Minority Movie Report - Aisha

I know I might be one of the last people on the planet to see Avatar, but hey I am a patient woman. There has just been too much hype and continuously sold out shows (The 6:30 PM Imax showing was sold out when I checked at 8:30 this morning). I didn't want to be in that mess for a movie that looked to me like a new age Fern Gully.

I think we have all heard the comparisons to Pocahontas, and Dances with Wolves already so I am not really going to go on about that (Vince probably will). Yes, this overall idea has been put out there before, but never in this fashion. I felt like a child again. I was on the edge of my seat, grinning like a fool.

The story was not that amazing, but I wasn't just watching a story. I was watching art. The colours, the lights, the textures all in 3D! Everything looked so real as if it were done with make up and not CGI. I wanted to leave this earth and live on Pandora too, but then I remembered those things don't really have toilets so I have resolved to stay here. The creatures shown were amazing. The interactions with man/manlike creatures, beast and other lifeforms was new and fun to imagine if only it were possible! The creatures themselves outside of the natives of Pandora were beautiful hybrids of animals and earthly creatures that once roamed the earth.

And there was the hippy element. We are all one with Mother Nature, and here on Earth we are wasting away the truly beautiful aspects of Nature. I know there are many who wished they could live in a world like Pandora, and honestly, I think we already do. That area of our planet is getting smaller and smaller, but it is out there. It may not glow in the dark, but we have those waterfalls, the lush green foliage, and even giant trees. Most of us are just too removed from nature to know it. Unfortunately, I don't think that part of the movie will resonate with many. There are so many distractions and other themes on racism, war, and capitalism that one doesn't really have to think about everything we have here on Earth just waiting for some preservation.

I did have one favourite quote in the movie where the antagonist states "We will fight terror with terror." I am someone who can not get the concept of war (especially when my country participates in war, but does not believe in capital punishment). I was happy that this quote was placed so well that it wasn't overbearing, but more of a subtle poke at our current events. I wasn't alone either, as I was joined by the rest of the theatre in a low key chuckle.

Whatever the message of the movie is supposed to be doesn't really matter in my opinion. This movie can be interpreted in many ways, and it will all just depend on the audience watching it. If you have not seen it yet, that is amazing, but you should go do so now. The Imax 3D experience was absolutely mind blowing and I may do it again. Yes it is worth my money, and my time.

Signing out,

Aisha
Minority Movie Report