Sci - fi Case Study: Avatar
Transcript of Sci - fi Case Study: Avatar
Plot• Set in 2154, humans have slowly depleted the earth of all of it’s resources
however to continue supporting themselves they have traveled to another planet
called Pandora, a densely forested planet with an atmosphere poisonous to
humans. Enabling them to travel on the planet and gather resources without
breathing in the poisonous fumes they have disguised themselves as Na’vi, a
blue skinned, sapien humanoid which inhabits Pandora and lives in harmony with
nature by worshipping a mother goddess known as Eywa. The duty then falls
upon an x-marine called Jake sully to befriend the Na’vi and learn more about
their culture and how they are connected to nature however as he grows more
closer to their tribe Jake then discovers the horrid truth which his superiors are
planning to do to Pandora as well as the Na’vi. In then becomes apparent that he
must befriend them not just to follow orders but also to convince them to leave
their home tree in order to survive the force of the humans.
Settings• The main surrounding of the story is
based on Pandora, the home planet
of the Na’vi. It deals with heavily
dense, alien like trees and plant life
as well as creatures which the Na’vi
either associate with or hunt for prey.
The surrounding also descends to the
skies as there are floating islands to
be seen
where specific flying species live.
Setting• On the other hand, the lab which
the humans are usually allocated
in in order to create and function
the Avatars appears very high
tech and futuristic, being able to
clearly distinguish that the
setting of this film is far into the
future from our present time.
Also how far technology has
come since then and what it now
allows us to be capable of in
terms of serving the plot of the
film.
Characters• The Na’vi – a blue skinned, sapien humanoid which inhabits
Pandora and lives in harmony with nature by worshipping a
mother goddess known as Eywa
• Human military – Humanities last hope of collecting
resources these soldiers are specially trained in order to
inhabit the body of an avatar and befriend the Na’vi,
eventually asking them to leave their home tree to gather
the resources which manifest beneath it. This characters are
mostly seen as the antagonists as they seek to destroy in
order to support themselves.
Themes
• There is no questioning that Avatar is a very powerful film both visually and mentally as it
displays hidden meanings and theme through it stunning story telling. One which stands out
the most from the rest is to respect all life. Through the entire film it is clear to see the cultural
difference between the humans and the Na’vi. One race wanting to destroy in order to survive
where as the other wanting to make peace with nature and will accept their fate if it comes to
them, knowing that everything happens for a reason. The fact that the humans destroyed the
home tree which the Na’vi lived in and the Na’vi didn’t even fight back further strengthens this
theory.
• Another theme which branches off from this is Greed being the source of destruction as the
humans crave to live longer and continue supporting themselves, forcing them to take the
resources and even life off of other planets as well as animals to fulfill this need.
• The reasons for these themes to be displayed so frequently and coherently through the film
could be to let humanity know if we would ever be forced to this point and meet life on another
planet the outcome must not finish like this otherwise it will be the destruction of both races.