Avatar

Avatar was a revelation of sorts for the movie industry. Built with a budget which exceeds most infrastructure projects in the whole of India, this movie has wowed Indian audiences with its visual appeal and immense depth of story telling. The special effects apart, the movie has also managed to underline the need for taming our excessive abuse of the environment. James Cameron has managed a to make a master piece which will be a cult classic for generations to come.

The primary reason for the movie's success in India has been its rich visual imagery coupled with the availability of 3D versions. Indian movie goers are fans of on-screen action and imagery. Bollywood movies made in Mumbai have huge sets and immaculate dance sequences. The reason is that Indian movie goers buy tickets to get "entertained" in the fashion of a roller coaster ride. Story is essential, but what is more essential is bold strokes of varying hues stretching right across the silver screen. No wonder that the 3D computer generated visuals of Avatar were a hit with Indian movie goers.

The fist part of the movie has a good build up of the story line. However the second part, especially towards the end becomes too much of a visual onslaught. In some sections towards the end of the movie, it becomes difficult to understand the action as the colors and fast pace of movements give a kaleidoscopic feel to the images on the screen. Nonetheless for the avid movie fan, the last scenes form the crescendo at the end of an immaculate operatic performance.

Another important achievement of the movie is to make the computer generated images of the imagined race totally believable. The emotions and expressions are delivered with perfect clarity and the viewer is hard pressed to find fault with the depiction of the "their" story. In fact some of the expressions are better than those provided by many of our present day wooden faced actors - especially the ones that have been pilfered in from other entertainment industries (like WWE wrestling, fashion modelling etc) into main stream cinema.

The only down side that can be perceived is the depiction of the "commercialization" of resources on a alien planet teeming with life. Given our fascination with alien life forms and the fact that we have not found another "soul" in the universe outside Earth, it is unlikely that such a planet if ever discovered - will be commercialized in the fashion shown in the movie. More likely is the eventuality, that we become a part of the new ecosystems and derive more subtle benefits from our interactions. My personal guess is that the depiction of the commercialization is a direct taunt at the US administration and its activities in war torn regions of the world.

As an excellent entertainment package - the movie delivers on many counts. On the one hand it stands out as a visual treat for the masses. On another layer of meaning - it lambastes present day attitudes towards exploitation of our environment. On the third front it brings to life an imagined race, from the minds of the creators to the graphic detail visible on screen. With Avatar, James Cameron has pull off a masterpiece which will be remembered for a long time to come.