Avatar (2009)

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Despite tremendous box-office success, it's interesting to imagine that 'Avatar' had the potential to become the new 'Star Wars', but it most definitely hasn't. Perhaps it's my perspective, but once 'Avatar' here hit theatres and people took in the spectacle on the big screen as it was meant to be seen, it just wasn't discussed as much. While they still tend to be massive box-office successes, these films lose a bit of their lustre once they leave cinemas and come to the less impressive small screen.

Focusing on where it all started, when 3D really became a hit gimmick, the concept for 'Avatar' was set in motion shortly after the release of 'Titanic'. Lacking the proper tech for what he wanted to do, however, Cameron had us all waiting for over a decade, but managed to eventually deliver the goods with some killer new 3D motion capture tech, which goes to show that despite general audiences having a bit of impatience, Cameron does a fantastic job at utilizing the very latest in special effects technology. The 3D in this movie was crisp, clean, immersive, and unlike anything we'd seen before.

The story takes place far in the future, in 2154, when Earth is on the brink of ecological collapse, sending the Resources Development Administration (RDA) to the lush, beautiful planet Pandora to mine the valuable mineral "unobtanium." On Pandora, dwells a race of big, blue, humanoid/cat-like creatures called the Na'vi, who have accomplished what humanity sucks at: becoming one with nature. The potentially dangerous-to-humans race combined with an unbreathable atmosphere led the RDA to use "Avatars" to explore the planet - something we might see as a video game character we can control, but within a real-life environment.

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 through said Avatar, 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 (Sigourney Weaver) and Dr. Norm Spellman (Joel David Moore) 's Avatars through this wonderful planet, immersing the audience in awe. Imagine, back in 2009, this would have been a LOT of people's first 3D movie experience, and it was the height of 3D tech.

Back to the story, however, during said escort mission, a monstrous life form attacks Jake, separating him from the others, but he's rescued by Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), a Na'vi princess. To make the rest of a long story short, she eventually initiates Jake into her society, and he learns their ways, their appreciation for life and nature, and adapts pretty well. Meanwhile, Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang), who promises Jake the use of his legs in exchange for inside info on the Na'vi, grows impatient and wants his 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 it's still the highest-grossing film of all time worldwide, after all these years. So, its overall accomplishment upon release is nothing to sneeze at. However, there's a hitch. For some, including myself, the fault with the film lies in its basic plot, which has been seen time and time again with 'Pocahontas,' 'Dances With Wolves,' and 'Fern Gully: The Last Rainforest. While I'm with people on this, however, it's impossible to deny that upon its initial release, I still had a blast with it. Enough to pay to see it three times in theatres.

I've since received the film on a special edition Blu-ray. While it's still a good watch if I'm in the mood for something a little otherworldly, the full effect is now somewhat lost, as it isn't as immersive as it was on an IMAX 3D screen, making it, understandably, 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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