Better Late than Never to the “Avatar” Party
A relative bought us movie tickets to see Avatar: Fire and Ash with them on Christmas Day. Since I have never seen the first two films, I thought it would be a good idea to catch up. So I subscribed to Disney+ for a month (and promptly cancelled) and finally watched Avatar and its sequel Avatar: The Way of Water this week.
I tend to be less critical than most when it comes to movies. If I'm entertained and engaged, I like it. So, naturally, I really enjoyed the first two Avatar films. It's at the intersection of genres I enjoy – sci-fi, fantasy, action.
“Visually stunning” doesn't adequately describe the world of Pandora that James Cameron and crew have created. Even the original film, released in 2009, holds up 16 years later in terms of CGI and visual effects.
The story, while mostly predictable, is still compelling and relevant. You can't help but get attached to the protagonist, Jake Sully, and to the Na'vi people. I found myself envying their connection to one another and to their world.
And I felt sick that I could relate so much to the human antagonists – their lust for profit and resources, their disregard for life and nature. Versions of this story are playing out in real life every day, except it's our own people and our own planet that are suffering.
Many stretches of the movies are a welcome escape from reality, but they also regularly force you to confront it – and want to do something about it.
I'm looking forward to watching the third (and unless it does really well at the box office, likely the last) installment in the Avatar film series.
#100DaysToOffload (No. 118) #movies