"Avatar" and the Midcult Climate

(Photo by Irving Penn)

Let me be the first to tell you that "Avatar" is not all that great. Technically, it is fun. Other than that, it has all the hallmarks of a popular midcult film. As I watched it, I remarked the similarities in temper and spirit with the first three (my young friend corrects me and tells me those are four, five, and six) Star Wars films. Both extol the virtues of the Life Force in Nature to which humans are losing their connections as they become more and more reliant upon Technology. Technology can be overcome, we are instructed, by Spirit ("and if by yes"). Please, don't get me wrong--I like that message. I think it is important for children to learn the value of nature and the profundity of living with it. No doubt.

My mother saw the film before I did, which surprises me since she has probably gone to the theater to see a film twenty times in her life, ten of those since she has retired and started hanging out with "the girls." She told me how good the film was. "Did you see it in 3D?" I asked her. "Oh," she exclaimed with worldly wonder, "it is the only way to see it." I almost peed my pants.

And so, having read no reviews of the film and having heard nothing but raves from those who have already seen it, I went expecting a miracle. I did enjoy sitting next to a ten year old and reaching out to grab the 3D objects that floated inches from our faces. But I mostly found the intermittent 3D images a tricky distraction. The technology still has a long way to go (and it will).

The ten year old loved the movie. He is now ready to ingest People magazine, I think. At only ten. I'll let you know. I'll get him a subscription.

Again, I have read no reviews, so if I'm being redundant, forgive me. I'm sure nobody wrote about my mother, though.

What struck me most as I watched the movie, other than the obvious Star Wars similarities, was the Orientalist view the film takes. Obviously, Cameron has outdone me here. He has a better budget. But I didn't get the sense that there was any self-awareness in his presentation. Nobody will complain, I guess, because the Pandorans are not real. But that can be said of my representations, too.

I'll have to wait a few months and then go back and check what has been said. I'm not interested enough to keep up with it like its the Tiger Woods Story. As I say, I thought it a pretty average film once you get over the nascent technological feat.

I've recently fallen in love with Irving Penn's photography. I'm going to order a few of his books today. I am especially taken with Small Trades which I will copy in some form. But I've a renewed interest in all of his work. I will study it and make a comment here one day.

I've taken the liberty to post an image by him without his permission. I can't get it now. He passed away in November. May the Force be with him.