As problematic as Avatar was, it was still a fun flick. The incredibly clunky script didn’t bother me nearly as much as the score and the font used for the subtitles.
In any case, when James Cameron wasn’t busy hitting you over the head with the environmental and colonial no-no themes, there were occasional moments of subtlety.
I like the notion of the film as a testament of experiential knowledge over book knowledge. Reading about and learning the language of one culture does not make you the kind of authentic participant than actually, y’know, participating does.
Not too shabby a blockbuster for the winter season, and I always hoped they’d remake Dances With Wolves, so there you go. Would fit nicely into a unit with Ishmael, Thoreau, or even Siddhartha.
wow… did somebody read the LA weekly write up on this movie? or are the parallels THAT noticeable?
either way.. can’t wait to see it
I did read the LA Weekly review this morning (caught it late last night) – only thing I noticed was the Dances With Wolves thing… but it’s really THAT obvious when you see it.
I did think you would be all about this movie. Let’s talk when you see it.
Two links worth noting:
Avatar is Racist: http://acephalous.typepad.com/acephalous/2009/12/avatar-is-a-racist-film.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Acephalous+%28Acephalous%29
and the best (70 minute?!) review of the Phantom Menace: http://techland.com/2009/12/16/the-best-review-of-phantom-menace-ive-ever-seen/