As the new movie in the series, Avatar: The Way of Water hits the theaters, it brings us back to 2009 where the first movie was released. Being one of the highest-grossing films at $2.922 billion USD, fans were beyond excited for the 2022 release.
It is the year 2154 and as humanity progresses from a type I civilization to a type II (based on the Kardashev scale), Avatar is set in the Alpha Centauri A system, roughly 4.37 light-years away, on the lush habitable moon of a gas giant, Pandora. As the humans venture off to discover habitable exoplanets, given the inflexible finite matter insufficient to sustain the humans, they discover they are not alone on Pandora. The indigenous blue-skinned Na’vi live in complex societies with language, culture, and kinship relations, however like the European voyages during the Age of Exploration, they find difficulties in reconciling their differences.
We see similarities in the discovery of the New World, where God, Gold, and Glory were the main driving factors for exploration. However, the humans are looking for a new viable alternative as the Earth is dying. Like Christopher Columbus and the native Taínos, the Na’vi are victims to selfish ambitions.
An image of the Hallelujah Mountain from the original Avatar film in 2009. (Source: Decent Films)
Vastly different from themselves, the humans soon realize the Na’vi as threats impeding their mission. Paraplegic former marine Jake Sully embarks on the journey to Pandora. Due to the poisonous atmosphere on Pandora, human/Na’vi hybrids called “avatars” are needed to move freely where a human mind inhabits the body. Through this, Jake is able to regain movement and embrace the beauty of Pandora discovering unique animals roaming about. Dragon-like creatures, floating dandelion-like plants, and a daily eclipse are just some of the vast unique qualities on Pandora. What sets the Na’vi apart from the humans is the ability to connect with the organisms through a physical ability attached to their heads.
However, upon entering his avatar body, Jake discovers the greedy corporate intentions to drive away the Na’vi to mine for precious material scattered across the rich woodland. While Jake infiltrates the indigenous people while gathering intel, he falls in love with not only the people and its rich culture, he falls in love with a young, beautiful Neytiri. As he dives deeper and integrates into the Na’vi society, he realizes the value of nature and is torn between the two— humans vs. the Na’vi— where he ultimately fights for the Na’vi in preserving Pandora. Victorious, the humans, or as they are called “sky-people,” are driven away and this is where the first movie ends off on.
The battle between modern human and nature, as well as how imperialism, racism, militarism and patriotism, corporate greed, property rights, spirituality and religion are all handled in the movie.
Major Themes
While one of the biggest themes depicted in Avatar is “Horrors of imperialism”. Cameron’s (director) depiction of the effects of human colonization on the extraterrestrial moon Pandora served as an allegory for how European invaders during colonial times treated indigenous people all over the world. Due to resource depletion, the locals were captured by foreign military involvement. Native people were brutish, illiterate, and technologically incapable. The fact that the main character is a human and successfully saves the day by uniting natives just serves as further justification for the colonial messianic complex.
Another main theme is “Nature and technology”. There are obvious tensions and odd resolutions between them. With humans appearing to be technologically corrupt, greedy, and aggressors who believe they own the entire earth. They used technology to make clones as hosts, destroy their native country, and damage the people’s precious sites. The Na’vi people, on the other hand, are tolerant, peaceful, kind, and wise because they have a spiritual connection to nature. In contrast to so-called civilized humans, they value life and respect it. However, there is a weird connection between technology and flora because the collective plant life on Pandora’s globe is wired via neutral connections. Therefore, Na’vi have access to neutral links,which allow users to access past memories or send messages to Eywa. This illustration demonstrates technology and nature can live in harmony if not misused.
The last theme is “Religion and spirituality”. The complex spiritual consciousness of the Na’vi is depicted in “Avatar” by drawing inspiration from important elements of world mythology. The inhabitants venerate the nearby tree and the ruling god Eywa. The movie poses the query of whether mutual collaboration or religious belief is more conducive to sustainable development. The battle between paganism and Christianity is also another pantheistic topic.
A scene at the Tree of Souls. (Source: ScreenRant)
Avatar: The Way of Water is not only a visually-stunning film, but also a complex one filled with lessons. Similarly to the first Avatar movie, this film continues iterating lessons of treating our environment with respect. Viewers who see the destruction inflicted on the environment and animals will hopefully feel a sense of duty to do better moving forward.
The film also focuses heavily on Jake’s relationships with his family members, both those connected to him by blood and his chosen family. These relationships remind us that family is family, regardless of whether or not it’s by blood. Family can be chosen and provides us with the strong support system to keep persevering, even in the hardest of times. The closeness of family is gorgeously shown through the lengths they all go to keep each other safe.
Overall, Avatar: The Way of Water is worth watching, though it’s recommended you view it in 3D to experience the full immersive experience. It’s beautifully crafted through the use of new technologies including underwater cameras and augmented reality, which allows digital elements to be layered on top of the real world. Filled with action and emotion, it’s the perfect and long-awaited sequel to the first Avatar.
Authors: Cynthia Song, Jin Wang, Ariela Kao
