Thinking about Film and Avatar

I love movies. I really, really, really love movies. If I have time and no motivation, there is nothing better than sitting around and watching movies. If I do have time, motivation and money, then there’s nothing better than going out to see a new release movie in the theatre. Like countless others, the most recent movie I have seen which captivated and moved me is Avatar. This film represents no small endeavor. I am hearing that Avatar may be the most expensive film ever made, which goes hand in hand with the statistics coming in now that Avatar is fast becoming the number one box office leader in sales. What is it about Avatar that appealed so strongly to me?
· The story telling aspect of Avatar is strong and powerful. Within moments, I was drawn in to the story and trying to sort who this young Marine brother is and what he is doing.
· The imagery and artistry is thoroughly engaging. It is almost too much. You know the saying that there can be too much of a good thing. Delicious birthday cake stops being delicious at some point in consumption. The visual design and art in Avatar is almost too much to bear. I think it pushes the extremes of animation and the limits of human visual pleasure. There are certain claims out there that people have died after viewing Avatar.
· The characters were strong and complex. As in real life, the lead characters in Avatar are from all walks of life and represent a wide array of personality type. The “good guys” and “bad guys” do emerge but not from the onset.
· The world of Pandora is limitless and expansive. We get a sense that there is so much more we have not seen of Pandora. Other lands and peoples are hinted and shown only briefly. Everything is large and rich and deep.
· The emotional storyline is at first subtle and later ever present. This movie begins in the head and ends in the heart. Broad character themes such as Love, Hope, Loyalty, Prejudice and Faith are played out in vivid color.