn off the computer and of course, don't forget the popcorn!