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"Avatar' Amazes Audiences At Adventure Accumulating Outright Oscar Nominations Now!"

By Kristen Agnew
Staff Writer


Agnew's Analysis:

Feb  04, 2010

'Avatar' (2010)

Source: http://www.imdb.com.
The movie is rated PG-13  for intense epic battle sequences and warfare, sensuality, language and some smoking.  The run time is 162 min.

Main Cast:
Sam Worthington - Jake Sully
Sigourney Weaver - Dr. Grace Augustine
Zoe Saldana - Neytiri
Stephen Lang - Colonel Miles Quaritch
 

  Movie Trailer for  "Avatar" will start in few seconds! Click right mouse for  replay
 

BACKGROUND:
Released in December 2009, Avatar quickly captured audiences and dollars as it climbed to international fame. On January 25, 2010, it was named the highest-grossing film of all time worldwide.  Producer James Cameron began the project in 1994 and waited for technology to advance to match his vision for the final product. Today, audiences are amazed at the intensity of movement, the clarity of 3D picture, and the imaginative quality of the film--if not the creativity of the storyline.  A sequel has already been announced.

PLOT SYNOPSIS:
In "Avatar', former marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) joins a scientific and diplomatic effort funded by a corporate mining operation on the planet Pandora, only to discover that he can no longer take orders. Dr. Grace Augustine (Sigourney Weaver) leads the study of the Omaticaya clan's biology and culture. When "non-academic" Jake enters their world in his hybrid Avatar-human body, he encounters the Princess Neyteri (Zoe Saldana) and her parents, who decide that he will train to be a Na'vi warrior.  Meanwhile, the mining operation is planning to destroy the Na'vi clan's territory for a precious mineral, and the Colonel (Stephen Lang) will stop at nothing to ensure this mission is a success.

CONTENT REVIEW:
Audiences identify with Avatar through its broad themes, which relate to technology, war, the politics of science, and spirituality. I heard several comparisons to past films, including Independence Day (1996), Pocahontas (1995), Dances With Wolves (1990), and Titanic (1997), though none of these screenplays best the novelty of Avatar's magical planet, Pandora, and the agile Na'vi people who call it home.  These beautiful, strange creatures may be blue, and twice as tall as the normal human, yet their emotions are as familiar as our own.  Their pride in their land, family stories, their deep connection to the natural world, their courage and their simultaneous vulnerability could stir up emotions that the viewer has set aside in the routines of modern living.  Personally, maybe somewhat ironically, I found it to be a refreshing reminder of the value of shared humanity.

SPIRITUAL CONNECTIONS:

Spoiler Alert I:
Spiritually, the film portrays a deep faith in a mother goddess (Eywa) and the sensitivity and awareness of this higher being amongst the Omaticaya clan.  Some Christians may call it idolatry, yet others will rejoice for evidence of Truth: The sacrifice that Jake and others make to save their friends. This is not quite Messianic, though it reminded me of the Christian call to lay down one's life for friends.

^"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."  (John 15:13)

Spoiler Alert II:
There is faith in a higher power, who is intricately connected with our existence. Though the name of Jesus is not mentioned in Avatar, there is a sense that spiritual awareness is valuable and necessary for a better life.

^"For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." (Colossians 1:16-17, NIV)

SPOILER ALERT III:
There is a desire for new life. I walked out of the movie with a phrase from a common prayer resonating in my mind: "new and unending life in Him," which is sometimes read during Communion/Eucharist/Lord's Supper (name varying with Christian tradition). 

SPOILER ALERT IV:
Seeing the Omaticaya come together in worship and pleading for the lives of friends reminded me of the need for intercession and faith among God's people, even when death is at hand.

Hebrews 7:25  declares the redemptive power of Christ, such that prayer is an important act of reverence and even salvation, not just on our part, but on His, too.

Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. (Hebrews 7:25, NIV)

SPOILER ALERT V:
Just as Jake prayed for Eywa's help and received it, I believe there is a God who "is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth" (Psalm 145:18).

Romans 8:31b encourages the believer by asking, "If God is for us, who can be against us?"

QUESTIONS TO PONDER:

1. When was the last time we whole-heartedly prayed for something? Did we expect an answer, or did we pray despite doubt?

2. Do you know that Christ is pleading for you? 

This is not a singular journey we are facing.  How we respond to the events of our time will reflect what we ultimately believe. 

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