"Believe it, or not"

James Cameron's Avatar - release date: December 18, 2009


After seeing this movie last night I honestly do not know where to start. Well, let's just say that is by far the most expensive movie ever made - with numbers above $300 million being reported by numerous sources. I provided the trailer on my last post (for those of you who never watch TV).

Avatar uses a combination of live action and CGI (computer generated imagery) in order to provide us with vivid realizations of the characters. Cameron sets the standard for CGI-based films with this epic - from his ginormous budget, to his incredible talent not only behind the camera but on the end of the pen. Mr Cameron, according to interviews, has been throwing this idea around for over a decade. However it wasn't until recently that he realized the technology had finally reached the point that was needed to make Avatar. According to multiple sources, Cameron had a USC professor by the name of Paul Frommer develop the Na'vi language used by the natives on Pandora. Just another reason why James Cameron deserves even more credit! From paper (probably napkins at dinner) to the big screen, James Cameron has once again created an epic feature that will once again impress even the most cynical of moviegoers.

Avatar transports us to the future - one in which space travel is a part of life, and corporations aren't just settling for controlling Earth anymore: they want the universe. The film follows a paraplegic Marine to a mystical planet named Pandora, where the corporation has taken over much of the land inhabited by the Na'vi people. The corporate head, Parker Selfridge, played by Giovanni Ribisi, is hell-bent on mining a precious metal from the soil of Pandora. At one point he states that "this is why we're here, because this little gray rock sells for twenty million a kilo".

Corporal Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) replaces his fallen twin brother in the "avatar" program in which he is transferred into a Na'vi body - in order to learn the ways of the People. Because of his Marine days on Earth, Corporal Sully is talked into providing intelligence to the security forces on Pandora by Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang). However, the young Corporal finds himself a part of the Na'vi clan and seemingly considers Pandora his "home" - much to the disappointment of the Colonel.

Sully is forced to decide between defending Pandora from his own race, or to be an accomplice to the destruction of a beautiful planet....and a spectacular People.

Sam Worthington has come a long way from his days on Australian television and films, to his role as Corporal Jake Sully in Avatar. After auditioning for the film, Worthington received a call from Cameron himself offering him the lead - I can't even imagine the astonishment felt by Sam after that phone call! This will change his career forever. As Jake Sully, and his Na'vi "avatar", Worthington delivers a stunning performance. He threw everything he has into this role, and give the audience something to think about - who is Jake Sully: Na'vi? Human? It is tough to decide because the two worlds seem to blend together, "everything is backwards now, like out there is the true world and in here is the dream". Sam Worthington goes from relative unknown to superstar, thanks to James Cameron. See him in the upcoming film Clash of the Titans, where he will be playing Perseus.

Starring alongside Worthington is James Cameron regular Sigourney Weaver, who plays Dr Grace Augustine. As a self-proclaimed 'tree hugger' this scientist in charge of "avatar" shines through in a dark world, filled with greed and anguish. Grace, who also transports into the body of a Na'vi, traveled to Pandora to study the People, and eventually learn their ways. Weaver is brilliant as the brash, intelligent scientist - she stuns us, as she did in Aliens (also directed/written by James Cameron).

We get a look at Pandora through the eyes of a Na'vi woman, Neytiri (Zoe Saldana). She is the tough, beautiful, impatient daughter of the tribe's chief - and Sully must gain her trust in order to be accepted into the tribe. Saldana, although we never see her personally, her actions and voice are perpetuated by Neytiri. Zoe's ability to develop the character of the Na'vi woman enhances the movie tenfold. In this relationship, Sully's love for Pandora - and Neytiri - create the underlying plot: a beautiful, but forbidden love. Zoe will be reprising her role as Uhura in the sequel to this summer's blockbuster Star Trek.

I think everyone can appreciate the genius of James Cameron - from the Terminator films to Titanic and now the spectacular Avatar, he has ceased to amaze the world. Even if you are the kind of person that despises science fiction, I guarantee this movie will amaze you! It's unbelievable that one man developed the world of Pandora, the creatures within AND the story to complete this film. The incredible attention to which Cameron pays to detail is what hit me the hardest - I think my jaw was on the floor for the entire 162 minutes. For example - when the Na'vi people trek across the forest, the ground lights up when they place their feet. Even though this is a minor detail in a much larger film, it really illuminates James Cameron's ability to impress. I could on for hours about Cameron and his genius that shines through in this film - but I don't see the point.



You have the see this movie to understand what I'm talking about - one cannot explain the film enough for you to get the true feel of sitting in that theater watching this imaginary planet come to life.