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January 26th, 2010
10:00 AM ET
Critics: 'Avatar' is anti-military & anti-religion
20th Century Fox says James Cameron's 3D epic "Avatar" has officially sunk "Titanic, taking the crown for the biggest movie ever.
It has topped more than $1.84 billion so far, but some critics aren't too happy about that success. Our Jason Carroll has the report.
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I looked at Avatar as a piece of artwork more than anything. One can debate anit religion and anti military, but debating these takes away from the movie's ability to imitate life. Whether it's art imitatiing life, or life iminitating art, at no point in Avatar did I feel like they had reinvented the wheel based on plot as say The Matrix did when it first came out. Avatar just relayed a new plot formatted over themes that have been successful throughout history. The plot and sub themes of the movie were not original. Don't get me wrong i enjoyed the movie tremendously, but we have been to other worlds in previous movies. We have seen our military take from other countries. We have seen miraculous feets of nature and we have seen nations and people come together to stop oppression and divert disaster like we saw in Avater. However the technology in Avatar left me feeling like I had experienced a cinematic masterpiece, one i had not experienced before. In reaction to the Pope, I am a Catholic and to say Avatar is anti-religous and the movie portrays it's characters as putting nature above God is ridiculous.
1. (noun) religion
the outward act or form by which men indicate their recognition of the existence of a god or of gods having power over their destiny, to whom obedience, service, and honor are due; the feeling or expression of human love, fear, or awe of some superhuman and overruling power, whether by profession of belief, by observance of rites and ceremonies, or by the conduct of life; a system of faith and worship; a manifestation of piety; as, ethical religions; monotheistic religions; natural religion; revealed religion; the religion of the Jews; the religion of idol worshipers
Really people? Really? It's just a movie, and it exists for one principle purpose: to make money. Anyone who goes to this movie analyzing it any deeper is wasting their time. It's a darn good movie, but I'm not going to formulate my opinions from the hypothetical situation that this movie presents.
They did go and make their own movie, it was called, The Passion (of Christ). And, the leftwing bashed it. Not surprising though because only the left can speak and create freely while the right, anytime they do, are narrow-minded fools.
If your core political and religious beliefs aren't strong enough to withstand a Hollywood fantasy movie it says much more about you than it does about the movie.
Reminded me of Custer's Last Stand, also with ressurection at the end could this be a Christian theme. The people living on a moon around a far away planet would probably have a different spirituality. Where were the Christians in Star Wars, Star Trek etc. Anyway any movie that points out the evils of corporate paternalism is good.
Peopl are so Ignorant...Its Just a movie, a beautiful movie at that. Get over yourselves and just enjoy it. Its a great movie.
Yes this movie is certainly anti-military and anti-religion. And it is also the highest grossing movie in history. Maybe there is something to the concepts of peace and secularism?
I, for one, loved this movie's anti-military and anti-religious message. And I ain't the only one.
No gods, no governments.
I truly worry about a country so divided between those promoting values and thought - and those so frightened and threatened by the notion of ethics and fairness that they scream 'heresy.'
The conservative true believers scare the hell out of me. They scare the hell out of the entire rest of the world.
"Avatar" is a story about an ex-marine who is thrust in the middle of a conflict between stone-age natives living on a big tree above a precious mineral deposit and a group of mercenaries representing the interests of a mining corporation. The corporation wants the natives evicted (thought it does not hold any rights to the real-estate) and their habitat destroyed in order to start mining operations.
In the course of carrying out the corporate policy and spying on the natives, the hero becomes enamored with their culture and traditions and romantically involved with one of their royalty. Feeling his mission ethically compromised, he breaks his contract with his employer and sides with the natives.
Utilizing his marine training and skills of independent thinking, strategy and initiative in the best of U.S. military tradition, the hero leads the tree-dwelling natives armed only with bows, arrows and their flying animal companions to victory over a group of heavily armed and well-supplied military experts.
After vanquishing the army of outsiders, the hero converts to their monotheistic religion, which worships an omniscient, omnipotent biological entity, connected to every living thing on the planet. (Which has also, effectively, set him up or allowed him to become the messiah from the heavens, who showed the natives the way to salvation).
Anti-religous? Anti-military? I don't think so.
The only villain here is the corporation (which likely was not carrying out official government policy), its only motivation being profit.
To sum up:
religion: still good.
military: still good.
Enron: bad
Who are these people who come up with such outrageous statements, trying to tarnish the reputation of this perfectly inoffensive sci-fi blockbuster?
I'll tell you who – cultural and political pundits who are experts on nothing, but who produce volumes of mindless sound-bites that are notable because of their outrageousness, yet require the absence of logic or reasoning to understand. Their only purpose is to get those who utter them on a prime-time news show.
Conservatives see themselves as the kind of people that would use military force to steal resources from other people? You are a left wing nut, conservatives and Military personnel do not believe in that.
Obviously you have never served, and have no understanding about the service or the people who serve. Definitely and anti military movie.
I found myself hating the military in the movie, J. Cameron is doing an injustice to our Military in this movie. He could have used Non camouflage private contractors, but decided to depict the military as evil to create hatred for our Military.
Retired Army
This movie could have been so much more. I think the producers had so much at stake they went very conservative with tired old movie plots. No shades of grey. This was a movie made for kiddies and sell video games. If I want to watch a kiddie movie, I pull out revenge of the Jedi and watch Ewoks throw stones at a crack legion of storm troopers. This movie was not anti religion, or anti corporation. It was just antinteligence!
Now what if this was some other genetic engineered environment like Aliens? What if some of the MERC's had families at home and the protaginist is friends with some of the guys on the other side. Sorry just doing this so Aunt Erma can pay for her cancer surgery. What if the Navi had their own demons? Someone taught them how to fight. What if billions of humans lives were at stakes? What if the unobtanium was required for the networked Navi environment to work?
Nah, that is too disturbing. Easier to make a movie so you can make a video game where you can play the Navi going around killing Merc's and once bored, play a MERC in a mech suite. Then get online player verses player.
This movie was nothing more, nothing less.
Titanic sucked – I didn't see it at the theater and was refunded $24 for the $22 I spent on VHS tapes. When it was (finally) over I just wanted my 3 hours of life back. This makes me not want to see Avatar.
Who cares what one group thinks about a movie, anyway? There will always be dissenters. I find it ironic that the Avatar defenders here are slamming the Conservatives because Avatar is a voice of dissent.
Waaah!
No one is forcing the right-wingers to buy tickets to see a movie they disapprove of.
If they don't like Avatar, let them make their own movie.
Jeez – a person would think that religion itself would be anti-military – only the right-wingnuts could come up with such a complaint – they will be the death of this country.
Good-
Maybe the Christians will see the success of the movie, and realize they don't rule the world. Up to 30% of americans are either Agnostic or Atheists. It's time we receive recognition, and less demoralizing persecution.
I fail to see how this is really anti-military. To say that the military is portrayed as being "evil" in this movie is to say that the military in the real world is "evil". Our military is just doing they're told–whether you feel it's evil or not is a matter of politics.
Of course, the way they handle themselves as they do their jobs is up for judgement...Abu Ghraib comes to mind. However, in the movie, they're told to do some things that some people might otherwise consider "evil". It's their job to do it, period.
We're never told what this "unobtanium" does for humanity, so therefore we don't know the marine's true motives. What if it's the only known substance to cure AIDS6.0 in the future? What if it's the only substance that can quell earthquakes under Future Haiti or Africa? Is their fervor so easily judged then?
The "military" in the movie weren't miliitary – they were defense contractors much like Blakwater, Halliburton, Extreme X. But, of course, conservatives love for others to do their dirty work – so any offense taken is a tingling of what's left of a conscience.
I'm still mad at the Bible for being PRO religion.
This is anti-big business movie. The real god of the USA is Corporate America which owns relegious establishments, congress, and the military. Hence this is indeed an anti-god movie.
Its a movie. Entertainment. Grow up and get over it.
It's not just entertainment. Movies change our culture. Hell, even 30 second commercials affect society. Wake up!
I'm confused. We live in a secular nation – if you don't believe it, it's time to pull you head out of your a** and actually read the documents upon which our nation was founded (i.e., the Consitution, Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence). As to Avatar being anti-military – shouldn't every decent human being be anti-military? Or is it a "Christian" "Right-wing" value to kill and maim people with whom you happen to disagree about politics? The hypocrisy of these ba****ds is beyond astounding!!
It is JUST a movie people! if it was real then you can fuss all you want.
what about gi-joe people get a life and please comback to the reality that is called EARTH!!!!
I am a retired military officer of 27 years service. I liked Avatar and did not think it was anti-military. Just because the bad guys used high tech weaponry, does not mean they were a surrogate for the U.S. armed forces. They screenwriters went to great pains to show that the human forces that were fighting the Na'vi were "hired guns" and not the armed forces of any government. An example of a real anti-military movie was "GI Jane", which depected members of the armed forces doing things that would be considered unprofessional, and in some cases criminal.
Anti-religion? Hardly.
I think it's a pretty good way of conveying Matthew 16:26:
"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"
Solo75
Ye forgets that politicians direct the military machine into action and are the ones accountable in the end, unless the country in question is governed by the military machine.
Last time I checked, James Cameron was a white man, so I don't think you can say broadly or fairly that white men are not tolerant (of nature or whatever you’re u-set about today.)
The reality of Avatar is that Cameron wants us to decide between "happy green nature people" and "evil gunmetal grey corporate people" but in presenting the choice, he owes it to the audience to show more of the facts. Why is no one upset about the Na'vi's forced marriage rules (and in real societies like this, there is significant penalties, even death, for violating these hard-line rules.
And what about the forced coming of age death ritual of a deadly journey and bonding with a banshee or die?! This admiration of the physical over mental is dangerous in the real world. What about the poor "computer kid" geek brainiac Na'vi kid? Oh yea, he's lying dead at the bottom of the ravine for "failing!" Who needs Einstein anyway, right?
Come on! Without the Einstein's and corporate tech of our civilization, which Cameron is so critical of in Avatar, his movie couldn't ever have been made! Oh yea, and last time I checked, the military helps us all sleep better at night and protects us from those who want to kill us.
If you are going to give a comparison, at least present a fair and honest reality to the choices and consequences of nature versus advanced civilization. Primitive tribal societies do NOT promote free thinkers or change, so we'd all be out of luck, the internet would be taboo, and we wouldn't even be having this conversation.
Is it just me or does this film resemble a situation from our country's past. Seems to me the Indians (native americans to you politically correct persons) fought the Army and lost the right to live where they wanted in their own land. Avatar is a retelling of an old story with a different ending. The Indians were a spiritual people who believe(d) that the earth was/is sacred and to be protected just like the areas from the film. In this case the military, who were brought in to protect the coporation's assets from harm were not enough in number to protect the villans (this case-the (greedy?) corporation. The low tech natives whipped the high tech but (morally inferior?) soldiers. Sounds like a replaying of Desert Storm also. Protect the oil! Remember?
The film is truly a visually stunning, amazing technical achievement especially in IMAX 3D. I would hope that these criticisms would not deter people from a great time at the movies.
The storyline can also be viewed through a conservative mindset. It certainly is a triumph of modern capitalism in how much money it has raked in. It was made by Rambo writer (James Cameron) and Fox(not exactly a hotbed of liberalism here). Universal themes that appeal to conservatives are plainly apparent: a bunch of outsiders come in(illegal immigrants), trying to steal the private property and mineral wealth of the locals (decent religious folks) without any free market exchange of any beneficial goods or services in return(aka Communism) and when the locals get pushed too far, family killed and their home tree toppled (think Twin Towers), they exercise their love of life and liberty as well as their personal sidearms (2nd amendment) to send these illegals (now turned terrorist) packing! As for an environmental message, there was a time when conservatives (e.g. Teddy Roosevelt) embraced that view, I would hope in the idea marketplace this film might reawaken that ideal.
Richard in Georgia, this may come as a surprise to you but christianity isn't the only religion. To say something is "anti-religion" because they show an alternate religion is crazy. Even saying it's "anti-YOUR-religion" is a stretch and it certainly isn't persecution. Look the word up for crying out loud! Christians aren't the ones persecuted in this country, they're the ones doing the persecuting! The idea that jesus is the one true god also offends many, many people so why should christians be the only group that can't be offended. We'd be better off if elitist christians would stop demanding special treatment and realize they have the same rights as non-christians.
People oppose things that make them feel guilty or bad about themselves. If this movie makes you feel bad or guilty enough to oppose it–ask yourself why does it offend you?
Doesn't this country promote freedom of religion, where people of all religions and spiritual followings and atheists live together? Is it wrong to not like war? Why does it have to be made into a problem?
So...warmongering religious people don't like it? I'm confused. Its a movie. Toy Story promotes the idea that toys can come to life while we're not looking. That's terrifying!!!!!
IT'S A MOVIE. GET OVER IT.
Find BETTER things to worry about and go FIX those things...like hunger, poverty, pollution, unemployment, INTOLERANCE.....you know....*real issues*
I looked at it as a reminder that the military are human beings.
Yeah, they have a job to do, but remember when they come back
to attend to their need( medical/ counseling). We
are reminded in this movie that big business are the winners,at times,and
a soldier's sacrifice shouldn't be forgotten.
Anti-religion? I don't think so. In fact, Avatar featured a very important Christian theme....the need to be "born-twice" As far as anti-military goes, there had to be an antigonist somewhere. There wouldn't have been much of a movie without that contrast to the natives of Pandora. Otherwise, the corporation would have simply chosen to tunnel underneath the big tree to get that precious "unobtainium". Of course, you couldn't have the antigonists be Muslims, because James Cameron wouldn't have wanted a fatwa declared on him.
So get over it. Enjoy the movie. You have action, a love story and some awesome special effects.
This is just a movie , are you kidding me. Its crazy how people read into make believe science fiction. Wow people really get an education before you start comparing fiction movies with real life.
Is it anti-military? NO but it does show how any government, with a military force, can either take advantage or obliterate a people in the name of big business or a selfish need.
Is it anti-religion? No, infact it paralells most non-christian Earth based, Eastern and Native American religions that revere nature, not worship it and sees diety as something other than a patriarchial male god.
Like many of you have said...IT'S JUST A MOVIE. If it strikes a chord and makes you think with a free and open mind...Is that a bad thing. I think not but there are many that would prefer blind obedience without question.
I haven't seen the movie, but..
First of all, the Merc in the movie are not even of the Black Water Class, at least Black Water works mostly for governments, these Merc work for a Corporation and their existence is inherently evil no matter what they do.
If you are not Anti-Merc then you are sadly ignorant of history, because the over use of Mercenaries has been responsible for the decline and fall of most of the major civilizations, and if you add in the practice of letting Generals control their armies separate from the civil authority as Mercenaries lite, then it pretty much covers all of them.
1. Rome – The Republic Ceasar and Company took the armies that they have made their own, and over threw the Republic.
2. Rome the Empire – Roman trained Merc over threw the country repeatedly, and finally lead the armies which destoried it.
3. Islam Caliphad(sp)- Near Universal Islamic Empire – The Turkish Merc they employed over and create the Ottamon(sp) empire in the end, but before that they divided the Empire.
4.British Empire – British East Indies Merc were always creating problems, and finally forced the British to take over more terrority than they could handle.
There are many, many more examples which include almost every single long lasting civilization.
To me it demonstrated the greed inherent in Captiolism, "evil coporation attempts to destroy indiginous population in the name of shareholder value". It's perfect given the current times. I did not see this as anti-war as the fighters were contracted via the corporation, all which points to the corporation as the prime antagonist, contracted army just follows orders (of course with racial discrimination against said indiginous population)
Only the religious right would see it as anit-religious and overlook the spiritual side, yes another planet population might not worship God....what a surprise
It figures that conservatives miss the point. It is obvious that they do not know what is going on 2 feet in front of them. Why would we ever want conservatives running our country again if they cannot even pay attention to a 3 hour movie?
Not saying liberals are any better either.
Egads....nest of vipers!!!
Avatar was a very enjoyable movie, despite the "white men bad, indigenous people good" theme, which got kind of old. I did not see it as anti-military, as the soldiers were not allied with a country. I saw it as very much pro-faith and even monothestic. The N'avi worship one central spirit and glory in its manifestations and creations. They have specific rituals too. The only difference I saw is that the big 3 (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) favor man's dominion over the earth instead of respect and coexistance.
Plus, after all....Avatar is a work of fiction.
Pitiful, people. I echo the call to actually think. A) Religion isn't the problem, it's man's sinful abuse of it that is. B) Conservatives don't see themselves as war hungry opportunists, but they are acutely aware that the opposite side of the aisle would like to portray them as such, and regularly do, for political gain. So I'm sure you can imagine their sensitivity. By the way, I would be greatly encouraged to see a little of that tolerance the non-religious folk are always claiming the religious to be without. Just sayin'.
You guys are confusing Neo-Cons with real Conservatives. A REAL Conservative is against our current empire USA. A REAL conservative would want to cut all sectors of government spending (including military).
War mongering Neo-Cons are all but finished and their mirror image Democratic buddies are showing their true colors. Real conservatives are making a comeback.
Who cares what right-wing, Neanderthals think.?? It was a great movie. If they don't like it, fine, this is America, no one is forcing them to watch it.
Folks need to lighten up. All movies have a lttile bit of a message in them left or right. Comment to the anti-relgious left, if history serves me well non-religious folks like the communists and facists have killed more people through demicide and war in its short-lived 70-80 year existance than Christianity ever did in its entire 2000 year history.
Get real folks. This is a fantasy movie that is not about being pro or con anything. It is for entertainment purposes only and is not mean't to be educational or to have religious or political influence. If this country loses the freedom that we enjoy to have artistic license then we are doomed to being robotic automatrons that have to constantly be worried about total adherence to political correctness which is not part of a free society.
Conservatives need to complain and moan it is part of their nature. Regarding the movie, well I hate to do this but to use an VERY old quote: c'mon sing with me now, "That's entertainment" and nothing more conservative morons.
Notice how whenever conservatives get involved on a topic there is an "issue"
Interesting... help me figure this out, what is the constant in that formula.
I'm amused that right-wingers rail against Hollywood, then get right back in line to buy more movie tickets. They truly are sheeplike creatures. If you don't believe me, just ask Rush Limbaugh...
It amazes me that the move SO overplayed the mercenaries - they were the ultimate in "military gone bad". And yet the Corporates - I mean Conservatives - took it seriously!!! MERCENARIES NOT MARINES!!!! Is this because they used they called Sully "marine" and wore camo?
Sully is a shining example of Marine honor. And the security guy - all that is awful about Blackwater. Why are we focusing on the bad part not celebrating the heroism of a marine who did what he was supposed to do - and used his military skill to preserve and protect at the end of the movie?
Jesuit priests would stand on board ships in the New world and – miles off-shore – ask the Indians if they chose to be saved. When the didn't respond (who could hear?) they authorized the military to take the land from the savages. Who is anti-religion?
Let God work in his own way - even in movies.
I am a political conservative and a Christian. Religious freedom, the right to free speech, right to bear arms, and – sorry, but....a military to fight for these freedoms are the whole reason we get to call ourselves Americans.
So, what do I think?
It's one of the coolest sci-fi movies ever!
"fi" stands for fiction, folks. Enjoy the break and go back to work.
Look up the word PUTZ in the dictionary. Pictures of those offended by this movie are there. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/putz
The movie is an 80's outlook of the future. The disabled guy is still pushing his own wheelchair. People are still using helicopters. The machine guns have slow revs per sec. The robots are from the 80's "ALIEN" movie. Why did they not use ballistic missiles instead? The spaceships are jet powered not alien technology stuff. The storyline was stolen from American history with added fantasy.
If not for the special effects and 3D this movie sucks big time.
It's not anti-military, it's anti Blackwater; it's not anti-religion, it's pro nature. The christian heirarchy sees this as an attack, since christianity started as a response to paganism, which was nothing more than a worship of nature.
We wouldn't need a military if we didn't have religion. Religious zealots continue to manipulate those with weak minds, discourage freedom of thought, conscience, and these men and women who claim to be "men of god" commit the majority of the world's atrocities against humanity. Let's stop with the PC garbage and start being honest with ourselves. It's all about power.
I fear organized religion will be the destruction of our civilization. How many have fallen already due to religion? Look at the Middle East and read your history books.
"When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace". Jimmy Hendrix.
Please fix the title of the link to this article. Anti-military anti-faith. There is a big difference between Faith and Religion. It is very easy to have one without the other.
What if, for the sake of argument, the movie is totally anti-military and anti-religion?? So what. In this country we have this little idea called "free speech" & Cameron or any director can make a movie about whatever they want. There are plenty of military & religious movies out there & other directors can make more if they so choose. Don't like it, don't watch it.
And if you're a parent & are worried about "left wing" indoctrination, or any other POV for that matter, then it is YOUR job to review & research the media your children are exposed to. If they see something you disagree with, explain your reasons to them.
As a conservative, right-wing Christian, who happens to have seen Avatar TWICE, I honestly can't take offense at this.
First off, has anyone read their History books? Remember Pocahantas? Your middle-school history book contains a section eerily identical to the plot of Avatar.
The environmental stuff, yeah, it's kind of "earth-worship" but let's not forget, this is SCI-FI and this is NOT terra-firma. Let's also not forget, it's nothing that "native Americans" (you know, the folks that were here in the US before the US military kicked them out?) haven't been doing for thousands of years. And they're not anti-religious; they're just not YOUR religion.
Secondly, geez, lighten up folks. This is a FANTASY movie. It's FICTION. Enjoy it for the cool graphics and interesting story, but stop whining about how you're "offended" by the theme. No one is pointing a gun at your head and forcing anyone to see this movie.
-Dan
I want to see that happen in Iraq and Afganistan. Marines killing each other. Well it happened a few times but not enough.
It is refreshing to read that ,in most of the blogger comments, people get on these far fringe lunatics, these religious zealots that simply do not accept any other point of view, any deviation from their beloved one and only Scripture. There is no light in these people's mind, no interest in knowledge, in spirit, in dreaming, in innovation, nada, all they care is how to hate the gays, ban abortion, put religion, strike that, Evangelical strain only...left right and center, shut out and despise the rest of the world for being "stupid" and "hating America" and daring to occasionally criticize and disagree with us, promote bigotry, hidden racism and overall mean spirited and hateful of everything that they do not understand, nor want to understand, this is right wing America nowadays, the people of Rush, Beck, Joe the plummer, Sarah Palin and other no nothings be proud of your ignorance zealots, that is it folks, in a nutshell. Keep this dangerous loons at bay before it is too late for all of us, liberals, indies, normal reasonable people. Amin !
Listen to them carefully looking desperately for reasons to whine and complain, the "Hollywood culture" the gays and lesbians who are "threatening" the family values, the liberal machine that wants to deny them their religion and take away their beloved guns, on and on and on....Avatar is anti-military and anti-religion only in their disturbed little minds, no one with an ounce of brain could possibly suggest that, it is first of all a MOVIE so right off the bat no one can take it too seriously one way or the other and secondly, there is only promotion, albeit alegorical of spirituality, kindness, nature and such and showing white the human race is really capable of at its worst which is not even fantasy, we all know how many wars there have been, how many millions have been slaughtered in the name of everything from religion to power grabs and nationalism. Folks these people are truly sick, sick puppies, maybe they have not been loved by their parents, maybe they were abused, who the heck knows but sure as heck the results are disturbing...there is merit in huma culling...hahahaha...
I dont think this movie was meant to be anti anything
why cant we just have good movies without them causing this big fuss
its rather annoying
This is the silliest argument. First of all, the marines aren't marines. They are mercenaries. Former marines who decided to join a merciless corporation willing to commit genocide. Would we condone this behavior if say our former soldiers joined Blackwater and then went to a foreign country and committed genocide? I think not. Secondly, the message of the movie is to respect the earth and the resources it provides us. That maybe, just maybe, raping and denuding the planet isn't the most sane approach to providing food and energy for ourselves. Rather we should instead aspire to find ways to provide those things that don't spoil the planet we rely on. And so what if there is an alternate faith displayed here. How is Christianity any more valid than the faith practiced by the native Americans.
Avatar IMO was "Dances with Wolves in Outerspace". Did that movie receive the same type of backlash? I think too many people, with too much time on their hands are reading too much into this...
Anti-military? Anti religion? What? Some people just do NOT have enough to do in their lives. Get a hobby, for Christ's sake; knitting, needlepoint, reading! Anything! Just enough to keep you busy so you don't get offended because someone wrote a story and it doesn't have any positive references to Jesus or the US Army! What I wanna know is, where is the blue food in this movie? They have blue people, alot of blue flowers, but I don't remember the blue food! This movie would have been a perfect opportunity to highlight blue food! George Carlin would of loved it!
How utterly childish, juvenial and insecure to think this movie is trying to bash our military and religions.
I am an ex-Marine (Vietnam-era), a solid Catholic – and I thought this movie was just the absolute GREATEST !!! Different from the Star Wars story, but better I think. I just love Sci-Fi
How utterly childish, juvenial and insecure of CNN to sponsor a newscast with interviews on this. Hey – I'll bet CNN got the idea for this newcast from Dick Cheney ? LOL
With the utterly flat stereotyped characters, a native population needing Americans to organise themselves enough to defend their own world, needing an american to be their messiah even, and the anti intellectual strain running through it, the 'science is evil' message, I don't think any one group would really feel this movie represented their political world view.
This was mostly aimed at 12 year old boys and girls who dream of riding dragons, becoming a hero and blowing up the bad guys. I really only enjoyed the imaginative landscapes. Honestly the floating mountains were wonderful.
The fact that environmentalism and paganism so often go hand in hand in books and movies these days does make me worry that our Churches and we as individual Christians sometimes don't speak out clearly enough on the duty to protect Gods creation.
I think you all ought to be drinking wine and eating cheese, and catching some rays, you know.
Indeed, so what it if is anti-religious? Religion is an absurd, primitive phenomenon that people invented to help them deal with anxiety and uncertainty. Frankly the "spiritual" part of Avatar was unnecessary and far too religious; you don't say words into the sky and have things happen. When will people grow up and face the fact that we're here (or on some other planet) because that is how evolution works. Our time is limited and when it is over, it is over. I know it makes us sleep better to think otherwise, and it may even make us nice to others if we think that there are consequences to bad behavior,l but it simply isn't so. Be nice to others BECAUSE this is all there is, and we really are only here for a short time. Isn't that enough?
Avatar reminds me of us humans, we striping Earth of its resources all in the name of making profit and for our comforts. Just think avatar people as bugs and animals of this planet and we humans are the ones driving out the natives from there homes.
Waaaayyy back when humans use to warship mother nature and the sun, until this fictional character came along named Jesus.
I'm offended by the guy telling me I have to be insulted if I am a conservative. I can think for myself thanks and the movie doesn't offend me even though I consider myself very conservative.
I don't quite understand what critics are so worked up about. We should be offended by a *movie*? Furthermore they seemed surprised that a Hollywood movie has a liberal bias? This isn't anything new.
I don't understand why people can't just sit back and enjoy a good movie...it tells a good story in a good fashion...why isn't that enough? Why must people force feed and shove politics down the throat of everything in existence?
Oh well...hopefully the record shattering box office gross will shut these people up. Personally I think these people are just trying to use righteous indignation as a cover for lingering guilt for centuries of Western imperialism and genocide of native populations...
Jesus would like this movie.
Have we come this far REALLY? Do we not know the difference between a MOVIE and Reality? Get real – get a life. Seriously? It is great entertainment – look at the technology that went into making this movie – look where we have come from and where we are headed in technology. If you don't like the TV Program – shut off the TV, if you don't like the movie, leave the theatre. But please let the rest of us enjoy what we want to enjoy without reading tons of stuff into it.
This is further evidence that a huge section of our population operates with a closed mind and lacks any semblance of skill in the area of critical thinking. Yes, this is my politically correct way of saying they the people making these claims are ignorant fools and a waste of otherwise useful carbon.
this is a fictional movie about a fictional planet.
omg people are so STUPID.
just because something is not CHRISTIAN does not mean it is 'anti' faith or 'anti' religion.
Newsflash - there are OTHER spiritual and religious faiths out there besides yours.
you born-again christians need to learn something about other religions aside from your own.... the Navi seem to have been modeled on Native American and Aboriginal religions, which were highly spiritual and faith-based. just not JESUS-based.
ya'll need to stop the arrogant thinking that 'your' faith is the ONLY way
these god-squad types make my blood boil, what a frikin joke..... does nobody remember the Crusades?
hey for all the bible thumpers out there if this portrayed any religion it would be boring and for people that are complaining that it portrays the military as bad boo hoo get over it. this movie is great.
This movie is about GOOD vs. EVIL......people think for yourselves! May there be peace......!
This movie was about corporate greed. The military was a para military in the hands of a fool. Much like it was during the Bush administration.
Personally if conservatives see themselves as the bad guy then the shoe fits.
As far as being anti religious, what's wrong with a spiritual belief that the cycle of life is real?
Geez what do you want people to believe that we were made from dirt?
I think I'd rather believe I evolved.
This is completely stupid. The "good guys" in this movie are a highly religious culture with a warrior caste. How can such a movie be anti-military or anti-religion? What these people mean is that it's anti-white-man and pro-pagan.
Fred i can only agreed more with you, people just gotta understand that iTS only a movie, lrn to watch it and enjoy
Why are people making such a BIG deal about AVATAR get over it people it's only a movie no need to be having a fit about it, Avavtar is a great movie and it don't need these crazy ideas you guys have about the wat the movie is trying to tell us
Why is it every time someone has a different view on religious/spiritual beliefs or how the world was created, the Christian world is up in arms? What makes your religion the right one or better than the Jewish or Muslim one for example. Or how about this, what if Atheists are the ones who are right. My gripe is this is a movie. It takes place in a fantasy world with an alien race. If you don't like the message, don't watch. It is Cameron's movie and his right to tell a story how he wants to tell it.
On a side note, people cannot be blinded by patriotism to the point where they will not point out or refuse to condone actions that are unjust, wrong or inhumane. The way the military treated this race in the movie was wrong in every way and those marines who stood up against this injustice were imprisoned so yes, if they needed to fight back with violence to stop the slaughter of another race then so be it. Look at WW2 and all the Germans who fought for the Allied forces because they knew Hitler was wrong. were they blinded by patriotism? Did they not shoot their own kind? If you don't know the answer is yes I suggest reading up on it. It is a movie with a great story and absolutely beautiful special effects and imagery. Give it up christian fanatics and blinded patriots.
*sigh*
It's "Dances With Wolves" in Space...
Oh, and Bill Clough: You said it best! Thank you!
Only to the rightwing nutjobs does this look "anti-religious." Just because someone doesn't follow their particular brand of exclusive faith doesn't make them anti-faith, anti-religion or anti-God. As for the military actions....does anybody really have reason to doubt that humans would behave this way if we found something valuable on another planet? Our history says otherwise.
so what's wrong with being anti-faith?
Okay, since when has Science Fiction and Reality been thrust together? This is a MOVIE!!! Not real, fake, science fiction!!! Why does every movie, book, or news report have to be linked with politics and religion? Anti-military? Anti-God? If you were truly religious you would understand that there were many different religions discussed in the bible. The point of being a Christian, Jew, Muslim, or any other religion has to do with who you put your faith in. This movie doesn't try to convert you to their make believe religion. As far as the military or politics are concerned, corruption is everywhere. We need more people who are willing to stand up for what is right, not what is profitable...
makes me want to see it all the more.
so tired of the historical definition of "God:" It's archaic and obsolete.
As far as war, well, what is wrong with being against it?
love, love, love the fact that more people are of the same mindset.
Oh, patriotism is also overrated and generally used to manipulate teh masses into doing the bidding of the "powerful and greedy," all for the sake of peace and security, no doubt.
always question authority, especially government and religion.
Nunti Sunya-to the era and transparency and expansion.
But.
What would Rush Limbaugh say?
It was a dumb movie anyway. Who cares?? 3 hour cartoon!!!
I agree with everyone that is saying it is only a movie. I consider myself conservative and very strong in my Christian beliefs and I've also seen the movie 3 times. No, not because I think it's real (like someone posted earlier) but because its just a really entertaining movie experience. I think both claims of anti-military and anti-religion are bogus. You could actually draw some parallels between the spritiuality in the film and other faiths (Yes, I'm thinking Chrstianity b/c that is the one I'm most familiar with)...but it's a VERY big stretch, so I won't make those parallels. There isn't some underlying message that is going to raise the masses in an all out revolt, it's a MOVIE. Some people need to get their panties out of the twist they are in.
I get tired of these right-wing Mccarthyist whiners who act like they're being persecuted any time someone with a different opinion opens their mouths. Grow up or move to Russia!
Just for the record, everyone is so concerned that conservatives are reading too much into a movie and making blanket statements about liberal propoganda and brainwashing, but almost everyone in this comments section is reading too much into a news story and making blanket statements about how terrible and stupid conservatives are. Just because some random controversy pops up on the news doesn't mean every conservative in the country buys into it.
Well, to set the record straight, it was the left (Hitler's National Socialism, Stalin's Communism and Mao's Communism) which accounted for more slaughter than all the centuries since the birth of Christ to today combined. The left is hardly innocent, it just so happens the conservatives made asses of themselves in criticizing this movie.
I think it was not really anti-anything. It shows what happens when a weak civilian leader cannot control someone who is out of control (the military commander). It shows what prejudice can do, on both sides if you look at it. It's not anti-American so much as anti-extreme corporatization. There were basically no government controls on this corporation. Don't forget that the Navi knew what warriors were, and prided themselves on being warriors, so they obviously fought amongst themselves as well (hardly perfect). Please don't forget that the American Indian, both North and South American, was no stranger to visiting wonton slaughter on their neighbors.
But the story was also a lesson in simplicity, the value of other cultures and the wonder of learning new things and ways. There is also nothing wrong with teaching conservation and care of the land and environment. It's only when this, in itself, is taken to extremes, that it becomes a problem.
Lastly, it was a love story where, in the end, it didn't matter what they were, but rather who they were.
It's high time to reign in the American Christian taliban conservatives who are for wars, guns, environmental ravaging, denying healthcare for the poor, all in the name of "Faith".
Maybe James Cameron can fix this country's economic problems.
I can't even believe that in this day and age that someone can be so threatened by anti-religion. Seriously? Religion is far from perfect and anti-theists do actually have morals. Welcome to reality, now, move on. It's a MOVIE people! This is worse than the time my sister-in-law sent me a mass email on The Golden Compass (because....GASP!....it was written by an....ATHEIST! OH, THE HUMANITY!!!!).
And, by the way, Avatar wasn't overtly anti-religion or anti-military. It was, however, predictable, unoriginal, cliche, and yet still entertaining with great special effects.
My god people it is just a movie
The neo-CONS want to force religion on everyone at every stage in American life.. Why must they continue with their diatribes? Why must THEY force their twisted and warped views of christianity on the world? Why must the neo-CONS start wars with countries that have NOT attacked America. Only 1 country has every outright attacked America, that was Japan Dec 7,1941.. There was and is NO link between Iraq & 9-11.. The only link is Bush/Cheney and 9-11.. Bush needed a reason to start the Iraq war..
I have not seen this film, will not see it, as I don't like Cameron's work! Keep your religion & faith to yourself. Keep Tim Tebow OFF CBS from making his anti-abortion speech.. That is a personal CHOICE ALL women have.. I don't want to hear about Tebones mom being told to give up the kid and how she refused and he became a over-hyped ok QB at the U. of Flor-I-DUM!
America needs to STOP forcing its warped view of religion on the world. Get OUT of bed with the Israelis NOW!! If you want peace in the world, thats the 1st step!
If you have to watch a science fiction movie full of blue things to get an opposing view to your own, you watch too much Fox.
If you think the medium of sci-fi will indoctrinate our children then we should be talking about our education system, not hidden messages in Hollywood blockbusters.
Since when is it that conservatives are the bad ones? So much of hollywood is liberal that conservatives can't use a blind eye to watch movies anymore. Everything is tainted by hollywood's gross abuse of the silver screen. Even the great comedians will 'donate' minutes to their personal view points. If I agree with them, I still want to hear it. Talk about that stuff on Larry King.
For anyone to not think this movie is anti-Amercian you must be totally ignorant. Sorry but my wife even saw it, and she's farther off the left than Pilosi.
As an indepedant [more like an isolationist] I found the movie spending too much time showing just how mean, nasty, and un-compassionate humans can be. I really think that Cameron could have created a truly great story with these uber special effects but no, he seemed to take the easy way out. Sadly, this movie missed the mark when it comes to sci-fi.