“Avatar” is a 2009 American science-fiction film directed by James Cameron. The movie stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez, and Giovanni Ribisi. The film was written and directed by James Cameron, and it was released in both 2D and 3D formats. “Avatar” has a runtime of 162 minutes and is rated PG-13 for intense epic battle sequences and warfare, sensuality, language and some smoking.
Synopsis:
“Avatar” is set in the 22nd century and follows the story of Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), a paraplegic marine who is sent to the planet Pandora on a mission to infiltrate the Na'vi, the indigenous humanoid species, and gather intelligence for the human military. However, as Jake spends more time with the Na'vi and falls in love with one of their own, Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), he begins to question his loyalty to his own kind and ultimately leads a rebellion against the humans who seek to exploit Pandora's resources.
Review:
“Avatar” is a visually stunning film that immerses the viewer in the world of Pandora and the Na'vi. The movie's groundbreaking visual effects and 3D technology set a new standard for cinematic immersion and spectacle. However, beyond the visuals, the film's story is a bit derivative and predictable, with a “white savior” narrative and familiar tropes of corporate greed and environmentalism. The movie's performances are solid, with standout performances by Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana, but the characters are somewhat one-dimensional. Overall, “Avatar” is a must-watch for its groundbreaking visuals and technical achievements but falls short in its storytelling.
Awards:
“Avatar” was a critical and commercial success, and it won or was nominated for numerous awards, including:
- Winner of Best Picture and Best Director for James Cameron at the Golden Globe Awards 2010
- Winner of Best Visual Effects, Best Cinematography, and Best Art Direction at the Academy Awards 2010
- Winner of Best Science Fiction Film and Best Special Effects at the Saturn Awards 2010
- Winner of Best Live Action 3D Feature at the International 3D Society Awards 2010.
| Directed by | James Cameron |
|---|---|
| Produced by | James Cameron Jon Landau |
| Written by | James Cameron |
| Starring | Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez, Sigourney Weaver, |
| Music by | James Horner |
| Cinematography | Mauro Fiore |
| Edited by | Stephen Rivkin John Refoua James Cameron |
| Production companies |
20th Century Fox Lightstorm Entertainment Dune Entertainment Ingenious Film Partners |
| Distributed by | 20th Century Fox |
| Release date | December 10, 2009 (London) December 18, 2009 (United States) |
| Running time | 162 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $237 million $9 million+ (re-release) |
| Box office | $2.79 billion |