Does 'Avatar' perpetuate stereotypes?

[hbarcat]

. . . We have this indigenous population of humanoid beings who are living at a relatively Neolithic level; they hunt with bows and arrows. They live very closely and harmoniously with their environment, but they are also quite threatening to the humans who are trying to colonize and mine and exploit this planet.

Sounds like you've crafted a story with a lot of political resonance.

Only in the very broadest sense of how we as a Western technological civilization deal with indigenous cultures; we basically supplant them. . . .


Is this really the best storyline James Cameron could come up with? Do we really need a movie plot that warns Western civilization that it's wrong to slaughter the aboriginals and dump garbage everywhere? What century is this?

I actually did enjoy this movie and thought it was great fun - but only because I didn't take the plot seriously. Unfortunately, James won't be happy with the fact that a lot of people are poo-pooing his socially conscious message. I think he should stick to making cool movies and leave the deep philosophical issues to those better equipped for it. IMO.

 

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

This would have made for a much better movie. I may start my writing career by typing it up and sending it to Analog. I'll give you full credit, and none of the money.

Go for it. I'll accept the Oscar.

 

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

I'm still upset at the anti-imperialism and anti-militarism in Star Wars!!

 

[mike_v_s]

I'm still upset at the anti-imperialism and anti-militarism in Star Wars!!

Not only that, but the majority of the bad guys were stupid and white while their leader had to wear a black suit to give him a hint of credibility as a badass. I had been VERY upset about this since it's release, but I'm taking the Johnson Approach and getting over it.

Mike

 

[Ziltoid]

Nice.

Who mentioned it 2 pages ago ?

haha, actually my dad made me noticed after he saw it that he thought it was really similar with pocahontas.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I can't remember the last time Hollywood made a move with the military as a positive role model.

Any suggestions?

Stripes. And that wasn't the last time.



BTW I watched Avatar and I didn't know those were Americans... I thought they were from Earth.

 

[WalterBush]

Not only that, but the majority of the bad guys were stupid and white while their leader had to wear a black suit to give him a hint of credibility as a badass.
Mike

Okay, but there was still a crusty old white guy under that badass armor. There's a great monologue about it in Chasing Amy.

 

[mike_v_s]

Okay, but there was still a crusty old white guy under that badass armor. There's a great monologue about it in Chasing Amy.

That was my point. Crusty old white guy: not so menacing. Put him in a black suit and give him Jame Earl Jones' voice: instant badass.

Mike

 

[Handyman]

Avatar makes great cabinets at a great price. What's the problem?

 

[majortoby]

I'm still upset at the anti-earth ending. ME WANT MINERALS ME WANT MINERALS ME WANT MINERALS ME WANT MINERALS

 

[GregDunn]

I think the biggest stereotype it perpetrates is that Hollywood can't--or won't--make a movie of a decent, original SF idea.

Sigh.

+1000

 

[IotaNet]

... Gargarmel was a mean old Caucasian guy that tried ceaselessly to destroy the peaceful communal society of the little blue people ...

Damn! You gave me Gargamel and Ron Jeremy (your profile pic) in the same post. Not sure how I feel about that but it definitely warranted commentary.

I saw a whole string of stereotypes paraded throughout the film, some racial, some not. I think Hollywood relies on such stereotypes so that they can tell a story without actually inventing anything new, or wasting precious special-effects time by developing characters.

I also plunked down my money, slapped on the 3D glasses for extra dorkdom, and enjoyed the view. I wasn't looking for the second coming of Citizen Kane. Shoot, I wasn't even looking for Star Wars Episode 2.

Bingo -- that's about as deep as it got for me. A fun popcorn-fest that was full of amazing eye-candy. Well worth what I spent to see it.

 

[TrooperFarva]

Were the Smurfs Racist? Gargarmel was a mean old Caucasian guy that tried ceaselessly to destroy the peaceful communal society of the little blue people. If his cat had turned against him and helped the Smurfs try to defeat his evil plots, it would pretty much be the same story. No?

Gargamel was an exaggeration of both capitalism and jews. Remember, Gargamel wanted to turn the smurfs into gold. The smurfs lived in a communist society. Smurfs that try to stand out, such as Brainy Smurf, were mocked, while smurfs who just worked diligently, like Handy Smurf, were praised. Smurf itself is an acronym, Soviet Men Under Red Father. Papa Smurf is modeled after Karl Marx.

At least that's the theory.

 

[MatticusMania]

Gargamel was an exaggeration of both capitalism and jews. Remember, Gargamel wanted to turn the smurfs into gold. The smurfs lived in a communist society. Smurfs that try to stand out, such as Brainy Smurf, were mocked, while smurfs who just worked diligently, like Handy Smurf, were praised. Smurf itself is an acronym, Soviet Men Under Red Father. Papa Smurf is modeled after Karl Marx.

At least that's the theory.

conspiracy theory.
I kid