Avatar (2009)

My Review

Producer-director-screenwriter James Cameron (“Titanic” 1997) created the epic space opera film “Avatar,” the story of humans in the 22nd Century colonizing the planet Pandora in the Alpha Centauri system, due to over-pollution of Earth. Conflict arises when natives realize that the invaders are destroying their civilization for the planet’s natural resources.

The dramatic story, ground-breaking special effects like motion-capture technology, great acting, and high quality production values all contributed to “Avatar” breaking box office records, becoming the highest grossing motion picture of all time, breaking Cameron’s “Titanic” record income from 1997.

The cast includes Sam Worthington as the disabled former Marine who becomes part of the Avatar program, Zoe Saldana as native girl Neytiri the love interest of Worthington, Sigourney Weaver as the head of Avatar, Giovanni Ribisi as the mining administrator, Stephen Lang as head of security, Michelle Rodriguez as a fighter pilot, Joel David Moore and Dileep Rao as scientists, Wes Studi as tribal chief, Laz Alonso as a top warrior, and CCH Pounder as a local priest.

The watchable “Avatar” was a big hit for producer James Camerson, Dune Entertainment, Ingenious Film Partners, Lightstorm Entertainment, and 20th Century Fox. It was filmed in Wellington, New Zealand, and on the islands of Kauai and Oahu, Hawaii. Sequels include “Avatar: The Way of Water” (2022) and “Avatar: Fire and Ash” (2025). Two more sequels are reportedly in the works.

“Avatar” was nominated for nine Academy Awards, winning three: Best Art Direction, Best Visual Effects, and Best Cinematography (Mauro Fiore). Non-winners include Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Score (James Horner), Best Film Editing, Best Sound Editing, and Best Sound Mixing.