Avatar Revised

A cyborg assassin decked out in black leather and shades, horrific alien creatures, and a colossal, unsinkable ship: James Cameron, renowned writer and director best known for “Titanic” and “The Terminator,” seemed to disappear from the film scene when “Titanic,” which made its debut over a decade ago, sunk into the frigid waters of the Atlantic.

Cameron has finally returned though, and not quietly but in his trademark, over-the-top fashion, with “Avatar,” his newest masterpiece. Nearly fifteen years in the making, “Avatar” stuns with state-of-the-art technology, drawing audiences into the world of Pandora, a land that seamlessly combines live action and computer-generated characters. Though “Avatar” at first seems reminiscent of stories such as “Pocahontas” and “Dances With Wolves,” the recycled storyline not only works, it impresses when set on the paradise of Pandora.

In his film, Cameron creates an Eden-like utopia on the planet of Pandora. This visually stunning land offers unparalleled power and promise. Humans escape a war-ridden earth for Pandora’s opportunity, and, especially, for its unobtanium, a mineral more valuable than gold. Jake Sully, a wheelchair-bound, ex-marine played by Sam Worthington, known for his recent role in “Terminator Salvation,” arrives on Pandora simply by chance. Agreeing to continue his deceased, twin brother’s science endeavor, he enters the body of an avatar, a scientifically-created being composed of both human and na’vi (native) DNA. Stepping into Pandora, literally, for the first time, Sully personally encounters the na’vi. Accepted into their private world, he becomes immersed in their riveting culture and experience. Quickly, however, Sully experiences the tension between his newfound relationships and earth authorities’ desire to destroy their community, a location highly rich in unobtanium. Ultimately, Sully’s allegiance can lie in only one of two realities: humanity or his newfound identity.

Having completed the first script even before the release of “Titanic,” Cameron had to wait on advancements in technology to make Pandora a reality. The wait was worth it. “Avatar” is a visual masterpiece: vivid, teeming with fantastic creatures, boasting lush jungle landscapes and mountains suspended in midair. The na’vi especially, with their slender, vibrant blue bodies and radiant, wide eyes, appear positively alive. From a furrowed brow to the flick of a tail, these CGI people flawlessly express movement and emotion.

Though “Avatar” doesn’t exactly introduce a new storyline, the recycled plot doesn’t fail to entertain. A little short of three hours, this blockbuster hit throws viewers in suspension, whisking them back and forth between human bases and the center of Pandora. By the time these parallel worlds intersect, the audience has braved Pandora’s skies atop a dragon-like beast, witnessed humans’ terribly magnificent military power, and learned various utterances of the melodic na’vi language.

Although “Avatar” lacks in originality and has the Hollywood trademark of unnecessary violence, it still manages to effortlessly capture viewers. Employing cutting-edge technology, Cameron invites viewers to a visual feast, and he has them guessing, at every moment, what Pandora could hold beyond every exotic twist and turn of its chaotic yet enthralling landscape.