Avatar Essays

Avatar Essays Avatar Paper Avatar Paper Essay Topic: Film The film Avatar is about an American corporation that is mining rare mineral called unobtainium that can only be found in Pandora. Jake Sully, a handicapped ex-Marine, has to operate an avatar and act as a bodyguard because his twin brother who was trained to operate an avatar was killed. Soon after, Jake was told to persuade the Native inhabitants of Pandora, the Navi, to move out of the way so that the corporation could mine the huge unobtainium deposit located under their home. After many experience living as a Navi, Jake managed to become one of their people. The corporation moved in to destroy the Navis home because Jake took too long. Once the Navis home was destroyed, Jake realized how evil the corporation was and rebels against the corporation. In the end, the Navi and Jake manage to gain victory over the Marines and the evil corporation. Many have criticized this film as racist because of the male protagonist being a white man. I dont think Avatar is a racist film at all. Personally I didnt feel offended that there were no Asians or African Americans in the film. If the Jake was played by a black man like Will Smith or Denzel Washington, then the ending would be spoiled because we watched enough Will Smith movies to know that he will save the Navi and end up being the hero. Using a not-so-well-known actor would question how the film would end. Also, Jake is not the only one who decides to change sides. The operations leader, Selfridge, also learns that what hes doing is wrong. The Vatican commentators gave Avatar negative comments, saying that the film gets dragged down by a spiritualism linked to the worship of nature. In this case, the Navi worship a goddess named Eewa. They are very religious beings that live in a gigantic tree. (LOsservatore Romano). I dont think the film was in any way offensive towards religion. The Navi were representatives of the Natives in our time, who were also very in touch with nature. The conservatives in the US claim that the movie is anti-American and anti-capitalist in its portrayal of humans as greedy creatures. I disagree with the conservatives. Greed is one of the true natures of humans. We are naturally greedy and want more then what we have already. James Cameron wasnt trying to offend the citizens of the United States but just trying show the nature of humans. The doctor in the film, Grace, was shown to be smoking throughout the entire movie. Smoke Free Movies, a campaign, took offence to this act. James Cameron states that he was making the character look evil. I agree with James Cameron when he responded to this comment by saying that we need to get used to modern times. If smoking is bad and shouldnt be shown in movies, then wouldnt that mean stealing and murder shouldnt be shown as well because its bad. The Marine Corps accused Avatar of stereotyping members of the Marines. I think that Avatar does stereotype members of the Marines. All the Marines in the movie kill the creatures and Navi without hesitation. When the Hometree was being bombarded, none of the ships backed out or even thought about disobeying except the girl. This shows how ruthless and greedy these men are. I would have made it so that more than just the girl back off from the attack just to show how sympathetic they are. All those people who wish Pandora is real are total losers. Its a science-fiction movie for goodness sakes. How can you criticize a movie by saying the alien planet doesnt exist. Some person even said he wanted to live like a Navi. I definitely disagree with their criticism towards Avatar. I cant believe people would actually become depressed because Pandora doesnt exist. Thats just plain stupid. All those people who wish Pandora need to go experience the world more. Besides, even if Pandora was real, Im sure theyd end up going there and getting killed.