“Avatar” has become a worldwide box office phenomenon. It has broken every single box office record imaginable. Made more money than any other film in history-lest we take into account inflation. Yet, it is more than just the money it has made; viewers, critics, and film scholars alike believe that it has changed cinema forever.
The all-important question remains: is “Avatar” the dawn of a new age in cinema or just another forgettable blockbuster dressed up in all the latest technological bells and whistles? The answer lies somewhere in the middle. “Avatar” is a visually and technically groundbreaking film but the story lacks imagination and spark.
On the one hand, the film is visually unsurpassed. The alien world of Pandora is a wonder to behold- from the phosphorescent plant life to the unique creatures both big and small who call it home. In addition to the natives of Pandora, the Na’vi (giant blue beings modeled on humans that also have reptilian traits) the planet is a veritable zoo of unique hybrid animals from rhinos with dinosaur traits to dragons and squid-like insects that glow in the dark.
More importantly, with the advent of 3D technology, Pandora truly comes to life. The film takes on an added dimension; the viewer feels fully immersed, almost as if he/she can reach out and touch it. As the propellers of military gunships or the horns of the “rhino-dinosaurs” pop out of the screen, one cannot help but feel a part of this crazy world.
It is a great shame, then, that the story does not match this visual invention. The story takes place in the not too distant future where things are not going so well for mankind, and our planet’s resources are beginning to dry up. This leads to space exploration in search of alternate resources and the discovery of a new alien world, Pandora. It is here we are introduced to the central idea of the film: that it is now possible to live through another being’s body, an “avatar”. The military believe the program can be used to take over Pandora and exploit its natural resources, thus saving earth in the process.
The film’s main character, Jake Sully, a paraplegic marine, is called on by the military to be one of its willing test subjects in the avatar program. Of course, things don’t go according to plan and Jake falls in love with Pandora and the Na’vi and gets caught in the middle of a war.
The idea that someone can essentially step into another being’s shoes and control them is no doubt an interesting premise, and one which is ripe for discussion. The film also explores the big ideas about environment and war; how often the two are intertwined. After all, the war that is waged on Pandora is for the acquisition of natural resources for a dying earth.
Sadly, none of these ideas are developed and instead we get a rather conventional story the likes of which we have seen many times before though perhaps not with such marvelous effects. Part of the reason the story doesn’t work is that we don’t feel emotionally invested, on any level, with the characters. The film’s hero, played by Sam Worthington, is not the worst to brace the big screen but he’s not terribly memorable either. And the film’s villain is nothing more than a stereotypical military commander, bordering on caricature.
Worst of all, the film is in such a rush to get to the next big action sequence that it doesn’t build up the tension and interest that is so vitally important. For example, the process of creating an avatar and how the whole mechanism works is completely glossed over. This means that when Jake connects to his avatar, for the first time, there is no real tension, joy, or surprise for the viewer. If anything, the sequence is somewhat confusing since we don’t really have any idea what is going on. All we know is that Jake is somehow going to be “plugged” into the avatar. With a little more time devoted to establishing some context-maybe even exploring the risks of the avatar program-this scene would have been far more effective.
“Avatar” is a film that is difficult to review. There is no doubt that it is a technical triumph; a film which makes us really believe we are on an alien planet. Furthermore, the film presents some interesting ideas about the environment and war. And yet, as any truly discerning viewer understands, a great film must not only dazzle the eyes however also the mind. Great films surprise us, make us laugh, cry, and leave us with something to think about at the end. If “Avatar’s” story was as strong as its images then it would no doubt be a great film. Sadly, “Avatar” ends up as something of a missed opportunity.
Sincerely,
Darren Lurie
Posted by Darren Lurie 
