James Cameron's career has been a lead up to making this film. Subjects he's touched on in previous films, such as the environment and corporate greed, come together in this visually arresting sci-fi event. Like STAR WARS did, he takes tried and true conventions of the genre and twists them into something exciting and new.
The world of Pandora is a kaleidoscope of glowing colors and vicious creatures, and its inhabitants are tall, sleek, sexy blue-skinned warriors called the Na'vi. The SecFor corporation has come to the world to mine valuable minerals, but it lies under Na'vi sacred grounds. Flesh and bone avatars of the aliens controlled by human scientists are used to negotiate with the Na'vi and learn the planet. When one of the scientists is killed, the corporation brings in his twin, paraplegic Jake Sully (Sam Worthington, TERMINATOR SALVATION) to operate his avatar to save on growing a new, very expensive, avatar. Head scientist Dr. Grace Augustine (Sigourney Weaver, ALIENS) is furious about it because Jake isn't a scientist, but a marine grunt. Her complaints fall on deaf ears, however, as corporate hack Selfridge (Giovanni Ribisi, SAVING PRIVATE RYAN) is only interested in business, not science. This, however, encourages Col. Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang, THE MEN WHO STARE AT GOATS) who sees Jake as a military spy.
Jake takes to his avatar like a natural. But he doesn't know the planet like eager new avatar recruit Norm Spellman (Joel David Moore, DODGEBALL). On their first mission out on the field, Jake is separated from the other scientists when attacked by the native beasts. With no other option, he is left behind to fend for himself overnight. Facing off against hairless dog-like creatures, Jake is rescued by Neytiri (Zoe Saldana, STAR TREK), a Na'vi warrior princess. Feeling the forest has embraced Jake, she takes him to meet the tribe, especially their ruler, her father, Aytucan (Wes Studi, THE LAST OF THE MOHICANS), and spiritual leader, her mother, Mo'at (CCH Pounder, ORPHAN). They decide to teach him their ways so that he can communicate them to the other Earthlings. Tsu'Tey (Laz Alonso, MIRACLE AT ST. ANNA), the next in line for leadership and arranged mate of Neytiri, of course, doubts the demon in a false body.
The visual effects are groundbreaking. The motion captured Na'vi have none of the creepiness of other photoreal digital characters. Their look combines cat-like eyes and noses and blue sparkly skin with body types of African native warriors and Native Americans. The interaction with the environments and real humans is seamless. They live symbiotically with their environment, which is clearly influenced by Cameron's love of the creatures of the seas. The Na'vi have the ability to link their hair to other animals and plants to communicate directly with them. These 10 feet tall aliens are like no other screen aliens before them. The design is an instant classic.
Jake is the perfect middle ground between the views of the scientists and military and corporation. Worthington plays him as a simple man who is doing his job. The avatar program allows him to get his legs back and if he gets the intell Col. Quaritch needs he'll get his real legs back. The scientists want to see the Na'vi and work with them, but the military and corporation are too eager to rain a shock and awe campaign on the primitive natives. Jake quickly comes to admire the fearless Na'vi who ride upon dragons and respect all life on their planet.
Saldana comes through the motion capture, giving a performance with heart. Neytiri is like a svelte athlete as she leaps through the jungle without hesitation. She is a skilled fighter but never loses her femininity for a moment. Weaver adds a nice dose of humor as the veteran scientist. She's smart and inquisitive, but doesn't suffer fools lightly. And I don't want to leave out the other tough woman Marine pilot Trudy Chacon (Michelle Rodriguez, GIRLFIGHT), who reminded me a lot of Sarah Connor in T2.
Now the screenplay isn't going to surprise anyone. It borrows a great deal. There are pieces from Cameron's ALIENS and ABYSS. The Na'vi come from several native culture sources. I also sensed a hint of Hayao Miyazaki's PRINCESS MONONOKE and SPIRITED AWAY in the environmental themes. Cameron's pokes at Bush administration policies aren't subtle in the least. But like a star quarterback, Cameron takes familiar plays and executes them to near perfection. He understands how to set-up situations that put in just the right note of doubt. And he gives us antagonists that we love to hate. Quaritch is a cartoon villain and Cameron knows it. I'd even call him a satire of the alpha male type.
Part of what makes a new genre film compelling in the world. Pandora and its people are fascinating. In the end the film is the epic battle for Jake's soul. Will he side with the mechanical mayhem of Quaritch that only destroys or will he side with the Na'vi who are alive in nature. How he comes to this decision and what he does to honor it is what makes the film so engaging. Cameron makes us love the Na'vi and cheer for their success. This is the kind of film that makes people cheer and scream at the screen, because it wraps them up in its solid story and characters and whisks them along on an amazing adventure. James Cameron is the king of this world for sure.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
