Avatar (2009)

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Jump to "Now Playing" Review for 'Avatar: The Way of Water'

It may be my perspective, but this movie no longer gets talked about. Even with several sequels on its heels only fourteen or so years later, nowadays, it feels like this came, went, and became one of the greatest movies of the time - the time, not all time! At the time, 3D, while well known already, became a gimmick used ad nauseam. With all honesty, the first movie I ever saw in 3D was 'Monsters vs Aliens,' released earlier the same year, making the timing for 'Avatar' nothing short of perfect.

After 'Titanic' was a massive success back in '97, the concept of 'Avatar' was set into motion. Still, writer/director James Cameron lacked the technology for what he wanted to do with the story. To no one's surprise, this annoyed people almost as much as awaiting the dragons to arrive in 'Game of Thrones.' Cameron eventually came with some killer new 3D motion capture tech (the man is always on top of his special effects); however, many more impatient people shut up when they saw what a visual spectacle the wait was worth it for.

Taking place in 2154, the Earth is on the brink of ecological collapse, which sends the Resources Development Administration (RDA) to the planet of Pandora to mine for a valuable mineral known as "unobtanium." On Pandora, there dwells a race of big, blue, humanoid creatures called the Na-vi, who have accomplished what humanity ultimately sucks at and has become one with nature. The potentially dangerous-to-humans race combined with an unbreathable atmosphere led the RDA to use "Avatars" to explore the planet.

Paraplegic former Marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) is recruited to the project after his brother dies. Once he's plugged in and becomes his Avatar, he's able to walk again, and the viewing audience's genuine appreciation for how wondrous this planet is probably starts here as Jake breathes in the world around him. Here, he escorts Dr. Grace Augustine's (Sigourney Weaver) and Dr. Norm Spellman's (Joel David Moore) Avatars through this wonderful planet, immersing the audience in awe. Think of it this way: back in 2009, this would have been a LOT of people's first 3D movie experience.

During said escort mission, a life form attacks Jake, separating him from the others, but he's rescued by Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), a Na'vi princess. To make this long story short, she initiates Jake into her society, and he learns their ways, their appreciation of life, nature, etc., and he adapts pretty well. Meanwhile, Colonel Miles Quaritch, who promises Jake the use of his legs upon retrieving inside info on the Na'vi, gets impatient and wants his damned unobtanium, so eventually, it turns into nature lovers vs industry, technology and humankind in general.

Most of us left this movie in complete awe. The box office numbers show that, as it's still the highest-grossing film worldwide of all time. Its sequel is currently just two below it, with 'Avengers: Endgame' sandwiched between them. But for some, the fault with the film lies in the basic plot that is essentially another version of 'Pocahontas,' 'Dances With Wolves,' 'Fern Gully: The Last Rainforest' or any other movie with a similar plot. A criticism I understand but tend to overlook, as just visually, this was at the tip-top of the best of them.

I've since received the film on a special edition Blu-ray, and while it's still a good movie, the full effect of it is now somewhat lost, as the film isn't as immersive as it was on an IMAX 3D screen, making it a bit of a product of its time. These movies are meant to be seen on the biggest screen you can find while wearing 3D glasses if you want to experience them. But supposing one hasn't seen this movie yet, it's still worth checking out, if only to remember it as a time capsule before superheroes started to rule the box office.

4/5

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