Hello again, and welcome to Wasoc. I'm sure by now everyone has heard about or seen the movie Avatar. The movie has swept the nation grossing over 2 billion dollars to date worldwide. The movie is about a paraplegic ex-marine who experiences a new life on a far distant planet called Pandora. He finds himself battling along side the planets Na'vi race in this James Cameron Sci-Fi adventure. I've seen the movie in its entirety and highly recommend it for those who love creativity and imagination.
So why exactly am I writing about this? Well, with success comes a side of criticism. Rather than head to the theater, grab some popcorn and a snack, snag a seat right in the middle, pop on the 3D glasses, and enjoy a movie that takes you to another world...some would rather find fault in the film instead of appreciating the hard work that went on 12 years in the making. Some have now gone as far as criticizing the movie for it being against capitalism and sending leftist propaganda messages. Political conservatives have stated that people should be offended by such a movie, especially our military figures and leadership. Come on America, does everything need to have a secret encoded subliminal message?
The movie Avatar has a clear message about greed. There is no hidden subtext. However, because it paints a mindset, people now feel the need to rebel against the film. Are we so proud to be an American that we now have tunnel vision? Give me a break. "It's a way of sort of looking back at ourselves from this other world and seeing what we're doing here", Cameron, the director of Avatar, states. People have taken this way too seriously and forget that it's just a story. The film holds within it a love story just like any other movie, the only difference is we're taken on a journey through a fascinating new planet that is mesmerizing to the eye. Yes, it has some views of the writer, but what movie doesn't? Cameron has incorporated into the film what he sees as the actions that could destroy a planet or a race. Is he wrong? Hell damn no. Greed? Selfishness? Money hungry bosses who will do whatever they can to gain more even if it includes hostile takeover? Kind of like...an invasion? Sound familiar at all?
Listen, the facts are out there. But everyone is so in denial that there will always be heated debate. There is nothing in this film that is so over the top that should cause one not to see it. It's a story. And a good one. And it's good stories that make good movies, regardless of whose views they are. And the movie has grossed over 2 billion dollars worldwide, so what does that say about whoever's watching it?
If you were to take my advice, then watch the film if you haven't already. Enjoy it. Take it for what it is. Appreciate it for what it is, and that's good film making, good entertainment, and good writing. It's proven itself week after week, so someone did something right. If you don't want to see it, fine. But don't blame liberal views and leftist messages from some imaginary story that ISN'T REAL! It's just a movie, nothing more. There's no difference in writing a book with your viewpoints on each line and writing a movie with your viewpoints on every screen. People choose to read it or watch it on their own, no one forces anyone to spend 10 dollars when they don't want to. If people could only learn to escape reality for a couple hours at a time and submerge themselves in an alternate world, people would enjoy art a little more and maybe even relieve some stress. And let's face it, some of you could use it.
Although Avatar attempted at times to mirror what goes on here in our world, we're not on Pandora. Therefore, the movie is a mirage. Something we see for a brief moment and then it's gone. We watch these sci-fi fantasy movies to get away from our own world for a second and enjoy something we haven't experienced before. If you want to watch real life drama, stay home and look outside.
Toy Story 3, be careful. You may upset some of these tight asses who think your adult innuendos and political sense of humor is too much for our world.
Please.
You know what, this meals on me. Thanks for coming to Wasoc.
So why exactly am I writing about this? Well, with success comes a side of criticism. Rather than head to the theater, grab some popcorn and a snack, snag a seat right in the middle, pop on the 3D glasses, and enjoy a movie that takes you to another world...some would rather find fault in the film instead of appreciating the hard work that went on 12 years in the making. Some have now gone as far as criticizing the movie for it being against capitalism and sending leftist propaganda messages. Political conservatives have stated that people should be offended by such a movie, especially our military figures and leadership. Come on America, does everything need to have a secret encoded subliminal message?
The movie Avatar has a clear message about greed. There is no hidden subtext. However, because it paints a mindset, people now feel the need to rebel against the film. Are we so proud to be an American that we now have tunnel vision? Give me a break. "It's a way of sort of looking back at ourselves from this other world and seeing what we're doing here", Cameron, the director of Avatar, states. People have taken this way too seriously and forget that it's just a story. The film holds within it a love story just like any other movie, the only difference is we're taken on a journey through a fascinating new planet that is mesmerizing to the eye. Yes, it has some views of the writer, but what movie doesn't? Cameron has incorporated into the film what he sees as the actions that could destroy a planet or a race. Is he wrong? Hell damn no. Greed? Selfishness? Money hungry bosses who will do whatever they can to gain more even if it includes hostile takeover? Kind of like...an invasion? Sound familiar at all?
Listen, the facts are out there. But everyone is so in denial that there will always be heated debate. There is nothing in this film that is so over the top that should cause one not to see it. It's a story. And a good one. And it's good stories that make good movies, regardless of whose views they are. And the movie has grossed over 2 billion dollars worldwide, so what does that say about whoever's watching it?
If you were to take my advice, then watch the film if you haven't already. Enjoy it. Take it for what it is. Appreciate it for what it is, and that's good film making, good entertainment, and good writing. It's proven itself week after week, so someone did something right. If you don't want to see it, fine. But don't blame liberal views and leftist messages from some imaginary story that ISN'T REAL! It's just a movie, nothing more. There's no difference in writing a book with your viewpoints on each line and writing a movie with your viewpoints on every screen. People choose to read it or watch it on their own, no one forces anyone to spend 10 dollars when they don't want to. If people could only learn to escape reality for a couple hours at a time and submerge themselves in an alternate world, people would enjoy art a little more and maybe even relieve some stress. And let's face it, some of you could use it.
Although Avatar attempted at times to mirror what goes on here in our world, we're not on Pandora. Therefore, the movie is a mirage. Something we see for a brief moment and then it's gone. We watch these sci-fi fantasy movies to get away from our own world for a second and enjoy something we haven't experienced before. If you want to watch real life drama, stay home and look outside.
Toy Story 3, be careful. You may upset some of these tight asses who think your adult innuendos and political sense of humor is too much for our world.
Please.
You know what, this meals on me. Thanks for coming to Wasoc.
I will make it a point to watch this movie. I like good stories that add to one's growth. Someone once said that all good literature is about initiation, coming into one's own. Beyond just taking the audience on a nice journey, one grows, changes and is virtually reborn--initiated--by going through this "Hero's Journey". Joseph Campbell, the mythologist, explains it best.
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