The movie couldn’t have arrived at a better time. The world is changing at a faster pace and is becoming a global village. The differences between the Whites as a race and the Natives are diminishing fast. So much so that it results in a great movie Avatar. It is a slap in the face of materialism and bonding with the nature.
No matter how much the humans advance in technology and become addicted to materialism, their final return is to the nature. The movie ends on that note. It is a victory of the Natives, who have been oppressed in their own land and have led a strangers’ lives as their land traditionally is captured by the Whites. Take the USA, Canada, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand for example.
Cinematic justice is done. The Natives have won. Who knows it will result in actual victory for them in their own lands, where they are till today fighting for their rights against the occupier Whites.
James Cameron’s Avatar, a science fiction epic holds significance for the Indians too. It is a Hindu word meaning another form or descent. Also there is Dileep Rao, an American Indian actor, who acts as Dr. Max Patel, a scientist who works in the Avatar Program. The movie is also dear to us if we keep in mind British occupation of India. No one likes an oppressor.
The movie is set in 2154 in Pandora, a distant fictional planet. Humans (Whites) arrive there for mining precious mineral. Blue-skinned Na’vi (Natives) race of indigenous humanoids resist their colonisation. The colonists threaten the very existence of the Na’vi and their ecosystem. It is the clash of materialists with the nature worshippers.
The movie’s title actually refers to the genetically engineered body (Avatar) that looks/functions like A Na’vi body but has human (White) mind. The Whites thus use Avatars to interact and control the Na’vi (Natives).
Parker Selfridge (Giovanni Ribisi) begins mining operations and employs former marines as security. Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) joins in as scientist trained to be an avatar operator.
In an operation to interact with the Na’vi, Jake is separated with his folks. Lost in Pandora jungles he is rescued by Neytiri (Zoe Saldana). She brings him to her clan Omaticaya. Her mother Mo’at (CCH Pounder) gets interested in Jake’s avatar form.
Jcek’s stay with the Natives brings him on close touch with Neytiri and a deep bond of love develops. He now prefers Natives over the Whites. He makes home with the clan.
Faced with his abandonment, the Whites have only one option – to destroy the Native land Hometree and the clan Omaticaya. Jake reveals his true identity to Neytiri. The Whites imprison Jake and destroy Hometree. Neytiri’s father Eytucan (Wes Studi) too is killed. Jake escapes from his imprisonment and wins over Na’vis and regains their trust.
Jake then assembles an army of Na’vi. They fight the Whites and are faced with defeat. In the nick of time, the animals attack the Whites before they can destroy their religious base. Jake is released from his avatar and his human form is exposed to Pandora’s atmosphere.
Neytiri and Jake finally meet and become one. The humans (Whites) are expelled from Pandora. Jake becomes one with the Omaticaya clan. This is truly the return of the Native. Peace prevails finally. The day of the underdog had arrived grandly.
The story is simple and may have been read and heard many a times. But the presentation is simply superb with newer technology (2D, 3D, IMAX 3D) taking it to explore newer heights.
With the movie already crossing $ 1 billion mark and still raking in, it is the acceptance of win over the oppressors. The world likes a fighter and justice done. The movie adheres to it.
Avatar stands third to Titanic and The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King in terms of highest grossing movies.
The music and soundtrack especially the theme song “I See You” has been very well received.
With a grand success comes all the paraphernalia like books, video games and action figures. Avatar is seeing it all. The movie’s marketing has been top notch. There has been positive critical acclaim. The viewers have embraced it like second skin. Money is the buzzword for this movie and awards are soon to follow.
Avatar is the fight for the rights of the Natives. Are we ready for it? Are we ready to do an Avatar to restore our value culture against materialism, corruption, et al? Are we?
Happy viewing friends. Blue is in.
