Apparently the statist Right is exercised because Avatar is an “America-hating, PC revenge fantasy,” a “thinly disguised, heavy-handed and simplistic sci-fi fantasy/allegory critical of America from our founding straight through to the Iraq War.” So hey, another reason to see it.
I’m exercised about the “heavy-handed and simplistic” part of that, but then I’ve always thought James Cameron is an overrated filmmaker. He’s finally become George Lucas, more interested in his SFX toys than in his plot and dialog. (The “Star Wars” prequels would have been much better had Lucas made his subplot about the rise of the Empire into the main plot. The A-story about Anakin was unwatchable.)
Fair enough; but on the other hand, another review whines that the movie is “insulting … if you know anyone in the armed forces” and “starts to look like a training film for jihad.” So at least the politics will be fun.
Well, overall I have to agree with the review, tho I could do without stupid stuff like “a thinly disguised, heavy-handed and simplistic sci-fi fantasy/allegory critical of America from our founding straight through to the Iraq War.”
It was clear to me early on that the plot was pretter derivative. As some commentors said, it seemed too much like “Dances with Wolves”, and I’d have to agree.
I’m not sure about seeing it. Probably will. But I don’t care for the politics. Am sure that SOME out there (on both sides of the political fence) will see it as a comment on America (and by extension, capitalism) [seems the first reviewer is doing that now]. You know, ‘see how the evil american capitalists want to invade and take stuff from the peaceful natives’. Whereas, AFAIC, the real capitalists would have traded with the natives and both benefited (ie no need for the military, etc). But how often do you see THAT in movies from Hollywood?? (would make for a boring movie…)
They actually go into that in the movie (the trading with the natives for mutual benefit); apparently they are so content with their current existence that they want nothing that we have to offer.