Is Avatar the Next Star Wars?
By AMZ Guest Writer Spaceyshady
January 24, 2010 - Following Jake Sully through his journey was without a doubt one of the greatest experiences. An experience unrivaled by any other movie. From the arrival to Pandora, transference of consciousness into a Na’vi being and the final thrilling battle that ensues, you feel like you were right next to the characters; especially if you witnessed this in 3D. (I highly recommend it)
The main story, of course, is usually criticized for being unoriginal. A spy is sent to infiltrate the enemy. The spy falls in love with their culture and usually a female, too. He then switches sides. (Ex: Dances with Wolves or The Last Samurai )
Some people had problems with a messiah scenario, but this is in fact it’s strongest connection to Star Wars. A savior is what is at the very heart of the Star Wars saga. Anakin bringing balance to the force through his ultimate redemption. Neo from The Matrix trilogy is another messianic figure that helps to bring harmony between two opposing forces. Of course, Avatar does have many other similarities to Star Wars.
1. Both Luke and Jake begin their adventures with a death. Luke’s aunt and uncle die. Jake loses his brother, Tom.
2. Each story swept you away to a vibrant world full of rich environments. Pandora’s Hallelujah Mountains are even more magnificent than the waterfalls on Naboo or the hot magma thats flows on Mustafar. I must say, watching Hometree burn was much like watching the Jedi Temple fall to the hands of the Empire.
3. While it may seem obvious, each movie has very memorable characters. Trudy Chacon is the closest to Han Solo as it gets. She knows that things on Pandora aren’t what they seem to be. But you, as a viewer, aren’t sure if she is willing to stand up for the wrongdoings. Dr. Grace Augustine is to Jake Sully as Obi-wan is to Luke Skywalker. Though she doesn’t sacrifice her life for Jake’s, she does open Jake’s eyes to a much larger world. I will also readily admit that many of Avatar’s other secondary characters are painted with a broad stroke. It would be interesting to see them expanded upon in the coming sequels.
4. Star Wars has the relentless Empire that will stop at nothing to maintain it’s grip on the galaxy. Avatar has it’s military that’s hell bent on obtaining unobtainium. I don’t think Colonel Quaritch matches the villainy of Darth Vader but he does show an utter distaste for the natives on Pandora that is similar to Vader’s hate for the rebellion.
5. Aliens that leave you spellbound. From the Omaticaya clan to the other natives, Pandora is full of creatures that rival those in the Star Wars universe.
6. The Jedi have the force and the Na’vi have Eywa. You must unlearn what you have learned; embrace nature. Luke finds himself through Yoda’s teachings just as Jake finds himself through Neytiri’s.
I’m excited to see where the story goes from here. Cameron is synonymous for turning things upside down when it comes to continuing a story. I’m guessing that Avatar will be no different. Things will surely have to get more epic if it’s to become a Star Wars of its own. The story has unfathomable potential. The humans, I posit, will surely return. A villain with more depth would be greatly appreciated.
What lies in store for Jake and Neytiri can only be guessed at this point. Will they have a child? Will their love last? Any great storyteller would agree that the best of love is love that does not last. ( Ex: Neo/Trinity, Romeo/Juliet, Mark Antony/Cleopatra). And to truly make the story immortal, the hero has to sacrifice himself for the greater good. (Ex: Neo, Anakin, Frodo, Oedipus, Jesus) All of these scenarios doesn’t necessarily have to occur. However, in order to make Avatar a story for the ages and Jake one of the hero’s with a thousand faces, he’s got his work cut out for him.
My final thought: Avatar is a phenomenal movie. It has brought 3D to the forefront of cinema. People who normally would pass on science fiction stories have embraced this special picture. It is amassing a cult following of its own and has opened a lot of eyes to some of the selfish ways of humanity.
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