Critical Analysis Of James Cameron's 'Avatar'

Whale Rider is the story of a young girl, Paikea, who has found her destiny following in the footsteps of her ancestors to be the chief of the tribe; these chiefs have always been men, and Paikea is put to the test to see if she is able to fulfill this position. This long line of chiefs have all experienced ‘The Hero’s Journey,’ the adventure that consists of the stages one must go through to become a hero. In Niki Caro’s Whale Rider, Paikea transforms from a young girl to the chief of the tribe when she walks down the beach and decides to climb onto the back of the whale, because she is accepting her destiny as the chosen one of the family, and despite the fact that she is struggling through this experience, she is still stepping up to the plate and willing to do this for her family which is what makes her a recognizable hero.

Brave new world is a story that will give you a version of the future of our world beyond the average human imagination. The novel “Brave New World” can be shortly summarized into this, humans are not born anymore, instead the embryos are manufactured by machines and conditioned in ways so certain classes of people are almost exactly the same. Media in Brave New World is a very prominent substance that has a very large amount of influence on the “civilized” people.

Throughout life we are told to express our individuality and swim against the stream of the general population to put emphasis on the characteristics that make us, in short, individuals. Cherishing what makes an individual special and different is what establishes roots in creativity and self expression, however there is a forced false sense of comradery in today’s society that takes the form of involvement with the masses; peer pressure forces many people to fall into the mold of an average character. The Academy award winning film, “The Incredibles” displays the themes of expressing one’s true self and special qualities, and in contrast repression by society to fit a basic mold. These themes are elaborated on through the development of the main characters and expressed further through the supporting roles and their dialogue and endeavors.

Susan Sontag, an author of the essay “Imagination Disaster,” explores the world of science fiction as she discusses the tropes in films from the mid-1900s. Throughout her essay, Sontag analyzes why these types of films were created, and basically ties her discussion with humanity. With the growing technological advances, science fiction films state specific things about how science threatens humanity. She also ties her discussion to how sci-fi films tend to serve an attempt at distributing a balance between humanity and the technological world. Sontag claims that science fiction films has suspense, shock, surprises, has an inexorable plot, and how they invite a dispassionate, aesthetic view of destruction and violence. She also states that sci-fi is touching and some of it is depressing. Basically, detects war that opposes no problems or moral qualifications. Finally, she makes a claim that science technology is a good unifier and how they create a utopian society where everyone thinks alike. Sontag states powerful claims that are indeed true. In fact, Guardians of The Galaxy vol. 2 is an excellent sci-fi film that supports Susans claims.

Aristotle once said, “The worst form of inequality, is trying to make unequal things equal.” A major example of this concept of inequality displays itself through humans. Although people may seem similar and equal, each personality and talent differs from one another. Now one might wonder what it would be like if every single person were truly equal. This theme is developed in the short story “Harrison Bergeron” by Kurt Vonnegut, and also in the film 2081 directed by Chandler Tuttle. Tuttle’s film is based off of Vonnegut’s short story, however, through the portrayal of individualism, humanity, and a corrupt government, 2081 depicts a more realistic society than the short story “Harrison Bergeron.”

The novel also makes a unyielding point about the dangers of consumerism, emphasizing how creativity and individualism can be reduced by allowing the government and media to think for them. Perhaps the most important feature of the book is that readers understand the value of imagination and cultural heritage. These points would not be understood or accepted by readers if the novel failed to follow narrative structure, which is undeniably the most important aspect of any literary

Hollywood films have influenced our values and beliefs of socio-cultural groups within a film. In the context of race and gender the films Cowboys and Aliens (2011) and the searchers (1956) both share similarities. These two successful films are 55 years apart the both convey the perspectives of race and gender through the reflection of American Indians in these films. The films The Searchers and Cowboys and Aliens show that Hollywood has changed the way we see the status of Indians. In the earlier film the Indians are represented as killers and mongrels as in this current day and age we have grown to accept them and appreciate their culture. This is done prominently through both films as they feature the interaction between white Americans and Indians. The searchers depict the Indians as the villains who capture the girls from the white American families and are seen as a risk to the community. In the

Traditionally structured gender roles place both men and women into very strict categories. However, as we move into the future this way of thinking becomes increasingly archaic. Thinking of such things in such black and white terms gives one a narrow point of view and places people in categories which they do not fit. In Octavia Butler’s Dawn and William Gibson’s Neuromancer the ideas of the feminine gender role are redefined.

During the 1920s, American society began to adopt values that threatened the traditional values that remained from the 1800s. Many of these changes were a direct result of the youth culture of the time and how their uncertainty of who they were helped contribute to these changes in values. Throughout the decade, the struggle between modern and anti-modern values was exemplified in literature, drama and silent film of the American culture. “Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans” represents the conflicting modernist and anti-modernist sentiments of the time through its use of cinematography and characterization.

“Avatar,” a rich, suspenseful, marvellous three hour film encompasses an enticing story comprised of many key concepts from within our textbook. Through this film analysis of the film “Avatar,” one can inform themselves about the many key concepts within our textbook and how they correlate with the film; these key concepts discussed within this film analysis and demonstrated throughout the film include: self-disclosure, managing emotions, cultural differences in relationships, family rituals, and interpersonal conflict. Through this film, it was revealed that one can create an interpersonal relationship by following the key concepts of communication found within our textbook, regardless of vast cultural differences.

consequences of a kill by a hit man are many fold. Judah takes away the rest

Over the past century, film has served as a powerful means of communication to a global audience and has become a vital part of the contemporary culture in a world that is increasingly saturated by visual content. Due to the immediacy and the all-encompassing nature of film, the process of watching a film, is widely perceived to be a passive activity by the general masses. However, quoting Smith in his article about the study of film, “nothing could be further from the truth.” The study and understanding of film as an art form enhances the way we watch and appreciate films. It requires the audience's active participation and interaction with the film in order to fully comprehend the directors' intention behind every creative decision. With

Science fiction has become increasingly popular over the past few years as new innovative technology has made it possible for films to become more realistic. Avatar, being one of the highest ranked sci-fi films to be made, is a clear example of how the film industry is on a fast moving track towards a new era of science fiction storytelling. James Cameron’s Avatar exercised all new forms of cinematographic tools in order to bring one’s imagination to real life.

The media has long been recognized as important source of gender related information, television and cinema specifically influences its audience in a considerable way. (Denmark and Paludi 2008). With regards to the concept of gender cinema can offer a space where ambiguities of identities are played out; understanding the play of the categories of femininity and masculinity is very important in evaluating our own understandings of gender and how we react to different representations of it (Tasker 2002).If a film can show different individuals and we can recognize how social forces shape and constrain the individual according to classifications of gender it narrates an experience where we experience the film as gendered viewers. Film reflects and generates out own experience of gender over and above out own recognition and observation of it. (Pomerance 2001). Gender itself is a very complex concept to understand and portray onscreen, the concept of gender performativity was introduced by Judith butler in her book Gender Trouble: Gender Performance and Performativity.

“Avatar” (2009) is a science fiction film directed by the famed award winning director James Cameron. Its story follows a crippled space marine who ends up recruited by a corporation for their Avatar program on the planet Pandora. The Avatar program revolves around uploading human minds into bioengineered alien bodies and the purpose for this is to create beings that the native sentient race on Pandora, the Na’vi, can relate to, in order facilitate their pacification and the exploitation of their planet. Ultimately, the marine mind gets uploaded into an avatar host body and he gets adopted by the Na’vi. They teach him their ways and culture and that makes him develop a connection to them. Eventually, the corporation gets pressed for by time to make profits to justify the resources spent on Pandora and it pushes its hired mercenary forces into conflict with the Na’vi. The marine and other humans who share his connection with the Na’vi join the Na’vi in their fight against the corporate mercenaries. After a bloody battle,