Avatar - a technological masterpiece

After a long time, we went to a movie today – ‘Avatar’, the James Cameron blockbuster in 3D format.

Spoiler Warning: I have explained some parts of the story here. So, do not proceed if you do not want to know the story

The day was quite hectic. We had 4 classes today and had quite a few cases today. I was quite hesitant to go to the movie. But based on the very strong recommendations of those who had already watched it, I decided to go.

It is a 3D movie. This is James Cameron first movie after he released Titanic ten years ago. He has invested enormous time and effort into making this movie. And I’m sure this will be a great landmark in his career. 

The storyline is quite simple and not very new. But the story is set in future and happens in another earth-like planet called Pandora. Humans have built a base in the planet and are mining some valuable mineral called ‘Unobtanium’. But the most valuable sites are occupied by a group of blue coloured 10 foot tall humanoid creatures called Na’vi. They live in harmony with nature, interact with the life in the forests and life in a huge tree in the forests. They also worship a huge tree with which they connect with their minds. The humans have built their own Na’vi  creatures by combining human DNA with the DNA of the Na’vi. The main character of the movie ‘Jack’ has his mind mapped to one of these creations through which he goes into the forests and befriends the Na’vi. He joins as one of them with the initial purpose of making them vacate the place. Later he becomes one of them, fights for them and prevents the humans from destroying the place. It is a classic story of good triumphing over greed.

The movie is a mix of all the themes – harmony with nature or the lack of it, lack of respect to other beings, inability to empathize and understand that beer and jeans are not only ways of life, inhuman (or should I say ‘typical human’) greed and savage brutality of this species…

I particularly liked James Cameron’s words, “the Na'vi represent something that is our higher selves, or our aspirational selves, what we would like to think we are," and "the humans in the film, even though there are some good ones salted in, represent what we know to be the parts of ourselves that are trashing our world and maybe condemning ourselves to a grim future." (from Wikipedia). Similar thoughts were running through my mind while watching the film. My next blog is on that topic :)

But the technological part is amazing. The 3D effects are simply superb. It is as though you are watching the events through a glass window. The real characters (humans) and the animated ones (all other creatures) are mixed so well that you lose track of where reality and animation come together. Stunning visuals !!! The movie is a must watch just for the way it is made.