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"Avatar' Amazes Audiences At Adventure Accumulating Outright Oscar Nominations Now!"

By Kristen Agnew
Staff Writer


Agnew's Analysis:

Feb  04, 2010

'Avatar' (2010)

Source: http://www.imdb.com.
The movie is rated PG-13  for intense epic battle sequences and warfare, sensuality, language and some smoking.  The run time is 162 min.

Main Cast:
Sam Worthington - Jake Sully
Sigourney Weaver - Dr. Grace Augustine
Zoe Saldana - Neytiri
Stephen Lang - Colonel Miles Quaritch
 

  Movie Trailer for  "Avatar" will start in few seconds! Click right mouse for  replay
 

BACKGROUND:
Released in December 2009, Avatar quickly captured audiences and dollars as it climbed to international fame. On January 25, 2010, it was named the highest-grossing film of all time worldwide.  Producer James Cameron began the project in 1994 and waited for technology to advance to match his vision for the final product. Today, audiences are amazed at the intensity of movement, the clarity of 3D picture, and the imaginative quality of the film--if not the creativity of the storyline.  A sequel has already been announced.

PLOT SYNOPSIS:
In "Avatar', former marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) joins a scientific and diplomatic effort funded by a corporate mining operation on the planet Pandora, only to discover that he can no longer take orders. Dr. Grace Augustine (Sigourney Weaver) leads the study of the Omaticaya clan's biology and culture. When "non-academic" Jake enters their world in his hybrid Avatar-human body, he encounters the Princess Neyteri (Zoe Saldana) and her parents, who decide that he will train to be a Na'vi warrior.  Meanwhile, the mining operation is planning to destroy the Na'vi clan's territory for a precious mineral, and the Colonel (Stephen Lang) will stop at nothing to ensure this mission is a success.

CONTENT REVIEW:
Audiences identify with Avatar through its broad themes, which relate to technology, war, the politics of science, and spirituality. I heard several comparisons to past films, including Independence Day (1996), Pocahontas (1995), Dances With Wolves (1990), and Titanic (1997), though none of these screenplays best the novelty of Avatar's magical planet, Pandora, and the agile Na'vi people who call it home.  These beautiful, strange creatures may be blue, and twice as tall as the normal human, yet their emotions are as familiar as our own.  Their pride in their land, family stories, their deep connection to the natural world, their courage and their simultaneous vulnerability could stir up emotions that the viewer has set aside in the routines of modern living.  Personally, maybe somewhat ironically, I found it to be a refreshing reminder of the value of shared humanity.

SPIRITUAL CONNECTIONS:

Spoiler Alert I:
Spiritually, the film portrays a deep faith in a mother goddess (Eywa) and the sensitivity and awareness of this higher being amongst the Omaticaya clan.  Some Christians may call it idolatry, yet others will rejoice for evidence of Truth: The sacrifice that Jake and others make to save their friends. This is not quite Messianic, though it reminded me of the Christian call to lay down one's life for friends.

^"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."  (John 15:13)

Spoiler Alert II:
There is faith in a higher power, who is intricately connected with our existence. Though the name of Jesus is not mentioned in Avatar, there is a sense that spiritual awareness is valuable and necessary for a better life.

^"For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together." (Colossians 1:16-17, NIV)

SPOILER ALERT III:
There is a desire for new life. I walked out of the movie with a phrase from a common prayer resonating in my mind: "new and unending life in Him," which is sometimes read during Communion/Eucharist/Lord's Supper (name varying with Christian tradition). 

SPOILER ALERT IV:
Seeing the Omaticaya come together in worship and pleading for the lives of friends reminded me of the need for intercession and faith among God's people, even when death is at hand.

Hebrews 7:25  declares the redemptive power of Christ, such that prayer is an important act of reverence and even salvation, not just on our part, but on His, too.

Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. (Hebrews 7:25, NIV)

SPOILER ALERT V:
Just as Jake prayed for Eywa's help and received it, I believe there is a God who "is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth" (Psalm 145:18).

Romans 8:31b encourages the believer by asking, "If God is for us, who can be against us?"

QUESTIONS TO PONDER:

1. When was the last time we whole-heartedly prayed for something? Did we expect an answer, or did we pray despite doubt?

2. Do you know that Christ is pleading for you? 

This is not a singular journey we are facing.  How we respond to the events of our time will reflect what we ultimately believe. 

Express Your View

9. "Street Fighter: Legend of Chun Li' Leaves Audience Analyzing" / Feb 27, 2009 / June 30, 2009

8. "'Confessions of a Shopaholic' Save Friendships Fruitfully!"/ Feb 13, 2009 / June 23, 2009

7. "'Pink Panther 2' Totally Promotes People Fighting Failure" / Feb 06, 2009 / June 23, 2009

6. "Totally Tyler Perry's Picture: 'Madea Goes To Jail' Justifies Forgiveness' Fruit! / Feb 20, 2009 / June 16, 2009

5. “'Defiance' Details Freedom Fighters Nullifying Nazi's! /Jan 16, 2009/ June 02, 2009

4. "Surprisingly 'Slumdog Millionaire' Makes Eight Expensive Oscars Outright!"  /Jan 23, 2009 / June 01, 2009 By Kristen Agnew

3. “'Taken' Tells About A Pa's Persistence!”  /Jan 30, 2009 / May 12, 2009

2. “Underworld: Rise of the Lycans' Unites Underprivileged!”  /Jan 23, 2009/ May 12, 2009/

1. “'LoveTakesWing' Lets Lord's Ways Win!” / Unavailable

REVIEWS OF DVD RELEASES OF 2008:

22. "Dark Knight' Kindles Joker's Judgment, Justifying Satan's Sinister Soul Search" /July 18, 2008 / Dec 09, 2008

21. "Get Smart' Sagaciously Saves People Publicly" / June 20, 2008 / Nov 04, 2008

20. "Incredible Hulk' Helps Humans Have History!" / June 13, 2008 / Oct 21, 2008

19. "'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' Surprisingly Sagged!" / May 22, 2008 / Oct 14, 2008

18. "'Iron Man's' Machine Suit Saves  Citizens Carefully!' / May 02, 2008 / Sept 30, 2008

17. "'Bucket List' Lovingly Leaves Life Laudable!" /  Jan 11, 2008 / June 10, 2008

16. "Flawless' Forgoes Forgiveness For Foes" / March 28, 2008 / June 03, 2008

15.  "Semi Pro' Portrays Sacrificial Success" / Feb 29, 2008 / June 03, 2008

14. "Meet the Spartans' Sends Malignant Message!" / Jan 25, 2008 / June 03, 2008

13.  "'The Eye' Elevates Donor's Deliverance!" / Feb 01, 2008 / June 03, 2008

12. "National Treasure 2' Tests Truth Through Time!" / Dec 21, 2007 / May 20, 2008

11. "'Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian' caringly Christocentric"  / May 16, 2008 /  Dec 02, 2008

10. 'Untraceable' Unabashed Viewing Victims!" / Jan 25, 2008 / May 13, 2008

9. "'Over Her Dead Body' Brings Love's Laughter!" / Feb 01, 2008 / May 06, 2008

8. "'P.S. I Love You' Yells Love's Language!" / Dec 21, 2007 / May 06, 2008

7. "'Hero Wanted' Wonderfully Renders Redemption!" /March 28, 2008 / April 29, 2008

6. "'How She Moves' Makes Sizzling Steps!" /Jan 25, 2008 /April 29, 2008

5. "'Golden Compass' Contradicts Christ's Creation!"/ Dec 07, 2007/ April 29, 2008

4. "One Missed Call' Causes Evil's Eruption!" / Jan 04, 2008 / April 22, 2008

3. "Totally Baked'  Brings Beelzebub's Badness!" /Unavailable / April 20, 2008

2. "The Invasion' Imparts Inoculations Inevitability!" / Aug 17, 2007 / Jan 29, 2008

1. “'Incendiary' Invokes Illicit Sex Sowing Crumbling Consequences Through Terrorism!” / Unavailable / Jan 20, 2008

REVIEWS OF DVD RELEASES OF 2007:

11. "'Rush Hour 3' Renders Renegade Relative Ruthless!" /Aug 10, 2007 / Dec 20, 2007

10. "'The Bourne Ultimatum' Universally Unravels U.S.A's' Undercover Utilities / Aug 03, 2007 / Dec 10, 2007

9. "'Transformers' Thrusts Towards Truth!" / July 03, 2007 / Dec 10, 2007

8. "'Live Free Or Die Hard' Heightens Humans Hurts!" / June 27, 2007/ Nov 20, 2007

7. "Spiderman's search for Salvation saved scorching soul" / May 04, 2007 / Oct 02, 2007

6. 'The Astronaut Farmer' Follows Family's Faithfulness! / Feb 23, 2007 / July 10, 2007

5. "'The Contractor' Creates Catastrophe for Cops!" / Unavailable / July 10, 2007

4. "Hannibal Rising' Reveals Revenge's Radicalism" /Feb 09, 2007 / May 29, 2007

3. "'The Last Sin Eater' Emphasizes Emancipation Enters Endlessly" / Feb 09, 2007 / May 15, 2007

2. "'Illegal Aliens' Assist Earth's Emancipation" /Unavailable / May 01, 2007

1. "'Happily NEver After' Alters Age-old Analysis!"/ Jan 05, 2007 / May 01, 2007

REVIEWS OF DVD RELEASES OF 2006:

10. Pirates Of The Caribbean 2 (2006) / July 07, 2006 / Nov 20, 2006
9. Superman Returns (2006) / June 28, 2006 / Nov 28, 2006
8. "'Captured By You' Yells Greed's Game!" /March 21, 2003 / Oct 24, 2006
7. X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) / May 26, 2006 / Oct 03, 2006
6. Last Holiday (2006) / January 13, 2006 / May 02, 2006
5. End Game (2006) / Unavailable / May 02, 2006
4. Swarmed (2005) / Unavailable / May 02, 2006
3. The Detonator (2006) / Unavailable / April 25, 2006
2. The Visitation (2006) / Unavailable / Feb 28, 2006
1. Red Eye (2005) / August 19, 2005 / Jan 10, 2006

REVIEWS OF DVD RELEASES OF 2005:

16. The Island (July 2005) / July 22, 2005 / Dec 13, 2005
15. Fantastic Four (2005) / July 08, 2005 / December 06, 2005
14. Batman Begins (2005) / June 15, 2005 / October 18, 2005
13. Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005) / June 10, 2005 / Nov 29, 2005
12. Hostage (2005) /March 11, 2005 / June 21, 2005
11. Hitch (2005)  /Feb 11, 2005 / June 14, 2005
10. Spiderman: The Venom Saga (2005) / Unavailable/ June 07, 2005
9. Swimming Upstream (2003) / Feb 27, 2003 / May 31, 05
8. Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith / May 19, 2005 / Nov 01, 2005
7. xXx: State of the Union (2005) / April 29, 2005 /  July 26, 2005
6. The Interpreter (2005)  / April 22, 2005 / October 04, 2005
5. In Good Company (2005) / January 14, 2005 / May 10, 2005
4. National Treasure (2004) / November 19, 2004 / May 03, 2005
3. Ocean's 12 (2004)  / December 10, 2004 / April 12, 2005
2. Blade: Trinity (2004) / December 08, 2004 / April 26, 2005
1. Suspect Zero (2004) / August 27, 2004 / April 12, 2005

REVIEW OF DVD RELEASES OF 2004:

1. 'Paycheck' is worth the money / December 25, 2003 / May 18, 2004 

DVD RELEASES OF 2003:

2. City By the Sea' Sinks Family Life! / September 06, 2002 / Feb 18, 2003
1. Blood Work' Pumps Up the Blood!  / August 09, 2002 / June 01, 2003

DVD RELEASES OF 2001:

1. 'Replicant' created to save lives! / May 11, 2001 / October 16, 2001

DVD RELEASES OF 1999:

1. 'Retroactive' is actively time wrapped  / January 1, 1997  /August 24, 1999