Pandora and Beckoning Worlds

As a child, I had a picture book with a particularly intriguing illustration. It showed a ring of fairies in the moonlight, each one with a different expression. Beneath a sky of brilliant violet and indigo, the ground looked coated with soft, green moss. There was something about it that looked so wonderful and magical that I was certain it was mysteriously real. Several times, I'd secretly stay awake until midnight. Suddenly opening the bookmarked page, I was convinced I'd catch at least one of the fairies moving or looking startled at my discovery of their world. I'm sure I won't ruin any suspense by saying that I was unsuccessful every time.

But that feeling, that hope of being able to experience another world felt very real when watching James Cameron's Avatar in 3D. I may be one of the few people who could have been satisfied if the film had eliminated the spectacular battle scenes in favor of a deeper exploration into the Na'Vi culture and a kind of travelogue across the planet. There were times when Pandora's color palette was so much like that old illustration that I had to smile. I loved that the Na'Vi shared the Native American tradition of offering a prayer of gratitude for the animal they'd just killed for their own sustenance. And there was a continued theme of connectivity of the people to the land, to the animals. This was literally played out when the Na'Vi would attach the end of their long braids to the end of an animal's tail and the two would move as one. So much begged further detail...the Tree of Life, the Hanging Islands, the many unnamed elements that kept my eyes on the screen at all times.

I realize that this sounds, especially to those who haven't seen the film, all very cliche in a kind of hippy-chic way. Honestly, I don't wear patchouli and I do shave my legs. I suppose since the film's setting is literally on a different planet, the ideas of harmony with nature and mutual respect seemed fresh and interesting. That in itself is an intruguing accomplishment.

If James Cameron's only goal had been to create a film that was a masterpiece of storytelling, I think he fell short. But, his goal of offering audiences an invitation to another planet that was unlike anything they'd experienced before, I have to applaud his success. And, thank the incredible artists who worked on the project, bringing me to the very edge of a new world.