Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
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It has been 12 years since Oscar winning director James Cameron made his last feature film, "Titanic." His latest movie, "Avatar," pushes the boundaries of technology and could be the most expensive movie ever made.
Sam Worthington stars as Jake Sully, a wounded former marine who has been left without the use of his legs. Jake is approached to replace his recently deceased brother who had been participating in an experimental program on the far-off planet of Pandora.
There, science, business and military have struggled to maintain a tense alliance while humans mine a mineral of extraordinary value. Things are made even more complex by the fact that Pandora is not only home to an amazing array of animal and plant life, it is home to the Navis, a race of humanoids that are 3 meters tall, have bluish skin and sport a tail.
Scientists have grown bodies combining Navi DNA and the DNA of the intended human who, with the help of a machine, will be able to enter the new body and intermingle with the indigenous people. This is where the classic struggle unfolds: Will this ability be used to subjugate and manipulate the Navi or will it be used for cooperation and enlightenment?
Sigourney Weaver stars as lead scientist Grace Augustine, who genuinely advocates for the Navi and fights corporate greed and military might that could lead to their destruction. When Jake first enters his Avatar, the thrill of having full physical capability gets the best of him. He becomes isolated and is rescued by Neytiri, the daughter of the Navi's leader. As Jake becomes more familiar with these fascinating... ah, people... he becomes more and more sympathetic to their struggles and very concerned about his role in their plight. And, the fact that there's something clicking between him and Neytiri plays no small role in the story.
This is an excellent film and is more than a little reminiscent of "Dances with Wolves," but in space. The performances are great and Cameron's ability to make these alien creatures relatable is remarkable. And then, there are the special effects. They are simply off the charts.
Now, we do have some melodramatic moments when evil corporate and unbridled gung-ho mercenaries run amuck, but it's worth overlooking because there's a compelling story here that makes it worth investing our emotions.
I'm giving 3 1/2 stars for "Avatar," and it's rated PG-13.
