Analysis of Avatar - Movie Review Example

This movie is listed in the genres of science fiction, adventure and animation. Film adapted advanced camera techniques, visual effects, graphics and technologies in making an imaginary planet called Pandora and its extraordinary constituents (Avatar, 2009). It was made in 2D and 3D versions. The story of a former marine is pictured in this movie while shifting in between reality and fantasy. It discusses the self-realization of a physically disabled man who has brilliant mind power and courage (Johnston, 2009).

Jake Sully is the hero of the Avatar movie. He is confined into a wheelchair and is apparently frustrated by the legs which he could not move. Cameron provides him a perfect body which is called an “avatar” and a place called Pandora where wonders and secrets are waiting to be explored. After encountering a series of unexpected chaos Jake becomes a hero on Cameron’s identical planet. The beautiful daughter of the indigenous leader falls in love with Jake. And the local young males envy Jake. Simply speaking Avatar is the fantasy of any disabled or constrained man. It perfectly depicts the frustration of a man who cannot obtain the beautiful women or adventurous employments of his desire. It is the story of an individual who desires to escape into a fantasy land from the unfortunate constraints bestowed upon them.

In Pandora, Jake could ride on birds, capture enormous animals and fight with the enemies. All these capabilities mirror image the opportunities lack in a disabled man’s life. In reality, Jake is not accepted by society as an attractive or capable person. But in his fantasy, Jake is a warrior and he is the savior of an entire planet. He would completely give up the human body and life to be a permanent part of Pandora. People who are working on the planet Pandora describe its inhabitants as “blue monkeys.” They are large in size, blue in color and primitive in weapon technologies. These creatures were made by mingling computer graphics with the real facial expressions of actors and actresses in the movie. Thus the “blue monkeys” indicate nothing but a deformed version of human beings.

Pandora is rich in valuable minerals, extraordinary landscapes, animals and trees and biological diversity. Indigenous knowledge of the inhabitants exceeds the knowledge of human scientists despite using primitive technologies. Their inclination to protect the natural environment mocks the selfish and destructive motives of human beings. All these indicate the wisdom and value which is hidden inside the deformed version of human beings. Jack chose to live with the “blue monkeys” in Pandora than go back to the human society on the earth.

Initially, the scientist who is leading the project disqualified Jake from operating the “avatar” because of his physical disability. This incident sketches an individual lacking opportunities to prove what he is capable of doing. In Cameron’s fantasy, this individual displays perfect brain functioning and enthusiasm which attracts the attention of the project team and helps him obtain permission to explore Pandora. Jake gradually earns confidence and convinces that he could even save the planet from destruction. Jake proves his worth, bravery and inclination to protect the sustainability of the indigenous system in Pandora. In Cameron’s fantasy such high moral values are found among the “blue monkeys” and the disabled humans.

Some reviewers advocate Cameron was also inspired by the political issues in America in making Avatar. For example, there is an explicit similarity between the American governments’ approach towards terrorism in the Middle East and the greedy human's approach towards minerals in Pandora. Some view that the fighting between the inhabitants of Pandora and greedy people from the earth as a mimic of the Iraqi war in 2003. The movie contains scenes of mass destructing of natural ecosystems in Pandora by the earth people. The film also incorporates hidden agendas behind investing in scientific projects and the greed of people for exploiting natural resources.

Every single science fiction book and book of Edgar Rice Burroughs and H. Rider Haggard inspired James Cameron to write Avatar. It is a story of a disabled man who found a purpose to his existence and a cause to fight and risk his life for. Avatar leaves viewers with interesting questions. Example: who are the real terrorists in this world? What are the opportunities physically disabled people have in our society? What is the tradeoff between protecting our environment and exploiting natural resources? Read More