Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.
Posted on 12/28/2009, 3:33:04 PM by Ed Hudgins
James Cameron’s new film Avatar is loaded with fresh, eye-popping special effects, all in a new, cutting-edge 3-D that sets the standard in cinema technology. It is also loaded with tired, mind-numbing leftist clichés embedded in old, reactionary themes that set a new low for political propaganda.
The plot as avatar
An avatar is, originally, the embodiment of a Hindu god. Today the term also refers to an embodiment or personification of some principle, attitude, or view of life; online it’s a graphic image that represents some person or thing. Cameron’s movie is filled with avatars, but not just the strange, hybrid creatures to which the title refers. We also see them in the silly, subtle-as-a-brick-to-the-head parallels that he makes between current events and his imagined world. Let’s turn to the story. (Warning: Spoilers ahead!)
The planet Pandora, a beautiful, verdant jungle paradise, is an avatar for anywhere the American military might show up. It contains the costly and rare substance Unobtainium, an avatar for oil, which is critical to the Earth’s economy. The private company Resources Development Administration, an avatar for Halliburton, has set up operations to ravage the planet to extract that substance. The problem is that this planet is inhabited by ten-foot-tall blue aliens called the Na’vi, living in primitive, pre-technological conditions.
The company employs a private army, an avatar for Blackwater as well as the American military. As is explained, “Back home they fight for freedom. Here they’re hired guns for the corporation.” The mercenaries are led by the evil Colonel Quaritch (Stephen Lang), who gives cartoon villains a bad name. He’s gung ho simply to clean out the “savages” by force, an attitude avatar representing how Cameron and his ilk see American history and foreign policy. See, it’s the evil military-industrial complex in your face!
(Excerpt) Read more at atlassociety.org ...
that’s pretty much word for word what Michael Medved’s review had said. (I think I had it nailed 45 seconds into the promo trailer...)
Thanks for posting. Prior to showing the film the theaters should run...WARNING: Not-so-subliminal leftist garbage ALERT!
Its the politics of guilt, at about the level of a college freshman orientation.
My grown kids took me to see the flick this weekend.
SAve your money.
The story is so recycled, you will have flashback to horses (as in a MAn called horse) or wolves (dancing with) and maybe even Soldier Blue. Blech. Remains to be seen if it will break even.
Agreed. I saw it for free at an IT-sponsored event. While it was visually interesting, story, pacing & character development ranged from weak to juvenile to imbecilic.
IMHO, "District 9", while grim, gritty & grueling, is far more satisfying as a humans-vs-aliens story construct.
Got tickets to an IMAX 3D showing as a Christmas present from my D-I-L (she’s even further to the right than I am, and later apologized for not having known the storyline). Technologically, IMAX 3D is simply stunning. As for the movie, I rather loudly said at the end as the credits rolled, “At least it’s good to see that corporate America still survives in the year 2154 (time frame of the movie)”. Guy in the row in front of me chuckled and said good point. Even my 13yo son could see the blatant attack against the military and capitalism.
Saw it last night.
The storyline is a pure ripoff of elements of the Matrix, Braveheart, The Last Samuri and Dances With Wolves.
If you’ve seen all these movies you’ve seen Avatar without the CGI.
Ain’t getting my money that’s for sure.
Liberal impossibly simplistic fairy tale.
The article left out some other lines, like “finding something you want, and making the people that have it the enemy so you can take it from them” and using “shok and awe” against the natives. PS, I saw the movie online so I didnt put any money in Cameron’s pocket.
The colors and movie was fun sci-fi. Cameron claims to have come up with the idea because of a dream or some childhood drawings. BS. He was obviously tripping on acid and looking at the covers of Yes and Asia albums; all great covers done by the great Roger Dean.
I saw it this weekend. Basically it’s Custers’ Last Stand but with survivors, mated with old Tarzan movies crossed with any number of dipsh*t anti war flicks.
Great CGI, decent 3d. The idiot plot is just a device to wrap the special effects around.
lol
you are being kind.
The kinder have been bugging me to wtch D9.
I just don’t get aliens addicted to cat food....
The movie has an authentic documentary-style to it and the CGI blending of "3rd-world aliens" is effective.
It's not a sappy Spielberg tale, to be sure. Either you'll get it or you won't. No big deal; I have no problem with a negative opinion of a movie I happen to like. Just so long as the critic actually saw it and did not rely on 3rd-party gossip.
Rock on...
;^)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.