Avatar (2009)

I decided to re-visit this movie because it is as deep as it is animated and visually phenomenal. This is really the type of film that was made for 3D and VR.
What is so spectacular about this film also lies deep in its story. The usual story we have heard about in history is that an outsider comes in to a land of plenty of resources, greedy to snatch all of it for its already depleted ones. The outsiders use divide and conquer among the indigenous people and manipulate their communities to turn against each other and fall prey to the weapons and control of the outsiders. Soon the resources and community that once kept the natives at peace and gave life to their beliefs are all shattered, and they are enslaved or forced to evacuate. Sounds familiar? Think of the colonies from Europe and the native americans. Better yet the Europeans and African nations.
It is all sad. But Avatar gives it a twist.
What if the outsider infiltrates a land out of Earth, with species called the Navi who are so spiritually and physically evolved, that they are inspiring?
That is what unfolds in Avatar. With Sam Worthington playing an ex-marine Jack Tully, who takes over his dead scientist brother's role as impersonating a Navi avatar to infiltrate the Navis and convince them to negotiate a trade deal. The trade deal is to leave their home (which is apparently a hotbed for some expensive metal) for their lives. The people behind this scummy operation are human beings: corporate (big company) and even the military is psyched to be involved. The lab behind this entire avatar operation are on the side of the Navi however, and want to help them escape, and understand them.
This is a beautiful rendition of a Pocahantas like tale, with Natiri, a local Navi showing Jack the ways of her people, and opening up her world to him.
Their tree of life, and connectivity is one of the most inspiring creations in cinematography. Its roots flowing through everything. Jack also speaking about the way Natiri talks, how she says that energy is borrowed, and after using it, you must give it back -- is beyond our own small minded day to day thinking.
It is clear that the war on the Navis is definitely a metaphor for our war on the environment. Our polluting of the environment, our refusal to recycle, our mistreatment of animals and nature and worst of all, our greed.
This is a beautiful movie. I would highly recommend it to everyone.