Everything that is culturally fucked up about Avatar (And no, not just its politics)

The film in 5 words: white supremacist; anti-imperialist; environmentalist; boundlessly enjoyable; technically breathtaking.

Below are my comments - since I'm the last loser on the planet to watch the film, you'll all understand what I refer to!

* What bothered me THE MOST: White American cripple comes and leads the natives to victory. SCREW THAT. Ever since Edgar Rice Burroughs wrote Tarzan 100 years ago, where a white guy joins the natives then leads them to victory against other whites, the idea has been in every other such film since.

This serves two purposes:

a) Ensures some dignity to the defeated Whites: at least they lost to one of their own, not to a fucking native; and
b) Reaffirms the idea that Whites are inherently superior to Natives. Tarzan was but a lost baby but became king of the jungle; in Avatar, it's a featherbrained ex-marine in a wheelchair.

And Avatar doesn't fail us. White boy (in 3-meter high Avatar body) learns, in 3 months, the ways and language of the natives, tames the biggest beast, becomes a legend. The whole Omaticaya tribe bows to him. Mates with the Princess. Impressive shit? Yep. That's how Americans roll.

* White boy gets the native princess. This is also despicable. From "Pocahontas" to "Save the last dance" (yes, I had it on video a decade ago, and I'm not sorry :) the average, not-so-special white boy (or girl) goes in and wins the heart of the native Princess (or the brightest black boy in high school).
No, no, no. I want to puke.

* White boy is actually a mole, but that's somehow okay. In the Last Samurai, Tom Cruise was kidnapped by the Japanese Samurai and taken to their camp, where he eventually had a change of heart and joins them.
In Avatar however, Jake Sully is sent as a spy. He deliberately attempts to gain their trust, purposefully to betray 3 months later. Hours before the mega attack on their land, the Omaticaya discover this. Yet they somehow forgive him? Really? Hmph.


* The usual cliches that Hollywood cannot avoid. It was unavoidable that...

- the mean Prince (Tsu'tey), will eventually become the hero's friend - and be killed shortly afterwards.
- the cool support white person (Grace) dies.
- the main bad guy (the Colonel) takes too long (waaaaaaay too long) to die.
- the princess will love the new white boy.

* LOTS of ripoffs influences. Aside from the Smurfs :), I counted Tarzan, Lord of the Rings, Pocahontas, Last Samourai, the Matrix. And Jack and the Beanstalk. Think of it.

* The Na'vis sound African. Yes, the language - developed for the film - has large influences from Amharic, so it's not purposeful I guess. But the body paint and the braids only added to that impression, and made me uncomfortable to some extent.



Other brief comments...

- the metal they can't get is called "Unobtainium"? That is such a stupid name. Nice way of breaking the mood. The exotic fruits will be called what, Sweetnjuicy? Seriously!
- The visuals are *amazing*. the flora is amazing. The fauna a little less so - the six-legged dogs (where the two front paws look like hands) are interesting but make no evolutionary sense.
- on that note, I really did feel a twinge when the tree was brought down. Bravo.
- Why did the big animals only charge at the end of the battle? seriously? Just like the giant trees in the 2nd Lord of the Rings - entering after all the good sidekicks have died?
- Eywa is a Deity. A deity whose existence is proven across the film. I found that interesting.
- Tall blue chicks are hot. (that, or I'm really desperate).
- the USB connection in their hair is funny. But it does allow the White guy to communicate with nature and animals, bypassing a potential language barrier. That was very smart.
- Apparently some people have been depressed since they watched the film, cultivating dreams of escapism to a faraway paradise. that was an interesting article on the subject.

And, and, let me put a wee bit of politics here!!!
Anti-imperialism: Avatar turned out to be the anti-imperialist film of the decade! So it's okay for natives to fight the invaders' big guns with bows and arrows. It's honourable. As the hero says, before the big battle:

They sent us a message, that they can take whatever they want,
but we will send them a message: that this, this is our land!"

Parallels with Iraq in particular - same villain! -, Palestine, and of course Native America are so easy, I'll actually avoid them. About 1.4 million people did them before me.
But on that just let me know point out one thing - that this is an American film that tells us that resistance is good. People, make up your minds! Are they terrorists or freedom fighters? Hmm... :)

- Yes, I'd watch it again.
- If you complain about me using the word 'cripple', I'll ignore it. Yes, it is pejorative, and it's purposeful.