This all started way back in 1994, when director James Cameron wrote an 114 page script for this film. 15 years ago, Tanya Harding was in the spotlight for her infamous attack on Nancy Kerrigan during the Olympics. This is back when Forrest Gump was recieving an Oscar for Best Picture. This is a serious gap in time. It was officially announced in 1997 that Cameron was going to make 'Avatar', just after raking in multiple Oscars for his most recent film, 'Titanic'. Unfortunately, the technology Cameron had hoped for wasn't available until roughly 2007. I am very glad that he waited, because what he has made will be talked about for years to come.
This film takes place in the year 2154 on an Earth-sized moon named Pandora. The RDA corporation is there because they are interested in mining a rare mineral, called unobtanium. However, there are many obstacles facing the crew. The humans can not breathe on Pandora. Therefore, they have to create these genetic hybrids between humans and the natives, called the Na'vi. These hybrids are called avatars. These avatars are controlled by humans, who stay in the lab and lay in these pods that basically look like tanning beds. The people controlling the avatars are called 'drivers'. The three we meet are Jake, Norm, and Dr. Augustine. Jake, played by Sam Worthington is a ex-marine who lost the use of his legs in battle. His twin brother was initially supposed to be on this mission, but because of his untimely death, Jake was asked to participate. The goal of these 'drivers' are to become friendly with the Na'vi, in hopes to be able to convince them to move away from their current location, so the military can recieve the unobtanium. On their first night out, Jake gets left behind after running away from what looks like a hammerhead rhino. When Jake is roaming around trying to survive the night, he comes across little tiny dog-like creatures, called viperwolves. They surround him and then attack. Lucky for Jake, a native names Neytiri comes to his rescue. He is thankful for her help, but she is upset with him because of his abuse of the animals. He is curious as to why she is so upset at him, so he begins to follow her when she takes off. He is then captured by the other natives, who are not very fond of Jake and his fake avatars, also known as 'sky people'. After a decision to spare his life, the Na'vi assign Neytiri to show Jake the way of their people, whether it be sleeping in a leafy cocoon, taming a flying banshee, or learning the language of the Na'vi. Jake then has to return to his human body while his avatar self is asleep, and thus begins the seperation between the two sides. Jake realizes that the humans are being absolutely outlandish in their quest and, as he grows closer and closer with the Na'vi, begins to rebel against his own race. He then must decide which is more important to him, and thus begins another big battle between humans and nature.
Although the dialogue at times is really dull, this movie has to be seen for it's special effects. It is like nothing you could ever imagine. You can't imagine it because you have not seen anything like this. I have seen this movie twice, and both times I have been absolutely blown away by what I see. I have heard criticism that this movie is all special effects and no plot, but that is simply untrue. The dialogue is a bit lacking, but the plot very much holds it's own. There is so much going on in this movie that it actually becomes very difficult to sum it all up in a review like this. All I can really say is that you should go see this movie, because the experience you'll have will be one worth well beyond what you pay for the movie (the prices for 2-D and 3-D vary.)
Rating: 4 out of 4 stars
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