With its $237 million budget, and 12 years of production, the story behind James Cameron's "Avatar" easily eclipses the film's plot. But for a film that's far more interested in drowning the audience in drool-worthy special effects and epic 45-minute battle scenes than anything else, that's not necessarily a bad thing.
Not that I'm complaining. No one is going to see "Avatar" solely for the story. Cameron has built his career on embracing style-heavy spectacle; developing the most innovative special effects technology, making every movie a singular event. "Avatar" is no exception. Although the story is nuanced with environmental pathos, White guilt and American imperialism - a pastiche merging Pocahontas with "Fern Gully," swapping Indians with blue, cat-like aliens -- the film rarely slows down enough to seriously scrutinize its own subjects. But eloquent social commentary is never the goal of Hollywood blockbusters.
The story is engaging and fun, full of campy clichéd one-liners 90s action movies built scripts on. Though, Cameron's focus lies elsewhere. "Avatar" seeks not only to transport the audience to a foreign planet -- immersing every sense in bioluminescent flora and psychedelic fauna through Herculean 3-D -- but also to the nostalgia of childhood. Cameron's created a film enamored with imagery and sensation; the kind of pure escapism all truly great genre films share. The plot, while contextualizing the planet Pandora and its native Na 'vi aliens, is almost an unnecessary distraction; an afterthought. The slight stabs "Avatar" takes at The Man are ham-fisted and hypocritical, considering Cameron's anti-corporate message is sponsored by McDonalds.
The only question remaining is how the exhausting excess of "Avatar" will age. Cameron could probably care less though. If "Avatar" proves anything, he'll be exploring another thrilling new world.
Rating: 4/5
Watch the trailer for James Cameron's "Avatar"
Prepare your own Mexican quick fix with this Chipotle-inspired bowl. Carbs are moderated by filling the bowl with beans, extra veggies and chicken. No need for rice, since the beans count as carbs.
Tips:
If you love tomatoes, increase the quantity to 1/2 cup, but note that the carbohydrates will also increase.
If preparing this recipe for one person, cut all of the ingredients in half. Or simply prepare the full recipe up to the end of step 2 and store leftover chicken and vegetable-bean mixture in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave on High for 1 to 2 minutes, or until heated through, and continue with step 3.
Health Bite: The iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper and zinc in black beans help to keep bones strong and healthy.
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