Writer/Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana and Sigourney Weaver
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actresses in Hollywood have made movies which attract audiences towards the Cinema like Zoe Saldana. Ever since her rise toward fame in the 2000’s, Saldana has been an icon. Whether it’s space scavengers, bold avatar warriors or airport caretakers, Saldana has portrayed countless powerful characters. Arguably, Saldana’s strength as an actress is commitment to her craft. She is one of those rare actresses which has always poured both her heart and soul into every role. Even when she isn’t a main focus of a movie, Saldana has often left a lasting impression. An actress with a strong commitment to her craft, Saldana has become a bold icon in entertainment. Although she’s best known for her iconic role as Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy, Saldana has made engaging movies in every genre. Throughout a strong career, Saldana has made many strong movies that are absolutely worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Saldana and adore all films which she has made in her career. However, “Avatar” is my favourite. Ever since release in 2009, James Cameron’s movie has stood the test of time as a great sci-fi classic. Packed with breathtaking production design, strong storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best science-fiction films ever made. At a centre of it all is an incredible performance by Zoe Saldana, who embodies an avatar facing a dilemma. Ultimately, what makes “Avatar” a science-fiction classic is its universal appeal. Unlike most sci-fi films, it tackles bold themes everyone would relate to. A mesmerizing sci-fi masterpiece, there are several strong reasons why “Avatar” is a commemorated movie which is worth seeing.
Set in a dystopian future, “Avatar” tells a story of a marine that embarks on an adventure to rescue a planet from danger. Sam Worthington plays Jake Sully, a paraplegic marine with love for discovering civilizations in history. Due to a tragic accident leaving him crippled, Sully has never been able to embark on adventures that he treasures. However, Jake’s life dramatically changes when he’s given a chance to embark on adventures to a planet in danger. Pandora is an endangered planet which is populated by warriors facing a dilemma. Jake soon develops a romantic bond with Neytiri (Zoe Saldana). A fierce warrior, Neytiri is determined to protect a planet from danger. As all the odds become stacked against his favour, Jake is soon forced to wonder whether it’s possible to save planets in danger. Facing a dilemma, Jake ponders the fate of Pandora.
James Cameron has always been fascinated with the themes of doomed love. A legendary director, Cameron has often made engaging movies about romantic relationships enduring disaster. His iconic movie “Titanic” captured the lives of lovers facing tragic circumstances on grim shipwreck. With “Avatar”, however, the filmmaker made his first 3D blockbuster. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture lives of avatars through motion-capture technologies, but he succeeded tremendously. Using stirring cinematography, Cameron captures a marine on a journey to save a planet in catastrophes. Cameron successfully uses motion-capture to create avatars that are realistic. For instance, the motion-capture technology enhances the avatar transformation scene. During this tense scene, Jake is excited when he transforms into an avatar with strong ability. Using captivating motion-capture, Cameron created a science-fiction film that’s engaging. Motion-capture is tricky to often use in movies. As James Gunn’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” suggested, motion-capture elevates comic-book films. However, it works well. Through stunning visuals, Cameron captures tensions that avatars protecting their planets are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Avatar” which merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Evoking Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring”, Cameron expertly uses cross-cutting to capture tension that avatars are enduring. For instance, cross-cutting elevates the final action scene. During this unforgettable scene, Jake and his group of Na’Vi warriors have a tense confrontation with humans. Using cross-cuffing, Cameron crafts a strong portrait of avatars that’s compelling. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. James Horner’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that avatars on a doomed planet bear. Through bold production, Cameron captures avatars embarking upon a dangerous mission.
Storytelling is one of the reasons why “Avatar” is a science-fiction film that’s engaging. The movie is beautifully written, and successfully uses silence to capture avatars that endure a traumatic experience. Throughout the movie, Cameron uses silence to capture the tensions experienced by avatars. For instance, silence enhances the environment destruction scene. During this unforgettable scene, Jake faces a moment of silence after witnessing the planet of Pandora being destroyed. Through silence, Cameron creates a portrait of avatars which audiences can relate to. Silence is not an easy technique to use in movies. Steven Spielberg’s “The Terminal” claimed that silence elevates comedies about airports. Jacques Audiard’s “Emilia Perez” claimed silence often elevates commemorated movies about transgender people. However, it works immensely. Through a bold screenplay, Cameron captures avatars experiencing price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Zoe Saldana delivers one of her finest career performances as Neytiri. Saldana first earned appreciation for playing guardians defending a galaxy in sci-fi movies. With “Avatar”, however, she took on her most challenging role. It isn’t simple to embody the personality of an avatar facing adversity but she succeeds immensely. This is the actress unlike you’ve ever seen her before: intense, charismatic and emotional in her most iconic role. Saldana has always had a talent for playing motion-capture characters with success, and “Avatar” demonstrated her strength as an actress. With bold expressions, she captures the bravery, determination and resentment of a warrior seeking appreciation. It’s a phenomenal performance by one of the best actresses working today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Zoe Saldana, the supporting cast is superb and worthy of appreciation. Sam Worthington is spectacular, capturing the determination of a marine that embarks on a dangerous avatar mission. Sigourney Weaver is wonderful, and captures the intelligent nature of a scientist in a grim situation under pressure. Last, Stephen Lang merits appreciation. As a violent colonel, he brings tension to the movie.
Finally, “Avatar” would earn the appreciation of everyone for capturing avatars enduring a high bar. Unlike most science-fiction films, it tackles strong themes which everyone would relate to. The film tackles bold themes such as mental health, environment and family which resonate among everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be familiar with the themes of avatars to enjoy it. It delivers a meaningful message about danger of environment destruction that resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Avatar” is one of those rare science-fiction films that everyone would absolutely adore.
Fans of Zoe Saldana will definitely recognize “Avatar” and so would movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A spellbinding sci-fi blockbuster, it honours an actress that has a charismatic nature.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking science-fiction film about avatars seeking to survive on a doomed planet of Pandora, it’s a powerful reminder about a commemorated actress with charisma that has manufactured unforgettable movies throughout her impressive career which always attract audiences to the Cinema.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 