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“Avatar ”

written by Carlov on 16/06/2010

Avatar



Here is a film whose plot is tapped into and entirely honed for the American psyche. Canadian born Cameron's handling of the wafer thin plot could hardly be more obvious. The delicately disguised assault in order to reap the wealth of amusingly named, but unoriginal "unobtainium," that lies beneath the feet of the righteously indignant primitive native inhabitants of Pandora is an interesting demonstration of a national guilt, made even more obvious by the structure of their language. This has been captured all too frequently from the perspective of the aggressor (as in all allegory?) Recognising the error of their ways to the point of betrayal and going on to become the heroic and great leader of the persecuted. (See Dances with Wolves.)



But of course, one can't overlook the plush and rather expensive Computer Generated Imagery (CGI.) on offer. It is so good, at no point do you find yourself wondering why they designed something a certain way. You just accept the reality of faintly feline svelte blue humanoids ranging from ten to twelve foot tall. The ingenious subtlety of the animation is really very good, heaping on the empathy, making it easy to fear for the future of the planet moon. The concept of Pandora or Awah as we should call it using our best politically correct voice, is something of a vision. Again, not entirely unique, although this does not detract from the design work which includes well observed transitions from palaeontology to exobiology and everything in between. The "cosmic" luminescing plant life and psychedelic neon fungus scenes are colourful and imaginative always, a great deal of time and effort pays off in how credible it all seems. Too real maybe, extra or super-real perhaps, but never dull.

Roger Dean's vision is unmistakeable, whether conscious or subconscious, Cameron has adapted it well. But the inspiration for it is widely known about. The design influence in the flora and fauna which plays a large roll in the plot, is drawn from Rodney Mathews by the looks of it. Hexapods and helically powered reptilians (Tim White?) are delightful and again not beyond easy imagining to anyone that has studied evolution or even simply watched the horribly labelled natural history programs. Some ideas are perhaps thanks to Larry Niven too.



The main protagonist Jake Sully, a paraplegic ex-G.I. who through the death of his twin brother is drafted back into service in a "Company" funded hearts and minds initiative. It is called the Avatar programme which is supposed to placate the native populous, which is run by the bolchy and surprisingly non-pc smoking (how dare they, cough,) Grace Augustine (Segourny Weaver.) Her favourite tag line, "I'm going in," is I presume supposed to demonstrate the routine and established business of avatar driving. This is done via the largely unexplained transference into genetically grown hybrids whose DNA is drawn from the "locals" and the usually highly trained avatar "drivers." Related in some way to hyper-sleep presumably. (Anorak away, ahem.) I have come to expect large portions of dumbing down from Hollywood epics I'm afraid to say, so I found it quite pleasing that at no point does anyone point out the obvious physical differences between the hybrids and the local populous.



Jakes over enthusiasm at getting legs again controlling his avatar is quickly overcast by the mission. He is pressed to share strategic information with the aggressive colonel of the mercenary forces with the promise of spinal surgery to literally get him back on his feet. A strong motivator no doubt.



It was about this point it occurred to me that if the company were pressing for quicker production by the use of ex-military, I doubt the massive investment needed for the long term and peaceable plan would ever have reached fruition, especially as the journey to Pandora takes almost 6 years. But, if you ain't big and blue then you're just small people ruining the spirit of the living organism with dirty great mining equipment and the story would be so much shorter.



The obligatory love interest does carry interest but only just. Jake first encounters Neyteri while out on his first mission. Guided by mystic vaguely jellyfish like seeds of the sacred tree Eywa, takes him to her home. Her tribe, the Na'vi recognise the need to find a way to deal with the invaders, seeing Jake as an opportunity to do so, since they have never before encountered a soldier (human warrior.) Neyteri is charged with the task of training him in their ways in order to "cure him of his insanity." The least explained and best line of the film.

The largest and most significant part of his training is learning to master the follically based neural interface known as "The Bond," Tsahaylu bond. An interesting concept, proposing a common link to all native species, plant and animal alike. Explained in one scene in terms of a computer interface.

Jake continues to hedge his bets and continues to report back to the disturbing Colonel Quaritch about Hometree, the home, unsurprisingly of the Na'vi. I wont elaborate on the plot too much from here, it is measured and unavoidable, I will only detract from your enjoyment.



I will simply conclude: Action fuelled as you might expect and some scenes leave you with a positive rush. The predictable story line and conclusion still outweighs the special effects however, despite the nice marketing twist. Worth a look for the cutting edge in visual and audio entertainment.

In a single phrase: More substance and less art.