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Avatar rant
Here there be spoilers...and grumpitude.
So, yes, very pretty (though I felt like I was at a rave - too much day-glo after a while) and it was awesome seeing my friend's names in the credit <3 (so proud) and seeing friends on screen. And it was a fun ride and was like being in a video game.
But the story? Ugh, come ON man. Sucktastick and offensive, and it bothers me more and more as time goes on.
- Indigenous culture with all manner of knowledge at their disposal - and they just let some white guy waltz in and obey him almost instantly? Lame.
- Oh, and white guy, not only saves the day, but becomes more awesome than any of the indigenous people by riding the big fuck-off bird no one else can ride? Did they need to do that? Dumb.
- Sigourney Weaver, so cool, strong older female character - oh, actually, nope she'd rather spend more time in her rocking hot sexy young body, actually. Why couldn't her avatar been old and smart too - not look like a teenager?
- Bad guys, so evil cuz they don't care about the environment and are mean to the indigenous peoples. Two-dimensional, and pretty rich given McDonald's merchandising tie-ins (McDonald's cares about the McEnvironment, yo!)
- And no matter what you do, it's OK, as long as you get your legs back because being disabled sucks. So betray your own people, or your new friends, so you can get your legs back.
The story isn't just bad, it's offensive. And it didn't have to be. It could have been a perfectly predictable, simple story that still showcased the awesome technical aspects of this film while being very pretty to look at and a fun ride. But James Cameron, I dunno, is sloppy or lazy or just plain clueless.
*grumble grumble grumble*
So, yes, very pretty (though I felt like I was at a rave - too much day-glo after a while) and it was awesome seeing my friend's names in the credit <3 (so proud) and seeing friends on screen. And it was a fun ride and was like being in a video game.
But the story? Ugh, come ON man. Sucktastick and offensive, and it bothers me more and more as time goes on.
- Indigenous culture with all manner of knowledge at their disposal - and they just let some white guy waltz in and obey him almost instantly? Lame.
- Oh, and white guy, not only saves the day, but becomes more awesome than any of the indigenous people by riding the big fuck-off bird no one else can ride? Did they need to do that? Dumb.
- Sigourney Weaver, so cool, strong older female character - oh, actually, nope she'd rather spend more time in her rocking hot sexy young body, actually. Why couldn't her avatar been old and smart too - not look like a teenager?
- Bad guys, so evil cuz they don't care about the environment and are mean to the indigenous peoples. Two-dimensional, and pretty rich given McDonald's merchandising tie-ins (McDonald's cares about the McEnvironment, yo!)
- And no matter what you do, it's OK, as long as you get your legs back because being disabled sucks. So betray your own people, or your new friends, so you can get your legs back.
The story isn't just bad, it's offensive. And it didn't have to be. It could have been a perfectly predictable, simple story that still showcased the awesome technical aspects of this film while being very pretty to look at and a fun ride. But James Cameron, I dunno, is sloppy or lazy or just plain clueless.
*grumble grumble grumble*
no subject
I dunno, it's not groundbreaking. It's just day-glo.
It's not to say I didn't enjoy the pretty. I'm just sort of surprised that more people aren't grumbling about the offensive storyline.
no subject
Here's a good start : http://disabledfeminists.com/2009/11/21/james-camerons-avatar/
Personally I liked the helicopter lizards. :)
no subject
I like one of the terms I read today: Avatar = Dances with Smurfs. Hah!!