Avatar

Went to see Avatar the other day. It seems that we are at a turning point in the history of cinema, in which 3D (that's been around for fifty years) will finally take over. This is a revolution on the scale of the transition to talkies, and when people will look back years from now, this will probably be the Jazz Singer, the movie that will be seen as symbolizing the change.

As usual with movies that are a stylistic revolution, the focus on style is done at the expense of the content. The story is a cliche, and I could see everything coming a mile away. But in this film you are supposed to forget about the story, and immerse yourself in the magical world around you. A lot of thought has been put into every frame, and they are filled with beautiful details. While the hero learns to ditch his Western preconceptions and become a part of nature, the viewer should do the same, and then enjoyment is guaranteed.

As far as the story goes, many perceive it as a harsh criticism of the US and its corporate/military invasions into other countries. That's nonsense. Yes, there are scenes that are obviously inspired by Vietnam movies, and many lines spoken by the brass is taken from today's "War on Terror" rhetoric. But that's only on the superficial level. The real story here is about the battle between the Western consciousness, which wants to control nature, and between a consciousness that wants to become part of the natural harmony. Neither the Vietnamese nor the Arabs belong to the latter category, and in that there is no difference between them and the West. There are, however, some human cultures that do have that consciousness, and the inspiration for the Na'vis (the indigenous) is clearly the Native Americans.

Western perception is based on the Judeo-Christian belief that Man was put on Earth to master nature. The West has science that explores nature in order to decipher its rules, and this science brings technological advancement which enables increasing mastery of nature. This perception also breeds a materialistic consciousness that wants to exploit nature for personal gains, and his technology gives Western Man the power to conquer more land for his materialistic needs. All of this is represented by the humans in the movie. In contrast, there's the perception that believes that Man is part of nature, and in order to be happy he must live with it in harmony, and this perception is represented by the Na'vis. This perception does not give its holders the power that the former perception does (although you could claim that it brings them more happiness), and for that reason they have always succumbed to those who hold it. So the humans in the movie are indeed modeled on current day Americans, but they actually represent Western Man as he was throughout history.

Yet another claim against the movie is that it is racist, since in the end it is the white man who is the hero who saves the Na'vis. That shows, allegedly, that the "non-whites" are primitives who cannot think and fend for themselves. That too is nonsense. The Na'vis are unable to contend against the human war machines, because they cannot possibly comprehend what stands before them - technology is something that is completely alien to their consciousness. There has to be someone who comes from the other side, to show them what to do.

Bottom line, the movie is a grand cinematic experience. I don't know if I will enjoy it a few years from now, when I get used to 3D, but I certainly enjoyed it this time.