James Cameron. Visionary, madman, genius, falls without a safety net and glides smoothly over tons of greenbacks. One project he devised 15 years ago has mutated into a battleship that moves forward and overwhelms everything. Then 3D glasses obligatory, we dive into the wonderful world of Pandora. Alien reality unfolds like an egg, threatening and fascinating. A Disney fairy tale with fluorescent colors that recalls the deep ocean. Extraterrestrial sweet and fierce, they move as slight sinuous felines, and they live in deep harmony with the wilderness.
Clash of civilizations. Between a decadent humanity – looking desperately for resources – which has made the Earth a desert exasperating studies of robotics and genetics. And an outlander culture, alien, `primitive` who loves the great mother (Eywa) source of life and energy, in a mix of Africa and prehistory.
The mind goes to Pocahontas – the female lead (Zoe Saldana) remembers a lot – but Obama`s America no longer looks to the natives but to the black continent. Dutiful homage to the "queen of the aliens“ Sigourney Weaver, that Cameron himself had directed in the second chapter of the famous saga ("Aliens"). Here, Weaver is a scientist expert in botany, a bit outside the box (she smokes all the time!). Sam Worthington is the dull marine who infiltrates the Na`vi, and who starts loving their way of life. He becomes reluctantly the hero, the chosen one.
A simple plot, a basic philosophy, the good are good and the bad, bad. Everything is clear, black or white, without shades. The actors, now swallowed up by the motion capture have mutated into mimes. Their recitation is very physical, made of gestures and movements.
A new generation of special effects and the result is extraordinary, a feast for the eyes, 2 hours and 40 marching off in a flash.
But when the dragging wave of special effects recedes what will be left on the beach? Can "Avatar" reach the heights and depth of films like "The Lord of the Rings" or "Star Wars"?
Francesca Bani
