Avatar – a movie with a green message (Movie Review)
This film is Science Fiction with a difference. The aliens are not evil, but perhaps the human are. Humans being evil is not an uncommon theme as there are war films which veer towards this idea. But Avatar tackles other complex issues as well. It talks of the Balance of Life. That is why this film moved me, very deeply. The movie is appropriate in these times. It is time that we humans thought about the Balance of Life.
I do not want to talk of the spectacular technology (CGI – Computer Generated Imagery) employed in this film because that is what people are mostly talking about. In fact when we went to buy the tickets we found that people were desperate to see this film in 3D. When the tickets were not available for 3D they were turning back. “What’s the use of seeing it without 3D?” they asked each other. We didn’t see it in 3D because no tickets for the 3D version were available. We saw it on a normal screen and well, it was fine. True, the jungle scenes, the spectacular animation of the aliens, the animals, and the action scenes would have made it very exciting to watch on 3D…but the movie is more than that.
What moved me was the meaning behind the movie and the story. The movie takes place on the planet Pandora, but as I was watching the film I was transported to a time before humans arrived on Earth. This is how our Earth must have been like. Lush jungle, all kinds of gigantic animals, and the Life in tune with Nature. Sure, there were humanoids at Pandora, but they worshipped Nature. The director, James Cameron, wanted to try and communicate to the audience that this was okay, that this was beautiful, that this was natural. He made the good characters say that is not a blind meaningless pagan thing, this worshipping of nature, because the trees and the plants and the animals are actually connected, that there is some sort of magic in the Sacred Tree. The bad guys in the film sneer at the “pagan” nonsense and it is their greed which blinds them to the truth.
The director tries to get across the truth that the Networking of Nature is a good thing, that it really does exist even though not in the way he showed it in the movie. Movies are always larger than life, always for effect. The reality is that all living things are dependent on each other. That is the message. One thing goes out of balance and the balance of nature shifts and leads to a slow destruction of the Earth. That is what we are seeing today on our precious Earth.
Early humans were wise. In the Indian subcontinent they used their love of nature to build one of the world’s greatest religions. Hinduism worships nature and animals. You see, unless you worship, you destroy. Because of greed. That is the nature of man. I have written about this (Why weren’t large mammals exterminated in India like they were in many parts of the world?) A way to protect Nature and Life other than human is to build a halo around it. This stops the greedy from getting at it. The Bishnois of India do exactly that. They worship Nature and Animals. Anyone meddling with it becomes Evil to them.
As I watched the movie I didn’t think it was Pandora, a planet six years away from the earth, in another galaxy. I thought about it as Earth. I didn’t think that the aliens were aliens. I thought of them as humans. I didn’t think the humans were human. I thought of them as monsters and aliens.
Photo credits: The first is a movie poster and the second is from 3news.co.nz
Related Reading: Tigers in India down to a thousand??
The vanishing sparrows of the world
A wide angle view of India 
It has made excellent review and reading.
I haven’t seen the movie yet,but surely will.
Yeah! Even I am planning to see the movie. And I’ll try and see the movie in both the versions. So that I can really make out what is the big fuss all about.
Good review – it’s different from the others I’ve read…As you mentioned, people are only talking about the visual effects and not the story or theme…
I am waiting for a 3D ticket :).
Those who watched are talking excitedly about this one. Cannot wait much longer…
Hindus believe in immanence of divinity. Even our music and dance are dedicated to the divine.
Someone should hold a Copenhagen premiere for it. 😛
It seems the movie made u think and reflect a lot!! This is more than just a movie review 🙂 Planning to watch it soon but in my city its in 2D only. 😦
You have given me another reason for watching the Avatar. 🙂
And I was under the belief that it was only about Sci-Fi… and not Why why (read soul searching) types. 🙂
Nita, I have seen it! In 3 D :)) Actually I did not want 3D, but there was no option (all cinemas show this film ONLY in 3D in Vienna).
Since you’ve posted such a great review, I will not make mine, but leave a comment here.
You got the right point, Nita! Many people are fascinanted by the technical part. Yes, it’s awesome. But the core message is the gem of the whole thing.
I find it very significant, that today THIS kind of film is the most expensive and made also by such a great director. The film that calls for “back to the roots” and shows what the true humanity is about. You are right, the alients here were the actual humans. The ones we can really be one day, all together.. In fact, i see it as a call for Spirituality.
And, – a very interesting point! – the alients are praying to the motherly power, not the fatherly (as a typical western religious concept goes). So it’s quite a change, i would say. 🙂
An awesome film, in every sense of the word!
hope this stays in theatre for a while..am going to singapore, or well hope I have time to watch it there…
“I didn’t think that the aliens were aliens. I thought of them as humans. I didn’t think the humans were human. I thought of them as monsters and aliens.”
Cameroon is a smart one alright. This is a time tested way to make blockbusters, by making the people empathize with the underdogs. The message seems timely too what with the climate summit in process and people debating on sustainable and green development to replace the present system. Want to catch this one.
As axinia said this one is a call for spirituality and a more harmonious way of life with nature. I hope the message doesn’t get drowned out by the excellent special effects. That would be a shame.
If you get a chance you must see this documentary called ‘Life After People’. It is about what will happen to earth if humans disappeared.
It is very humbling and uplifting.
I maintain that humans are the worst creatures to have walked this planet. It belongs to the microbes and they preceded us and will live to see the sun burst.
Hi! nice review. I didn’t know that the non-3D version of the movie is also being screened. Thanks for the info. Can’t wait to watch.
This is excellent review Nita speaking about the essence of the film… this is what me too thought… the Earth would have been like this before million years ago..
me too watched this movie in 2D and I can say its a great experience… another thing if you have noticed, Cameron’s most of the lead characters in his films will be women(Sarah Connor in Terminator, Ripley in Aliens, Rose in Titanic) and here too Neytiri who carries forward after her father was dead…
nice header Nita!
not sure about this movie perhaps i dont have a taste for sci- fi movies
Interesting review, Nita. The theme sounds like District 9, another very good science fiction released this year.
Hope to catch Avatar pretty soon now.
It’s an inter-planetary ‘Dances With Wolves’ – the white man going native. Story-wise, it’s nothing new and has been done numerous times. What’s worth pondering is why do we need such movies to get some message – and a simple one at that – about nature and life, and how is this movie-message consistent with what happens – the amount of trash that will be generated by disposable soda cups bought at movie theaters will likely end up in a landfill and remain there for hundreds of years.
This kind of disconnect between appreciation of certain ideas, and how those ideas translate (or don’t) into our actions is what I find fascinating as well as challenging.
why do we need such movies to get some message
Probably because humans have many different ways of learning. Some need visual aids and for some rational arguments in words suffice.
Vinod, thank you for that
nitpickelucidation.Very nice review and easy to read. I’ve made my review too, but I think yours is better. Good job.
Excellent review Nita, as always. I will definitely try to watch the film after reading your views.
Its an awesome movie. I watched it… once, and would like to watch it again.
The footprints of our great epics on this movie… is unmistakable. Its not just about ‘green message’. There are several layers and messages in this movie. Essentially about the ancient vedic way of life, of doing one’s ‘dharma’ (and not worrying too much about the consequences), and following the path of rightousness.
The movie conveys… subtly… that the only way forward is to embrace the ancient vedic way of life.
I think it is not only vedic. In many original cultures like Red Indians or Australian aboriginals it is just the same. In fact, any so called pagan religion preaches the same. It is just the ORIGIN, the true knwledge of life, of us being one with the whole.
You are absolutely right Axinia! These other cultures also are like that and there is a strong hint of it in the movie. For me the word pagan amounts to racism. It’s a word which assumes that a particular religion is the only religion worth it and all others are irrational. As Time passes, people will realise that the true religions are the so-called pagan religions. And your last sentence explains it all. That is what makes these religions far far superior than any other.
I am honestly glad to read that. The non Pagan religions are true is what even I believe.
The three Abrahamic religions have been more like political parties, 2 out of the 3 tried to spread good things, but the 3rd and ‘the last’ did not spread good, but more bad. End of the world, fear of hell, greed of heaven are all a part of these religions apart from the fact that the followers of other religions are stupid and inferior. Funny it is, that they believe ‘Creator’ is the ‘Destructor’, All Merciful God puts humans to ‘ever burning hell’ and the idea of a heaven ‘that cannot be compared to anything in the material world’ has all kinds of material joys!
Kalyuga truly.
I have written very similar comments elsewhere. Let me state them again. The problem is not with any religion (Abrahamic religions or otherwise…they all ask people to be wise and prudent about all the resources given to them). The problem is with people’s greed. Many of these greedy people are not following their religion properly. Many others openly say they do not believe in any religion/GOD. Are Hindus being respectful to the resource of mother nature in present times. I dont think so.
I am all for emphasizing the importance of using our resources prudently. Even making it part of religion. But I do not agree with making mother nature or parts of it as GODS so that they get a halo and thus be protected. It will not serve the purpose in today’s times. The thinking individuals will at once reject it. Moreover, it will alienate them from religion/GOD and the good morals which are part of any religion. And we do need good thinking people to be part of religion any religion. (That is the at the root of problem these days. All good thinking individuals have given up their religions. Most of the people following religions are stupid idiotic crazy fanatics.) The non thinking individuals who will embrace the ‘halo’ story will reduce it to the level of a ritual and then carry on with their greedy life. just a small example… they will feed prasaad to gau-mata but leave it stranded on the streets without any thought and compassion. so, in the end no purpose solved.
I do not know about other so called pagan religions but I certainly do not consider Hinduism as a pagan religion. The concept of BRAHMA is very very monotheistic even more so than the Christians who do say that Christ was also GOD. I would say it is the problem with modern Hindus who are bent on making everything big and small to be GOD. I am sorry Nita, that is why I did not like about your support of making a ‘halo’ (so to say) around mother nature even more. Being an educated individual why cant you accept them as they are i.e plans and animals. Why do you have to forcefully believe in a lie (that they are GODS or somehow very very sacred etc etc). As I have commented in the above para this lie might do more harm than good.
@your fan
GOD is kind and merciful and to be that he also has to be just. How can you be kind and good without being just. Hence the punishment. Even in this highly un just world we do get enraged at all the lying, cheating, stealing and scams. Then why should GOD not be enraged at any injustice and punish the guilty. If you read the scriptures GOD warns us against these same things i.e. lying cheating stealing. even so called small things (which are not so small really) like breaking promise and being kind and respectful and nice etc etc etc. The priests and Maulvis just love to senstionalize the punishment part as it gives them (I think) some kind of disotorted sadistic pleasure. They play down the real importance given to real good values because as we all know it is so difficult to be good human being and so easy to follow rituals.
This review makes me want to watch this movie. I would not have looked beyond the poster on this one, but for some good reviews I am reading.
Thanks to all who have commented and added their own views. I appreciate it a great deal, and for me comments are what keeps me wanting to carry on blogging.
I want to reply to each and every comment but unfortunately at this time (holiday season) it’s getting a little difficult. In fact I am taking a short blogging break and wish all of you a very happy holiday.
See you next year!
Seems ghost of American Indians vs invade of European over America continent
by the way…superb technology..visual
I’m seeing it in 3D the day after tomorrow! I’m totally excited about it.
But I really wonder; we “humans” keep talking about destroying our planet (the whole global warming issue), but sometimes I feel it is a kind of twisted egotism. Are we humans really capable of destroying a planet so old? Maybe after we’re gone the planet will recover in a few million years and keep rotating on its axis like it always does. We’re just a minor blip in this planets history.
This movie created a lot of hype in the US, and I must say, it stood up for all its hype!! Not just because of the CGI technology, but, as you said, because of the underlying message. I don’t remember tickets being sold out in US theaters in a while now. People here normally have many options to spend a weekend and watching a movie is just one of those many options. But Avatar was an exception..I had to buy tickets in advance and the IMAX 3D shows were sold out for the whole week in my locality.
Nita, if it were me, I would have waited for a 3D show rather than go for a 2D. The tecnology used was marvellous and speaks volumes of the dedicated team behind it.
I would want to remind you about this particular scene in the movie, where, Neytiri, the daughter of the Na’vi leader tells Jake’s Avatar, how ignorant and child-like he is for disturbing the creatures. I thought that one dialogue was enough to showcase the evils of we, Humans! Disturbing the Nature and other living beings was considered ignorance by Na’vis.
That makes me believe that our ancestors orprimitive tribes are not as pagan as modern humans and that they are far more sophisticated in thoughts and action than what we are today! And the copenhagen Summit! What a timing!!
Avatar makes a wonderful watch! I saw it twice :D, partly beacuse I am also a huge fan of Michelle Rodriguez, since I saw her in the Tv series LOST! 😀
Nita, this was a spectacular movie, if you havent watched it in 3D, I would highly recommend that you do. And you are absolutely right, the key point was that the movie potrayed the lifestyle of the Na’vi as being natural and sensible, not some exotic thing that has to be simply ‘preserved’ as a specimen.
I think one of the best scenes was when Sigourney Weaver (the lead scientist) tries to explain to the Giovanni Ribisi (corporate head) the science behind how the planet works. He blows it off saying it is some nonsense ‘tribal’ story, apparently science only has to be believed if it suits your ‘beliefs’ 😉
This is one of the most awsome movies ever. Eventhough I despise CGI
I am looking forward to watch this movie!
@ Axinia: The Vedic way of life is not a ‘religion’. It is a ‘philosophy of life’ or a ‘way of life’. The Vedas are not restricted to some books or scriptures. It is an assimilation of the accumulated knowledge of the ancients… over a period of time… or rather, through the ages. It is the knowledge which will ultimately prevail.
The Red Indians or the Australian aboriginals or even some of the extinct civilisations/cultures like the Mohicans… too followed a way of life similar to this.
This movie also highlights albeit subtly… as to how our own planet has come to its present condition.
And yes… Nita has rightly pointed out that, as time passes, people will realise that the true faiths are the so-called pagan faiths/way of life.
Thanks a lot Nita for this review. I felt the same when I watched the movie. Something awakened within me which always existed me being unaware. The bond with nature is the only thing that matters. Recently, I had been reading about Deep Ecology & Gaia hypothesis so when I watched Avatar, the message came right through….
I hope this becomes an inspiration to every man alive and all activists
I woke up when Jack Sully in his avatar says to Eywa “These people killed their mother, and they are here to kill you”, and in the end “The Aliens went back to their dying world”
Very powerful message indeed. I hope men wake up…
This movie breaks a couple of important barriers – one, we are not angels as we tend to think of ourselves! two – technology is not God. I will watch this movie, as you have given a nice review of it.
Destination Infinity
Here’s a film buff’s perspective:
http://theseventhart.info/2009/12/19/pandora-mon-amour/
cost of making this movie: Rs 1200 crores only.
Thanks for the different take on the film, Nita. I’ll prefer not commenting on the last religion-aspect, but your review conveys the sense of connectedness that you experienced. I was reminded of Carl Sagan’s work, which also brings the same kind of feeling to my mind.
Hi Nita,
It reminds me of the famous saying of Gandhi: we have enough to cater to everybody’s need but not anybody’s greed–or something like this. The message is eternal; they should be retold again and again.
Thanks
Nanda
Happy New Year, Nita! I loved this movie. I saw it as a direct statement about war, protecting the planet, and the need for respect for ways of life different from our own. The saga of Native Americans comes through loud and clear.
Best wishes to you. I hope to continue reading your essays online, whether they are published here or elsewhere.
Great Review to a Great Movie, I watched it twice. I believe the whole essence of the movie has been captured in one dialigue. “The wealth of this world is not what is under the grond, but what is around us.”
YOur review is AmAzing. I was about to post a similar idea too, but it could never have been expressed in such a good way. I’ve seen the movie about three times already. But given a chance, I’ll go again.
Though in some ways it is similar to Disney’s Poccahontas and Dancing with Wolves, the movie is worth every penny you spend on it. And Nita, the fact about Hinduism you have stated here is simply perfect. Kudos to such great thinking!!! Please keep posting such wonderful reviews in the future too.
Ohh came here after sometime and saw the hiatus post 😦
Will read the older ones and hope u get bk here 🙂
Well, I once heard this from a friend.
What is the difference between Human beings and Virus.
No difference. We both like to multiply and destroy the very environment we live in.
Viruses do it to our body, we do it to the planet earth.
I watched this movie on TV and missed the 3-D effect I think and could not relate to it the way I could to other movies about the nature of our lives e.g. Matrix trilogy. Your article though is nice.
You have got it all wrong.
James Cameron’s Avatar is just a spectacular and successful rendition of lal salaam crap. It illustrates the Left-liberal Theory that capitalism is bad, rapacious, and ill-at-ease with nature. But the unintended and unstated corollary is subversive—that the Theory does not belong to this world. Cameron has to invent or create a new world—actually a moon, Pandora—to give a concrete shape to the Theory.
The alien Na’vi embody all virtues and values that, according to the green dogmas of the Theory, mankind ought to embody. They live in a big tree, Hometree, together and worship Pandora’s version of Mother Earth.
They exist in the state of nature but we are made to believe that their life is not nasty, brutish, and short; rather, it is beautiful and idyllic, in consonance as it is with the tenets of pinkish environmentalism. Well, they do kill animals, but they feel sad after the slaughter. At any rate, they are in communion with nature; when they domesticate a beast, they join some sort of bio-cable with it. The Na’vi are a perfect embodiment of the Theory.
Cameron, it seems, was so concerned about the purity of the Theory that he could not find any tribe or primitive people on planet Earth to depict their epic war against the evil corporation. Cameron’s escape from the world as we know it is actually the Theory’s inadequacy to relate to the reality. Whenever efforts have been made to impose the Theory in our world, the consequences have varied from deplorable (arrested growth and development, as in India) to disastrous (over 100 million people dead in communist countries).
In the real world, the Theory has lost whatever legitimacy it ever had. One of the most poignant failures of the adherents of Theory—who are united in their condemnation of capitalism—is that the movie was made in the strongest bastion of capitalism, the United States of America. It was not just because of financial muscle and technical prowess that an American filmmaker was able to produce this hugely successful movie; it was primarily because individual liberty is held in high esteem that this could be done. Those who live in a tree can never do that for they are not differentiated individuals but insignificant parts of a gigantic organic-inorganic system. This is the reason that the subtitles capitalize the word ‘people.’ Needless to say, People are more than the sum total of individuals; the very terminology smacks of deep respect for collectivist principles.
Cameron has been able to give a new avatar to the long-discredited collectivist principles of the Left.
hey i am completely agreed with you because me also feel the same thing when i saw the movie as you. the main theme of the movie about nature, human relations with nature and every thing like that is completely written in indian history. the director must have taken idea for the movie from this.
Dear Nita,
I first came across your blog a few years back and ever since have semi-regularly followed blog-related activities on your website. You may recall that I have commented, albeit infrequently, on some of the more provocative articles posted on your blog, such as “Why men rape”, posted on September 2006. I do hope that you found my comments insightful and interesting, as I do yours.You might also observe that my participation in the discussion threads has been rather scarce. This is not because of any lack of interest in your other articles, but simply that I enjoy being involved in discussions pertaining to issues of a more debatable nature and thus only the controversial issues seem to provide the opportunity for me to intellectually engage with you and your fellow blog readers. I find your opinions on most other matters are fairly agreeable with my internal logic, and so I do not see any need to voice alternative perspectives. Sometimes I even feel as if we are of one mind, since there is an alarming consistency of your views with my own. My “cyber silence” as it were, is just an indication of how much I enjoy exposing myself to your views, as often my responses arise more out of dissension with views put forward, rather than from concurrence with the expressed views.
You’re articles are very engaging and thoroughly readable. I’m sure this is not the first time you’re receiving compliments on how well researched and equally well written your articles are. Whether or not it was your intention, you have generated interest and created awareness about critical issues that the general public is better off being educated about. Your blog thus provides what I deem as a valuable social service. Amongst the plethora of websites dedicated to showcasing shallow, superficial, materially driven expression, the intellectually rich content on your blog is like a breath of fresh air.
My email thus, may be thought of as a word of appreciation from a fan of your blog. However, this is not the only reason I am writing this email .I recently learned that you’ve decided to discontinue your blog. News of this development was quite disheartening and disappointing to me. I don’t doubt the validity of your reasons for making this decision and I’m sure it wasn’t an easy choice, but as someone who found your writing both pleasant and informative, I feel obliged to ask you to consider otherwise.
Perhaps these words of encouragement are overdue and maybe you wouldn’t have ended your blog if you’d just received a large enough number of messages that appreciate your work, intended . But as human nature would have it, the value of any experience is only fully realized once it ends. For me, this appears to be the case with your blog.
But I can’t help but suspect that your reasons for “quitting the blog indefinitely” is rooted in some kind of personal difficulty. Your last update seemed to suggest you were compelled to quit the blog, as you were clearly pained by the whole process of sharing this news with everyone. You mention “other commitments and priorities” will take up your time and I’m inclined to think that your motives for dedicating your constrained time toward other activities may be financial.
Please do share what difficulties you are facing. If you require guidance/assistance on matters financial, I may be able to help.
—
Sincerely
Soham Misra
Soham, your message is rather overwhelming and thank you for writing it. However let me assure you that there is no financial difficulty and nor is there a personal reason. The reasons are purely professional. I am writing two books, one a non-fiction one and another a fiction one. The fiction one has already been written but I have postponed writing the second draft for more than three years, from around the time I started writing this blog! The non-fiction book is very time-consuming. I get hardly any time for my friends these days leave alone my hobbies! The blog took up too much time, and it is not just that, it was also the distraction. There are only a few things that a person can do at a time and I know that for my own growth I need to complete my books, even if it takes a year or so. Again, thank you for your comment.
I had a real problem with this film’s 3-D format, as it took hours to pull all the jellyfish that got stuck behind my eyelids.
Good review. Very different. Great movie.
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Maybe we are the Aliens on this planet and destroyed the poor dinosaurs.
Now we rule over the insects and other creatures out here.
Well you have written the movie review in connection with quite a few social issues and I have seen such style for the first time.
A tataly different style of writing movie reviews.
this is a nice flim and i watch on movie avatar.i congragulate the director james cameron nice thoughts different charchter and different places but i missed that movie on 3-d anyway nice
good and they take a flim on different platform imiss that movie on 3-d and normal mflim also super
A good blog with PR 4 even now.
Really nice movie
Too gud..
you are right avatar has many social messages