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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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First I have, to say that I liked the movie. The only thing that spoiled it for me was all the politicizing over it. With all the ballyhoo being made over the left-laning messages, no one seems to be seeing the underlying right-leaning message: the Pandorans can be seen as Americans, who, after ages of laboring hard to perfect and harmonize their society (though still not comlete), are now faced with a wave of foreign incomers, who, after having made wreckage of their own world, are now bent on moving in and doing the same to the PAndorans. The Pandorans ultimately realize that tolerance should only go so far, and must drive the incomers out. Now, if this "message" seems absurd or threatening to the lefties, watch Avatar again and tell me where in the movie it does not occur. Otherwise, why can't righties and lefties just let a movie be a movie?
Since when is being anti-mililtary bad or negative when it involves exploitation and killing for economic profit? I believe the conservatives have confused faith with religion; the two are not synonymous nor interchangeable. One is very much militaristic in its obeyance and adherence policies while clinging to a thought of superiority and righteousness. If they feel the need to hurl pointless, meaningless criticisms and are a little uneasy in their seats, then the film worked. It may have hit a little too close to home for some!
You say it is just a movie, a scifi movie about a fictional world with a fictional race. If in fact, this was to truly be a piece of fiction with no political message, then why did the movie use the real eagle, globe and anchor and name of the Marine Corps. Why didn't Cameron come up with a fictional military and labels to go along with his fictional world. There is no mistaking these icons. This is a deliberate attempt portray the U.S. Military(and specifically the Marine Corps) in a negative light. And all this is being said at the same time our military and corporations are coming to the aid of the Haitians. I guess the Haitians are lucky the earthquake destroyed their country or the military would be killing them for the land instead of fixing their ports and runways, feeding them, and providing for their security.
and one more thing.. Kudos to FOX for using its own networks to create this totally bogus controversy to sell its own movie.. Brilliant..
If anybody in this world does not think that religion and the war machine industrialists are the ONLY cause behind every conflict in this world, I have the Brooklyn Bridge to sell for a very good price.
As for the movie, I did not think of it as anti-military. I thought it was anti-big corporation, hiring the mercenary scumbags to destroy lives for profit ..and I felt is was more pro-religion than not.. but then, what better forum for the conservative pundits than a top grossing movie of all time.. who cares about the facts..?
Rick Grenell and the Vatican nutcases are absolute morons. How is it anti-military (both sides fought with military strategies) and how is it anti-religion? The blue aliens do worship their planet, and that is their religion. If you want to have peace on this miserable planet, respect other people's religions and don't think the non-Christians are any less human. Twit!
Anti-military I can see, but anti-religion? The "good guys" in the movie, the Na'vi, are very spiritual people. If anything, I think it was little too pro-religion.
It is just a movie. It is entertainment. It is successful entertainment. If you don't like it don't spend your money to go see it. Use your pocket book to express your opinion.
I am so sick of negative opinions in the media.
Of course this movie is a stab at American history and motivations, past and present. It's all Cameron knows how to do lately. And Cameron HIMSELF admits to having political views in his movie. Go to http://www.thewrap.com/article/james-cameron-avatars-political-message-12929 and read (if you can) an interview with him. He will tell you exactly what the right wing is saying: he has his agenda and it's in the film.
You can lead libs to knowledge, but you can't make them think...
We NEED conservatives and religious fanatics to complain about the movie. We NEED Bible Thumpers to quote unrelated, unreal parables from the Bible! We NEED Conspiracy Theorists! It's a hard, cold, dirty world without them! They are RIDICULOUS people and that offers a chance for normal people who go to a movie to be entertained to say, "Okay, now THAT'S funny! We NEED LAUGHTER! These ridiculous people supply it. "
LMAO! Any who gave this a serious thought, thought way too much about it. O_o
Avatar is just a movie, albeit a great movie. I don't understand why some people came away from the movie feeling it was anti religion and anti military. This was a movie about a people in harmony with their planet and each other. This is a goal we should strive for, not condemn. I am looking forward to the sequel.
You couldent have said it better Larry from OH.
I find it funny people accually want to be offended. I've had a saying for a while now "It's not my fault you're offended. What I said was without malice. You're the one that made it offensive." You choose to be offended. Why can't you just sit back and enjoy a movie?
I'm a conservative Republican Roman Catholic who grew up reading science fiction and loved Avatar. Given that 40% of the country considers themselves conservative and over 80% Christian, based on ticket sales, I'd say the vast majority of conservatives and Christians, and Conservative Christians, like the movie as well. The people in this video clip and the Vatican Newpaper need to take a chill pill, or maybe get some therapy. Anyone drawing a link between the corporate mercenaries depicted in the movie and the American military is insulting the American military. And I don't know what the Vatican newspaper can be thinking? It seems like somebody has put paranoia pills in the water supply. However, it not like you'll find paranoia only on the right. There are some on the left who still swear that President Bush and the U.S. Government were behind 9/11?
I think this comment stream highlights the literacy problem in the US. How many times must someone point out that the "soldiers" were NOT military service members, but hired by the company (mercenaries). As a veteran, I know there is a difference, but maybe some of the ignorant people here do not understand this important difference. The military argument can be put to rest if you know how to READ people.
Furthermore, please use spell check before you post some idiotic comment about "anti-this and anti-that". I have a hard time considering a comment when I think it may have been typed by a 12 year old.
Thank you!
Conservatives see " Avatar" as anti- religion because in the movie they obviously don't worship the " God", but they are really spiritual and pray for nature and gods who exist in the universe.
The "military" in this film is simply the Blackwater boys on steroids: Corporate Security of the future.
And is it anti-American to demonstrate having your land taken away by force from the point of view of the folks getting booted?
Manifest destiny lives on it seems.
You know, Reality, people are debating the Bible all the time as if it were real. It is as fictional as Avatar, unless you believe Mendellian genetics allows for a current planetary population of six billion from one breeding pair with a tast for apples (nonsense!), or a flea-bitten, robe-wrapped peasant can divide a minor sea with a stick (incredible nonsense!) Yes, Avatar is a piece of fiction that people have been debating for a month or so. I can think of other pieces of fiction that have been debated for centuries.
Why oh why must EVERYTHING have a hidden agenda??? You could take this same (lame) argument and apply it to any number of films that have been made over the years.
Gupta and Anderson are true heroes for what they doing in Haiti.
what is actually making a statement about* correction.
Firstly, I think we can clearly see the parallels drawn between America's history with Native Americans, and that is a history we have to own. Additionally, there is a bit of an overt jab at mysticism and religion in the movie when Grace is talk about the tree of souls, and claims that it isn't "some kind of voodoo" and that Ewa (sp) is something measurable and tangible, however, that isn't such a terrible thing, because regardless the Na'vi are represented as spiritual, and in some ways monotheistic. The movie perhaps wasn't so much anti-religion, as it was anti-institution, which is why the Catholic Church is up in arms. In Avatar, the wisdom of Ewa is available to everyone, and connects all living things, and there is no intermediary through which one must come to understand Ewa (i.e. a religious establishment). I personally find the teleology wonderful, and simply because worshiping naturalistic things flies in the face of the idea of "blind" faith, so to speak, it is still connected by an individual force, which is a monotheistic idea. So really the only huge religious thing that causes division of opinions, is tangibility and intangibility.
Regarding the aforementioned statement about our history with Native-Americans, the film is not so much anti-military, as it is anti-genocide, and anti-manifest destiny, making it thus anti-ethnocentrism and anti-overbearing theocentrism. So, to use the accusative rhetoric that we often find on news stations such as FOX news, if you are against this film, than perhaps you fail to see what it is actually making a statement, thus you are rendered ethnocentric, pro-genocide, anti- freedom of religion (which is clearly an ideal which we purport to hold dear), and anti-environment.....
The movie follows the director's ideology. James Cameron isn't known for his conservative views so thus the movie followed a more liberal agenda. That should be rather self-explanatory. Besides the anti-military, and anti-capitalist stance that most conservatives are taking what about the blatant stereotyping of the Native Americans? I would have been highly offended if someone used every stereotype in the book to describe my cultural heritage. Just a thought.
http://bovinebloviations.wordpress.com
The characters and theme seems to be inspired by the Hindu epic "Ramayan" of India and the rituals of Native americans. The movie making is superb but the story is definitely not original.
Anti-military??!! I think those gun dudes were mercenaries paid by the BIG company that wanted the unoptanium ore. You know, they are the ones who kill for money; anybody's money. Sorta like Blackwater aka Xe. As for religion, I kinda liked what the "natives" have. More realistic. Nobody there born of a virgin, got up from the dead, walked on water and all that stuff. It also looked like they never had an Inquisition in their history. Christianity is the biggest PR coup in human history. Loved the movie.
OK, the movie makes a bunch of former U.S. Marines, working as mercenaries for a faceless corporation interested only in profits, look rather less than human.
Maybe nothing like that has ever happened in real life, and maybe nothing like it ever will. But I fail to see how being opposed to the fictional rape of a foreign world makes you anti-U.S. military, unless you think that's what the U.S. military does!
Anyone who considers this as 'anti-religious' is also viewing the universe through extremely biased, partisan eyeballs. Obviously, they believe that their religion is the only way the universe can work. Actually, I found the religion in Avatar to be close to that of many philosophers, and of course, to that of many native people here on Earth.
This is just another opportunity to Douthat to complain that reality has a liberal bias, again.
And I suppose "The Passion of the Christ" is not anti-religion and anti-military? I can only guess at the number of children who suffer recurrent nightmares after having seen it.
Oops! I meant a GOOD sci-fi movie in my previous comment.
Mr. William Morrow and the other liberals commenting on generalizing all conservatives as a whole, just because of a few who were offended about Avatar, you need to wake up and understand the common sense about conservatives and liberals.
First of all William, if you actually looked at a bible for even a day, you would notice it is full of wars from God loving people. This is how God punished evil! Yes, there are bad wars and wars that are accepted by God for different reasons. I know you ask, then why is it not OK for extremist to fight a holy war? It is because they intentionally kill women, children, and their own people just to instill fear.
Think about this for a second, if it were not for conservatives(or as you call it, right wingnuts) the United states WOULD NOT be the most powerful country in the world! We would be just like any European country that cannot help anybody! Just common sense liberals!
As for the movie, I do not take movies serious as long as they do not go out of their way to bash a certain belief. Avatar was a god sci-fi movie.
Ya know...What offends me is anyone with a cause they have to force on others. You want to believe in God, or whoever, BELIEVE. You want to be gay, BE GAY. But don't push your beliefs on others, don't put your cause in every sitcom episode. Everyone needs to back the hell off and remember this country is supposed to be about the freedom of all...
Apparently the distinction is made that the soldiers are mercenaries hired by a company, so this should deflate the anti-military criticism a bit. The characterizations were a bit extreme and that, too, may feed criticisms in this regard. The commander's zeal, however, is explained somewhat by his personal experience. Also, historically the U.S. has to not forget what it has done to native peoples in the name of wanting certain resources...it's not like the attitudes, military or otherwise, are unprecendented historically. Perhaps certain representatives of the military should review their own nation's history a bit more.
Did the Catholic church also have a problem with Dances With Wolves? The fact they take issue with this film suggests that they have no perspective on the spiritual beliefs of an oral, hunter-gathered culture versus a literate, industrial culture. And besides, the Avatar spirituality was all potentially explanable scientifically within the movie itself. So what supernatural beings does Avatar posit? Maybe the Catholic Church is still in denial about the femininity of divinity.
Aren't we all just taking this a bit too seriously? This is a movie, entertainment. Why does there have to be a message or a message read into it? How can you enjoy this type of entertainment if you're constantly looking for a hidden meaning, a message, etc? It's got an interesting story, paced well, and is entertaining. Leave it at that. Get a life!
Well, if everything has to be faith-based and conservative, I guess we have to stick to veggie tales
This movie is about freedom fighters, something we were at one time (Remember the Revolutionary War? No, probably not). It's not anti-military, because the "Bad Guys" aren't military, they're a bunch of thug mercenaries (a la Blackwater). And it boggles my mind that anyone is calling it "anti-faith". The movie is completely about faith, and the dudes with God on their side wins!
Once again, it shows how the nut-fringe, right wing, christian fanatic conservatives will try to spin anything. I'm surprised they don't say this movie is President Obama's fault!
Titanic must have been anti-love, anti-capitalism, anti-family.
Star Wars must have been anti-war, anti-reality... anti-government.
Harry Potter must have been anti-friendship, and anti-brooms too.
Thats it! Movies are nothing but a big heap of anarchy to go.
We all can't make Oliver Stone films.
The movie was a techno-action event based on a trite and overworked script line.
What is amazing is this blog, the number of peace-loving folk who loved the movie and can't miss an opportunity to belittle Christians for their views. I really don't see who you are arguing with. It seems that most of us know it is just a silly movie and not really one to be remembered.
You know that you have totally lost your mind when you are debating the real with whats fake. Pandora is NOT REAL, get your heads out of the clouds and come into reality!!!!
If there were no religion, there'd be no need for military. So Cameron's themes are right on.
I thought the movie presented a breathtaking world through great (and not over-the-top) 3-D special effects. I'm a conservative Christian and agree that the movie is new-age and not of Christianity. Yet, the movie does justice in raising valid questions about what is right and true and just regardless of your faith or religion. Being a Chistian, it challenges my faith and incites me to consult the Bible on such matters.
America and its military is great blessed and has paid a very high price to ensure our freedoms – including the free speech we enjoy on this site. At the same time, our military and foreign policies are not perfect, having made grave mistakes for our involvement in other countries. Hopefully, we can learn from those mistakes and move on towards a brighter future, both for ourselves and for future generations.
this movie sucked. basically history of the human race always stealing and killing each other for land and resources
Are you people kidding me? It's a MOVIE– enjoy the darn thing -_- !! Also, I've seen TV shows and movies where humans die, lose, and are viewed as the bad guys, but that didn't make me hate humanity, it made me sit back with popcorn. If you are truly offended, then please go out and look at other religions that don't have Gods or Jesus, and see why they prosper. PLEASE just enjoy the movie, and stop wasting everyone's time with simple complaints like these.
I can't believe the Vatican actually commented on this. They are SO ARROGANT! I am an ex-Catholic and left the church precisely because of all the harm it did me, attacks from pedophile priests included! I think they need to spend their time and mind boggling wealth helping Haiti since a good deal of that mess is their fault! They won't allow the 80% Catholic population to use birth control but I don't exactly see them supporting all those millions of children that were born as a result. I heard they gave a dontation to the relief effort. I would love to know how much. I bet it was so little it was insulting! Even $9 million would only be one dollar for each person! They need to mind their own business. If there is any such thing as Hell, the Pope should be the first in line!
Anti-Neocon, and about some religion other than christianity.
Well the Neocons have done horrible damage to this country so great!
If you are someone who cannot respect someone else's religion -in a movie no less – then stuff it.
I thought the story was ridiculous and the ending was ludicrous. (Spoiler Alert)....Fast forward a few months after the ending and I'm pretty sure we'd see a massacre. THAT's reality. The military would just come back with more ships, more guns, and take what they wanted....and if it wasn't the US military, it'd be another countries' military. Horses against machine guns? Yeah...good luck with that.
The fact that conservatives feel offended and threatened by the messages of this movie, completely validates the messages of this movie. If they've automatically typecasted themselves into the roles of the antogonistic elements of the story, or feel that the "bad guys" are a reflection of them than they need not be angry at the movie, but must look inward and raise question to their own beliefs and outlook on the activities of our country and our world.
The movie was provocative, it was meant to be provocative and challenge all people of all walks of life, political preferences, religious views, etc. to look at the human condition from an outside perspective, in this case literally an extraterrestrial existence. We're suppose to come out of the movie and be better people, not complain becase someone told us something about ourselves that we didn't want to hear.
Anger outrage and verocity are emotional weaknesses that point directly to the fear that these conservatives are consumed with when their belief systems are challenged. Its sad small minded ignorance.
Hats off to James Cameron for not telling everyone what the movie was really doing to be about until they got into the theatre's and watched. Otherwise all of these ignorant people wouldn't have even watched the movie.
You see how many people declare how much they hate michael moore, but self admittantly will tell you in the next sentence that they've never even seen one of his documentaries or read any of his books.
Blind leading the blind....good lord.
It took us to a different place and entertained us. It was beautiful and exciting. That's why I go to movies. If I want dissention and criticizm, I watch tv.
As a religious conservative (note: NOT neo-conservative), I loved this movie.
The message of "it's wrong to kill people so you can steal there stuff" seems to be right in line with what my religion teaches.
I wish we were back in the days where conservatism meant individual people's rights, rather than "corporations can do whatever they want". Which is why neo-conservatives are all up in arms about this movie. This movie is VERY anti-corporate power.
I truly can't understand why this is viewed as an anti-religious movie. The good guys are religious. The bad guys aren't. Doesn't that mean religion is good?
So was Titanic anti-cruise ship industry? Yes, relax, it's just a movie.
As an ex-member of the Army, the comparisons of the merc's in Avatar to the real military is insulting. Just putting camo fatigues and carrying a gun does not make you a soldier. They were not, nor did they act like it.
I think the "conservatives" in their rush to hate something missed the plot this movie. The planet had two resourses, the mineral that they wanted to mine, and link that allowed all of the creatures on the planet to communicate with each other, and store information. From a business point of view it seems to me that the mineral would be the least profitable of the two so I guess the "conservative hate mongers" are correct in that the movie was anti-business.
Congratulations all of you. You fell for it. CNN did exactly what they meant to do. First of all, most of you are saying that THE CONSERVATIVES are all bashing this movie. Well obviously not because the movie is making an unbelievable amount of money. All of you need to CALM DOWN. CNN managed to find one idiot who said we should all be offended because the movie is "anti military" and "anti religion". Then they said that it is "all over the Internet" that tons and tons of people are offended by the movie. Oh really, well everybody in this blog seems to agree that the movie is neither anti military nor anti religion. Chill out people.
oh my, IT'S JUST A MOVIE! how 'bout watching for the pure joy of entertainment and escapism? do we really need another reason to get at each others' throats and start pointing fingers?
This is a movie with high entertainment needed
in a time that weighs heavy on our overburdend
minds!! rEALLY ITS JUST A MOVIE!!!!
I see Avatar for what it is, a sci fi film with lots of action, lots of cool ideas as far as how another planet may function internally. I loved the idea that the beings could "plug in" to the environment around them. As for Religion...isn't religion the vehicle for people to embrace their spiritual connection? So these folks have a different spiritual connection big deal! Americans are open to all faiths and belief systems. Anti-military well lets see military is needed for defense this movie is Military offense for corporate gain if you want to side with that so be it. Personally killing another sentient being for financial gain is wrong to me.
Gee Mat Poling, ever hear of the Crusades? The 100 Year War? Or the fact that Hitler was born a Christian, as was Stalin (Russian Orthodox). How about all those Christians who came to America seeking, "religious freedom" and wiped out millions of non-Christian Indians? As far as Napoleon is concerned I think he had it about right when he said: "Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich," and he was born Christian too. Anyone can cherry pick facts to support an argument. There are evil people in all cultures and religions, even among Christians.
It says a lot about the arrogance of Catholics that they think "non-Christian spirituality" means "anti-faith". Since when did "faith" mean "Catholicism"? Does that mean Buddhists are "anti-faith" too?
The movie was excellent. When the DVD hits the market I will but at least two copies. People today are really messed up. These negative people should divert there attention to more important matters. Taxes, jobs and all of the real plights of the world. It is said that at our current financial crises we will leave us broke in 7 to 9 years. What do these people do? Sit at home and dream of issues. These people have serious issues to resolve.
These negative people live very dismal lives. i could go on but these people need to wake up and look at the third world countries.
The entire staff for Avitar did a fantastic job
I was under the impression that the security forces were mercenaries, ex-military because that's who would have the right training for that kind of work. That's why the group that the Colonel was speaking to when you first saw him weren't all fit and clean-cut like active military would be – there were longhairs, fat guys, etc. Just because several of them were former Marines doesn't make the movie "anti-Marine".
Anti-religion? You must be kidding. This idea comes from the thinking that "my religion is the only religion" – the kind of thinking that terrorists use to justify their crimes against humanity, and the kind of thinking of people who fail to see that the God of Christianity and Allah are one and the same. "You may say we worship the same God, but if you don't abide by my standards and picture him as Grandpa-on-a-Cloud, white robes flowing despite no wind, with Kindly Longhair kid at his right, and some guy named Pete sitting at a podium by a golden archway, then you are evil and must be destroyed." God forbid we ever respect the right of others to be just as religious as ourselves in any way even slightly different from our own.
It is not anti-American, but a statement against some of the things that America (and others) have done in the past in the name of progress or simple greed. Not everything America does is the right thing when looked back upon in history. For example the treatment of the American indians were viewed as acceptable and the right thing to do at the time, we look back now and wonder how we could have been so cruel. North America was not colonized, it was conquered.
at Jason Carroll – reporter for this article...exactly WHO are the critics you speak of...or are you just whipping up controversy for controversy and entertainment sake?
As I read on all I can do wonder at the incivility from both sides. I regret taking this diversion during lunch. You are all to be pitied for your narrow opinionated minds. Get a life and do something worthwhile with the time you have.
Yes, Avatar is anti-military, though anti-Bush might be added to the list with its anti terroristic war statements / implications. People, in case you haven't figured it out, Islamic extremism wants to either: 1) kill you, 2) convert you to the muslim faith or 3) have you pay an annual tribute called Jizia (don't believe me, then Google it) to live separate from Islam. In their mind, there are no other options. Given their belief system which in their mind is from their god, what should we do? Convert to the type of Islam the extremist embrace, pay tribute, or.... This is NOT saying that all muslims are this way. I have friends that are muslim and they don't act they way at all...its the Islamic extremists that have this view.
Also, I would NOT say it is anti-religion. Avatar has numerous religous references of being 'one' with nature. It is, however, quite anti-Christianity. Christianity is about a relationship with the Creator through his Son and not with creation.
I consider myself pretty conservative but COME on people. It is JUST a movie. Can't we just appreciate for it for what it really is? FICTION!!!! SCI-FI!!! Grow up people and have fun watching this movie.
It amazes me how many conservatives use the words faith and war together to let the rest of us know how unpatriotic we are... Amazing....
What utter nonsense. It's not anti-military because the natives are warriors who quickly raise an army and defeat the imperialists. It's also not anti-religion because they are highly spiritual, and the main character PRAYS for help from the native god/goddes or whatever; while most of the humans in the movie look down on their religion as mumbo jumbo. Anybody who says the movie is either overtly "conservative" or "liberal" is reading way too much into it. I'm a Christian, a conservative, and a veteran, and I don't see how half of you are drawing the conclusions you are on either side.
Wow.
I am Catholic, and I liked the movie.
I am American, and I liked the movie.
I have relatives who were in the military, and I liked the movie.
Why did I like the movie?
1.- I am an adult who is able to form my own individual opinion on subject matter of any sort.
2.- I know the difference between reality and fiction.
3.- I can draw inferences to reality from the fiction, and decide for myself how accurate the allegory is. (Go look allegory in a dictionary please).
4.- I do not interfere with other's opinions on subject matter, you know what they say about opinions... right? Everybody's got one, and no one cares to listen to another's opinion.
5.- As long as we are human, we will have conflicts of interest in the following three areas:
a. War / Military use and purpose.
b. Religion / Spirituality use and purpose.
c. Wealth / Riches use and purpose.
In the end it does not matter what anyone thinks of the movie. I for one am glad that at least people are conversing about what realities they are interpreting from having watched the movie. Maybe we do need to have more talking about differences and more resolutions towards making these differences disappear. It sure can help our future generations if we adults are able to get beyond our belief systems and our opinions and move towards a more neutral, positive human way of thinking.
Wow, it looks like the "liberals" are looking for a reason to bash all "conservatives". All it takes is someone to throw a title with no merit on an article and you are willing to jump on the bandwagon and lump all conservatives into a basket and decide we are all stupid. Think about it a little harder before you start stereotyping and spewing hate.
This movie is not anti-military, it's anti-impieralist. Why do people assume that the soldiers were Marines? Actually, if you had paid attention to the movie, you would have noticed that the soldiers are ex-military. That means they were mercenaries; basically like a gigantic team of corporate security. If you didn't end up rooting for the natives, you're not the type of person I want to be around. Frankly, I liked what I saw of the natives religion. It reminded me of Buddhism, not that I'm a religious buff. Oh, and I'm a conservative.
P.S. Fred, I like the "futuristic cowboys and indians" comment...good call!
It's a movie – just watch it as a movie and move along – Geez, agenda this, agenda that – can't we just be entertained anymore without someone jumping on some bandwagon. Come on people when did we get so freaked out by every little thing?
Ok people they were hired guns...mercenaries...ex marines. This is explained in the beginning of the movie. How can this be anti military? Wouldn't you fight back if some foreign agency tried to take your resourses by force?
How can you confuse a symbiotic relationship between creatures on a "FICTIONAL WORLD" and the flora for a religion? Orson Scott Card's novel "Speaker or the Dead" covers just this type of "human" prejudice. Also, there is a closer resemblance between the East India Company than any national miltary.
It is a great work of fiction. How can it be racist, anti-religious or anti-military. People are bringing their own prejudices into the interpretation of the film.
oh, matt poling, you fool. You just selected a bunch of non-Christians and left out the kings, queens, bishops and Popes of Europe.
http://www.jesusneverexisted.com/1000years.htm
The Catholic Church has been the source of Europe's constant warring through the age of empires. You know nothing of which you speak.
The protestants fared a little better, given they did not have a Pope, but they had their moments. See what Henry VIII did to blasphemers. See the Salem witch trials, which actually are fairly tame compared to the witch hunts happening in Europe under Cromwell.
We aren't stupid. We know that your suburban church moms aren't evil minions of hate (well, most of them aren't). By the way, Hitler was a Christian, or at least claimed to be. Some other writings show he had contempt for Christianity, so it is easy to go either way on that one.
I believe Hitler to be Christian the way Dick Cheney is. In private, they don't believe in that nonsense, but they will tell all their Christian followers they are, as an easy way to manipulate them into fighting their wars for them, kind of like Osama Bin Laden is a Muslim (which he isn't – real Muslims don't kill people, nor do real Christians: and there is no "free pass" for soldiers) but he talks the talk to get weak minded types to sacrifice their lives.
It's only anti-religion if one thinks that only a literal, Christian approach is the only "real religion". And rather than anti-military, I find it anti-colonialism.
I agree with many of the posts on here. It is just a movie. A fictional story. Why are people taking it so serious? Many movies have political or social commentary in them. Especially fantasy and sci fi. Just look at District 9. Why no uproar on that?
I came out of the movie thinking it was stunning visually but the plot and dialogue were just average at best. Sure it had an anti war message and an anti exploitation message of both people and the environment. So what? Think about some of the best war movies ever made. Most of them had an anti war message in some form or another. Saving Private Ryan, Platoon, A Bridge Too Far, Last of the Mohicans… All were mixed with the message of the futility and inhumanity of battle. Some wars are necessary and some are not. Some military tactics are necessary and some are not. A war fought for resources or the subjugation of another people is not a just war and I think that was really the message of the movie. Who gives a sh*t what James Cameron's views on our military personnel are? I certainly don’t share his views. He is an idiot but the movie was pretty cool
People, you amaze me!.....NOT!
The one thing liberals cannot see is that they are very guilty of that which they accuse their opponents of.
PC-crap is a leftist invention to attack the right. Leftists are insulted by EVERYTHING. Seriously. You support the rights of the Atheists and promote "tolerance" of Islam and Wiccan, but fail to in your own ability to be "tolerant" of Christians. (I could give a laundry list...)
Quit attacking the group. If someone feels offended. Let them feel it. The first amendment gave freedom of speech...it did not guarantee that you would be free from being offended.
BTW, I am in with the majority....it's a MOVIE.
It is a movie. Enjoy it for what it is. Some people are too freakin sensitive!
Anti-Christian: read the red letters in the New Testament and see that it is not.
I think we forget that this is just a movie..and this movie did excatly wat it was ment 2 do...... get profit,it is one of th biggest selling movie in history,just leave it 2 people 2 alway's make something out of nothing god people its a ficiton movie..... blue people and most of the movie iz digital any ways.why not enjoyit its simple if u dont like it of well dont go see it or watch it again if you did like it great you got to see a movie you liked...remember blue people not real people can do anything. Remember it all about money with the flim industry. Its about what makes you wanna watch a movie like shocking images will always grab your attention so remember that,its like the news 90% on whats on the news is shocking and an grabs you. same goes withmovies they just want our money so stop with the anti this or that its all about money with this people and this country and everywhere else
It seems that so-called conservatives are not happy unless they are bashing something. In reality, their criticism only serves to make people more curious about Avatar. Spirituality does not have to include mention of God or Jesus. How can the film be anti-military when it portrays a group of mercenaries?
Conservatives would be better served by keeping their opinions to themselves. They are viewed by the rest of us as a bunch of reactionaries who would promote their own views at the expense of others.
Im 64 years old and a conservative! I thought the move was great science fiction and very entertaning. If you are reading anything else into this, then YOU have a problem! The key word is fiction.
Matt Poling: says that most wars are caused by atheists.
In fact, Hitler's family were catholic and the Third Reich was fashioned in accordance with that religion. It's well known that he took advantage of religious leaders at the time, many of which happily obliged in turning a blind eye to his rise to power.
But even if Hitler wasn't religious, he was certainly fanatical.
And it sure is fanatical to try and dominate an animation with a particular religious view point.
What ever next!
People just like crap to talk about. Who cares.
Avatar is not ahead of Titanic in ticket sales, but considering it still is in its run and nothing else is close to Titanic....its an impressive haul. They also say Gone with the wind in in ticket sales and factoring inflation made 17 bajillion dollars.
IT'S JUST A MOVIE!!!
And a good one.....
Rubbish. Maybe the dumb conservatives.
1) The "villains" are mercenaries run by a "results at any cost" corporate executive. It's not anti-soldier, it's anti-mercenary. Saying Avatar is anti-soldier is like comparing Black Water to the US Army. There is no comparison.
2) The movie is pro-religion. It is not the Judeo-Christian God, but a fantasy god(dess). An movie goer with even a few gray cells working will note the "god(dess)" in Avatar lets the people move in free will. But comes through at the battles climax and saves the day. God(dess) wins over the high tech corporate mercenaries. Right over might with divine aid. Sounds like something straight out of the Bible to me.
The movie is a good reflection of the kind of Western colonial imperialism that has dominated in our human culture in the past centuries. I call it the "guns, god (christianity), and gold" imperialism. Avatar is not anti-military, it is anti-imperialism. It is not anti-religion, it is anti-cultural arrogance. It illustrates the negative attributes of our human nature, such as greed, cultural intolerance and bigotry that is still plaguing our human existence...But most importantly, it shows that we also have the capacity and abiltiy to correct these faults, and it inspires us to evolve into better existences.
"Patricia January 26th, 2010 3:13 pm ET
Yes, I was very depressed after the movie. I like the creation of the world and the special events but when the war started, it was anti-everything American-way too far left for me. Marine killing other marines, unthinkable. Colonel says 'How does it feel to kill your own kind?" He responded by killing him. I would never ever want to see the movie again."
Misinformation. Go back and watch the movie again. The movie hinted that most of the security forces USED to be in the army, or a marine, or whatever. But now they were all private soldiers bought and paid for for a private corporation. That's right, no country to fight and die for, just a paycheck.
As another FYI, the film never even stated they were American, or that US even exists anymore.
And finally, the Colonel said "How does it feel to betray your own race?"
Anyway, thought I'd clear that up for you, since you have no intention of seeing it again. 😛
It's just a MOVIE. A really good one at that. If people would get off this politcal correctness crap, the world would be alot better place!!!
It's just a movie. Nothing more and nothing less. I believe the people who think it is either "Anti" or "Pro" anything are reading too much into it. Just watch it and enjoy it...
It depends on what people are using their religion for I think. Most people using it as a guide to lead a better life I think haven't had much issue. The people who are completely immersed in living the old testament as well as the new testament have always been vocal about anything that contradicts what they've been told in church, and quite frankly these people are useless in this upcoming millenium.
I agree with the critics here. Everything that the military and corporate characters did in the film was right, true, and godly. The Left will just never understand that killing and destruction is a beautiful and acceptable part of God's creation. Only God's warriors can make the decision as to who needs to be killed, or have their land destroyed, and who doesn't. That is why we have the military and the corporations who fund it. Someone needs to enforce the values for the good of humanity that the Left is always trying to destroy. These so-called values of peace, preservation of land, refusal to accept money and profit as a value in itself, etc. etc. are completely anti-Christian. God wants his people to prosper, and He expects that if blood needs to be spilled or things destroyed in the process, then He commands us to do it in His name. The message of Avatar was completely topsy-turvy. The good guys lost, and this makes it a bad movie. We need a law to prevent movies like this from being made. Christ himself would hate this film, and would command his followers to kill those responsible. Praise be to Yeshua.
Can't we just enjoy something anymore! For God sakes, stop analyzing everything to death and chill out!
Andrew G January 29th, 2010 7:13 am ET
Your post has to be one of the most ignorant thread of words I have read in years. You need help.
Why do movies need to be pro-military or pro-religion. Isn't the point of art (painting, music, literature, performing..) to stimulate people to think or feel emotion? So what if it isn't favorable towards one group or another. Why is this news?
First! I am not spending that kind money when I can see on PPV
Second! Military is needed, preverted Religion is not (most of them are unfortunately)
Third ! Left wing get your head out of the sand, Righties loosen up .
Remember life is short
Wow–computer glitched and some of my sentences did NOT make a lick of sense!! Please forgive and use your own heads to change what doesn't sound right! 🙂
Basically– movie very religious (animistic)
not anti-military–just a movie that used the military to show some mean people because thats the only thing that would have made sense -if we made it a school district with a bunch of mean teachers, the movie wouldn't have been very effective, would it?
Religion does not mean "faith based on the Christian God". Religion is all about a faith that one can't see. There are several different religions...and the one in this movie most closely identifies with the tribal religions, or animistic religions, that one has seen for thousands of years with indigenous groups, etc. There is NO ONE that can honestly say that this movie is not spiritual. My take on it was as follows: It was so beautiful to see the faith that these people put into something they couldn't see. They just felt it inside. Whatever religion or denomination one may be, if it is looked at in the right angle, everyone should be able to appreciate the beauty of what is being offered. I consider myself more of a conservative, but this is just a movie. I am not the least bit offended but the off color military. They show some good people left in there. Some people, no matter the profession, do whatever they can do to get to the top. Some don't. The movie only made sense to have it be the military be those people. Sooooo what????
What???????
The Navi people as depicted in this movie understand who Jesus is and are living by what they know. They just never made it into a religion of the ego!
And as for the military???????? How much war has been fought in the past couple of decades by "bought and paid for" corporate mercenaries fighting alongside U.S troops? Have we been so mesmerized by the media that we have lost all perspective of what has really been going on? Take a look at our country in present time and I would say "YES."
Its a movie for crying out loud. 3 hours of entertainment, not something that should change your life.
Let's see...
(1) The locals put together their own military team comprised of air and ground defense. Using well-established fighting techniques, they defeat those who were determined to forcefully remove them from their homeland. Survivors from the losing side are shipped back home. Gosh, so allegations of the movie being "anti-military" must be short-hand for someone not liking who won the battle.
(2) The locals call their God "Eywa". They respect their God, listen to their God, turn to their God for guidance, turn to their God for strength, and turn to their God when their hearts are broken. Hmmmmm...so allegations of the movie being "anti-religion" must be short-hand for someone not liking the religion that the locals adhere to. Must really gall them that Eywa doesn't require massive infusions of monetary donations.
Anti-military, you got to be kidding (there are no military in the movie, just ex-military called mercenaries) . Anti-mercenary yes, want to take a jab at someone, then I would say anti-blackwater, anti-corporate out of control power, yes. Anti-religious only to a extreme right wing religious fundamentalist who thinks anyone that expresses any view other than their own is anti-religious.
It reminds me of a "A Man Called Horse", is that a anti-religious movie or anti-military, or maybe "the Return of a Man called Horse". Never heard anyone attack either of these movies, but I see a lot of similarity between the story lines. A modern cowboy and Indian movie on a different planet, this time the Indians don't lose.
All in all Avatar is a GREAT MOVIE and is a must see for anyone that enjoys being entertained. Critics should grow up and stop trying to find anti-political and religious statements in everything that is made for the purpose of entertainment, and just enjoy a truely great movie.