Avatar.

As I read through this week's readings I was frankly surprised at how many of the authors viewed Avatar so positively. Typically for Hollywood blockbusters the approach to the film is to develop awe inspiring action scenes, limited and reductive dialogue with an element of humor, and most significantly avoid any controversial subjects, issues or discussions to ensure that the film appeals to the widest audience. In our more globalized world this makes Hollywood films even more "vanilla" so to speak to ensure that films can be released worldwide. The film being censored in China was particularly noteworthy since China presents such a large market for films these days. Avatar did meet the criteria of the objectives outlined above in its format, and I think that the contributors recognized that but still found redeeming qualities in the film. Certainly the film developed a believeable world that was nevertheless new and interesting to the audience including the authors we read this week. However, the film suffers from the requirement to present a simplified plot and character group. I do think that James Cameron worked to try and develop the Na'vi(s) based on examples from native American practices, and as Derek mentioned these practices have some solid basis. However, the film oversimplifies things in ways that ultimately serve to confirm common perceptions of indigenous people by Western culture and people. The indigenous science fiction reading from last week offers a good comparison showing the complexity of contact i.e. the contact example in which the indigenous population battles the invaders and obtains a no contact status except mentions the questions of how has a society now changed since contact occured. The complexity of life doesn't fulfill the desire for happy endings after a two and a half hour blockbuster movie. The audience isn't paying to leave the film grappling with the complexity of the experiences of indigenous people post-contact. The audience is there for entertainment. This doesn't mean there are no redeeming qualities to the movie. Certainly if the movie provokes interest by some to learn more about the effects of colonization on indigenous peoples or see what struggles indigenous groups are engaging in politically today, the movie has offered some benefit to the audience members. But as I have explained I think these cases are limited.