Category: Avatar

In the movie poster of James Cameron’s Avatar, we find two characters, a human and an alien, are trying to be like each other and ultimately reach a mental state where both of them discover a new dimension of life. The poster is clearly divided into three layers by three clear and straight lines. The first of the three straight divisions are smaller than the other two divisions and it shows the name of the film on the background of a forest that can is sure to incite the excitement of the audience. The name of the movie, “Avatar” is written in a different font and it is predominantly blue. The other two parts of the poster are equally dividing the remainder of the poster. Both the pictures prominently feature both the lead characters of the Film. The first part shows the hero of the film, Jake in his Navi avatar along with Neytiri, who is teaching Jake to throw an arrow. In the aspect of this part of the poster, we can get a clear indication of the plot of the picture. It will be a love story with two different characters, and they are not human. The alien landscape is clear in this picture as if we look closely we will see that the forest in the background of the two characters is quite different than the regular forests we see, and it is enough to evoke curiosity. The feeling that comes out of the poster is love and love is present in a universal appeal defying differences of species.

The aspect of love is shown through the characters’ wide eyes. Burgeoning love is mirrored in their eyes. The eyes are deep and wide and show longing and a glimpse of tear. The characters are aliens, but it does not prevent them from showing human emotions and they, by showing the emotions, come close to us in all the respect of humanity. Both of them are looking like humans but they are not human. They are predominantly blue and have sharply pointed ears and a different shaped nose. The color of the eye is quite different too. Their body is also slightly stripped. These characters are no doubt computer-generated and all the hype surrounding the film that says that the director has to make new technology to capture the film. The proximity between the two characters shows the relation between them. It also shows that though the two characters though they come from different places still interact with each other and develop a warm relationship.

The aspect of love between the two species is evident in the third part of the poster too. Here we see the faces of the two lead characters over the background of a blue sky. Sam Worthington who plays the lead role is recognizable, but on the other hand, Zoe Saldana who plays the female lead Neytiri is also unrecognizable in her Navi attire. The part of the poster is hiding half portion of the faces of these two characters. It makes the poster more mysterious. The viewer will be immediately attracted to the poster and consequentially to the film by the first two parts of the poster, but the last part will make him want to see the film as it has a beautiful mystical feeling. The glowing eyes of the characters somehow both of them are emotionally connected though they are physically different in all other aspects. The face of Neytiri is blue and has some glowing dots in it. This can be a typical feature of the Navi people as we can understand by the poster. The magnificent glow in her face makes the viewer look at her and immediately like the character (Sin-Hwa 473-482). The last two parts have Neytiri as in her Navi avatar, while Jake in his two Avatars. This implies the change of Neytiri’s attitude towards Jake in the course of the movie.

The female character in the poster is the manifestation of love. Her hairs are like any other woman but the positioning of her ears and eye differentiate her from them. The other part of the poster is the face of Sam Worthington in his earthly avatar. His face has a slight sentimental quality that can be attributed to the theme of the story that he is a partially disabled person in the film. Again his eyes speak volumes about the character and also may be it resonates with the second picture where we see him in Navi’s avatar. In the Navi avatar, he is completely controlled by Neytiri as we see in the second part. She here is seen to adjust his hands’ position as he is preparing to shoot an arrow. This implies that the movie though at the first glance looks like an adventure in a distant plant is basically a love story between the two lead characters (Murray 1437-1449).

Apart from the characters, the color of the poster plays a good part in portraying love. The poster is predominantly blue. The blue color will be abundant in the movie, and the glowing elements of the font also imply that there will be a mysterious glow throughout the film. The forest is suggesting the wilderness that will prevail throughout the movie (Oyewole 161-171). It would be noted that we call earth ‘the blue planet’, and the abundance of blue would sure to make the audience feel comfortable and sense the love for the environment.

The poster of Avatar is custom-made to make the audiences curious to know about the World of Avatar. The poster shows the rhetorical situation of the two lead characters and what types of conditions they are thrown upon. The poster successfully transports us to the World of Avatar and also shows the change of attitude between the two lead characters. The feeling that the audience receives from this movie poster is radiant love and the vibe induces the audience to watch the movie, which is the main goal of the poster.

Works Cited

Murray, Norman. “Eye gaze in virtual environments: evaluating the need and initial work on implementation.” Concurrency and Computation: Practice and Experience 21.11 (2009): 1437-1449.

Oyewole, Oyekoya. “Eyelid kinematics for virtual characters.” Computer Animation and Virtual Worlds 21.3-4 (2010): 161-171.

Sin-Hwa, Kang. “Virtual humans elicit socially anxious interactants’ verbal self-disclosure.” Computer Animation and Virtual Worlds 21.3-4 (2010): 473-482.

The issues of power and political difference have always been of great interest for scholars, politicians and mere mortals due to the controversy around the former concepts.

As a result, the two have spawned countless number of artistic interpretations, Cameron’s Avatar and Scott’s Gladiator being the landmarks of the XXI century take at the problem. Although the movies are based on completely different stories and are driven by seemingly different plots, a number of ideas regarding power and policy of differentiation in both movies rub shoulders.

No matter what one might say about Avatar being the adult version of Disney’s Pocahontas, as well as the fact that the story of greedy invaders and poor civilian residents has been beaten to death, the movie still offers an interesting journey into human mind. James Cameron clearly knows how to get the audience in their seats for a couple of hours, and creates a sophisticated political and cultural conflict.

Scott’s Gladiator, in its turn, provides a much darker and, therefore, more adult view of the problem. Unlike Avatar, Gladiator does not pander to its audience, thus, it taps on more complex issues.

In addition, Gladiator tackles the story that is arguably planted into the realm of reality, the lead character being the representation of those oppressed and rebelling against the dictatorship of Commodus. Although in no possible way can the movie claim to be historically accurate, it still represents real people and the events that, for the most part, actually took place – or, at the very least, could be.

Nevertheless, what both movies are very good at is taking the evil off the political difference and power, though with rather different takes on the problem. In Gladiator, the social stratification is dealt with in a very impressive way.

As it has been stressed above, in Gladiator, the director and screenwriter did not actually have to come up with the political environment for the story to unwrap in – the dictatorship of the Roman autocrats and the miserable life of plebs and especially slaves, which Crowe as Maximus Decimus Meridius represented, was already a notorious page in the world history.

However, Scott still did an amazingly good job by projecting the power abuse and policy of differentiation of the XXI century onto the Ancient Roman story. For example, the following line by Commodus points at the flaws of the ochlocracy system, in which the power belongs to few people defined as the crème of society. In Avatar, the issue concerning power abuse is downplayed compared to the Gladiator plot; however, the Colonel Quaritch is miles away from Commodus in terms of the methods exercised to seize power.

Commodus acts as a power-hungry despot by demanding that Crowe’s character should be dragged through mud, enslaved and finally killed for the amusement of the Roman elite. While astonishingly diabolical, these intentions still show that Commodus is a mere mortal with his petty concerns about his status, wealth and other down-to-earth trifle.

Colonel Quaritch, in his turn, clearly aims at playing God by offering Sully the ability to walk and, in fact, live a complete and different life: “A recon gyrene in an Avatar body… that’s a potent mix! Gives me the goosebumps!” (Avatar 0:36:17). It would be wrong to assume that God related symbolism must have been Cameron’s intent, since the focus of the movie is not on Christianity, but on policy of difference; however, the allusions in the movie are far too strong to ignore them.

Moreover, unlike Commodus, who was born into his position and, therefore, considers his means of ruling the Empire the only acceptable methods, Quaritch knows exactly what is wrong with his strategy and openly acknowledges it: “Well, well, well. I’d say diplomacy has failed” (Avatar 0:41:03).

Apart from power, both movies also touch upon the policy of difference, and they do so in a very smart and unique way. Avatar represents the clash of two different races, for the lack of a better word to describe the conflict between people and aliens, whereas Gladiator renders the issue of one social class oppressing another.

However, Cameron downplays the concept of policy of difference greatly – perhaps, in attempts to get a PG-13 rating, while Gladiator does not shy away from displaying the faults of the policy of difference in the intense scenes of battles and vile treatment of slaves, thus, warranting an R-rating in some of the theaters: “They tell me your son squealed like a girl when they nailed him to the cross” (Gladiator 1:11:02).

Avatar spares its audience the necessity to see Na’vis slaughtered in the battles and instead offers the viewers to sneak a peek at the evil masterminds, including Quaritch and the greedy government plotting to get the hold of unobtanium: “This is why we’re here. Unobtanium. Because this little gray rock sells for twenty million a kilo” (Avatar 0:23:55).

Though the two movies belong to different genres and are set in completely different environment, they tackle the same problem of power abuse and policy of difference efficiently. Smart and sophisticated, the movies give a lot of food for thoughts. Despite having their flaws, they are clearly worth watching.

Works Cited

Avatar. Ex. Prod. James Cameron. Los Angeles, CA: Twentieth Century Fox. 2009. DVD.

Gladiator. Ex. Prod. Ridley Scott. Los Angeles, CA: Universal Pictures. 2000. DVD.

Avatar is the mower which has opened the new epoch in the movie development. The idea of the movie has appeared many years ago, but only the innovative development of nowadays allowed the director to shot it. I would like to say that the idea of the movie is not new as well. Those who watched Pocahontas cartoon can easily recognize the main idea. Of course, the cartoon was a little bit different, however, the main characters and the main ideas were the same.

Considering the movie Avatar, it may be said that everything was fantastic, the play of the characters, the presentation and specially the format. 3D is a new format of the movies which allows to see the whole picture, better and more entertaining. The best scene is when the main characters are near the tree. I suppose that these are the most exciting moments, as it was the time when people understood that hey could trust each other.

This is really important. There are many themes in the movie which coincide and differ at one and the same time. The problems of courage, trust, love, relationships, jealousy, greed, devotion to traditions and the relation to the customs of other nations, and other particular problems which may bother people in the modern world.

The confrontation of the innovative technologies with the traditional settings may lead to the devastating wars. The movie impresses with the specific effects which add to the whole impression from the movie. The ideas and their implementation on the screen are ideal.

Jeremy Wheeler’s Review of Avatar on Rotten Tomatoes Web Site

Jeremy Wheeler, in his review, pays attention to the general description of the plot and the innovative technologies which allowed the face impressions of the characters to be captured. It is possible to agree and accept the discussion of the plot, however, the review is more about the alien forces aimed at winning the territory. However, I cannot fully agree with it as the place of the relationships between people from two alien civilizations is important as well.

It is very difficult to begin to trust a person whose civilization is trying to destroy yours. I suppose, the movie is more about personal relationships and the desire to show that it is possible to agree on some particular issues. Greed is central in this movie as trying to get the treasures of Pandora, strangers do not understand that different people value absolutely different things.

Money is not the main treasure which may interest people. Soul and the corners of human mind are more important. The citizens of Pandora have managed to understand this, but those who live in our innovative world where money has become too valued have lost that feeling and cannot even imagine other values.

Mali Elfman’s Review of Avatar on Screen Crave Web Site

Mali Elfman states that generally the movie is worth seeing, however, in her opinion, Cameron has chosen a simple story where bad gays enter the home of good ones and then, one good man feels sympathy to the one who is a bad gay and, as a result, the bad gay takes the side of the victims and does all possible to help them. The plot is rather primitive and Mali Elfman is sure that Cameron could choose something better and more impressive.

However, the presentation is amazing and I absolutely agree with Mali Elfman who says that Cameron has opened the new period in the movie development. Underlining the weak sides of the movie Mali Elfman points at the primitive plot, too early footage and inappropriate music. I do not agree about the music as I suppose it is great and perfectly fits the situation. Additionally, I am sure that that the music creates additional mood which supports during the whole movie.

James Rocchi’s Review of Avatar on MSN Movies Web Site

James Rocchi pays much attention to the technique of the movie development and its price comparing and contrasting it with The Matrix and Transformers 2 calling those silly. Omitting the discussion of other movies and turning to the consideration of the Avatar, I would like to agree with the author of the review that the movie’s population is more connected with its presentation and the form of performance than its plot.

Many people have already seen this story in Pocahontas and they are not really impressed with its novelty. But the way the movie is shot, the 3D format and the effects are the central in this movie. I absolutely agree with the author of the review that the special effects have made the movie popular, otherwise, it would be one more love story which does not deserve much attention. James Rocchi says that Avatar is not something new, but if one gets rid of prejudices and watches the movie, he/she will be impressed.

Manohla Dargis’s Review of Avatar in The New York Times

The movie reviews in The New York Times have always impressed with the detailed discussion of the scene and the behind scene episodes. The review by Manohla Dargis is not an exception. To summarize the Manohla Dargis’s review in a couple of words, it is possible to paraphrase his words saying that Cameron is able to create a movie which can raise WOW in heads of others. Again, like other film reviews, Manohla Dargis points at the primitiveness of the plot but the great interest of the society in it.

It is possible to consider several reasons and the name of the director and the specific effects in combination with the 3D technologies are some of them. I agree with this statement and apart from the original plot in such movies as Titanic and The Matrix directed by Cameron, the story about Pandora is not new, it is just perfectly decorated and this makes others watch it.

Catherine Shoard’ Review of Avatar in The Guardian

Catherine Shoard opposite to Mali Elfman (the review was presented on Screen Crave Web Site) states that the footage was not early and it did not spoil the effect from watching the movie. The author of the review compares and contrasts the success of Avatar with the success of Titanic. I am not sure that the comparison is appropriate, but I have noticed that many reviewers remember other movies by Cameron writing about Avatar.

Shoard is sure that there is only one particular reason which may prevent Avatar from topping Titanic at the box office is the absence of the digital screens all over world and not all people will be able to see it in 3D. The review was written before the movie had been released that makes it possible to check the expectations and compare those with the movie which has already been released. Catherine Shoard was absolutely correct saying that Cameron has a lot of ideas which can impress.

Peter Rainer’s Review of Avatar on The Christmas Science Monitor

Peter Rainer calls the movie the state of the art and it is impossible to disagree with this idea. I am sure that those who have managed to watch the movie and have read the Peter Rainer’s review can absolutely agree with him. Even though many authors call the plot of the movie primitive, Peter Rainer is sure that there should be more movies with such plot to remind people about their essence, to show then that treasures may be uncountable and that the possession of a good heart is the only valued item in the world.

The author of the review stresses on the interest of Cameron on the old clichés, but the way of presentation always impresses. Apprising and stressing on the movie success, Peter Rainer wants to show that he is positive about the movie and the may it is presented on the screens.

Roger Eber’s Review of Avatar on Rogerebert.com

Roger Ebert’s review is considered to be the most impressive and the most positive. Calling Avatar a “technical breakthrough”, the critic states that the movie is not that long how it may seem from the first sight. There are a lot of different stories and the plot is really varied that one cannot get tired of the movie up to the last scene. When the movie is over, one even cannot understand what the movie is about. It contains too much from the pint of view of Eber and I absolutely agree.

The plot is varied and therefore attracting. One may say that it is about love and trust, others may point at the customs and traditions value. However, the director wanted to show the technology and their abilities and the plot was just the cover for this. Cameron is able to make an impressive story from anything and even though the plot is not new, more and more people watch this film and admire its magnificence.

Anne Brodie’s Review of Avatar on Monsters & Critics Web Site

Anne Brodie’s review contains too much sarcasm. Believing in the talent of Cameron, Anne Brodie states that the plot is primitive and the movie is attended only because of the name of Cameron and his ability to make a sensation. The format of the movie and the way it is presented is exactly why people watch it, but the plot does not deserve attention only because it is not new.

I absolutely disagree with the author of the review and one should have a great talent to be able to create a new story out of the old plot. Not everyone is able to create a sensation on the basis of the already known plot and only a great movie can top Titanic and give the viewers so much impression. The sarcasm of Anne Brodie is inappropriate as being the master of the movies Cameron has just done his work. That is all.