3:45, #539: Avatar Dissected

Last night I watched 'Avatar' and came to a conclusion...the writers watched a whole bunch of other movies and capitalized on their efforts. If you've seen 'Avatar' you'll recognize the references. If not, this can serve as your 'critic's review' to possibly determine if you want to see it.

First, the plot is that aliens (that would be the earth men) fly to Pandora to take all the resources of the planet and annihilate the Na'vi indigenous peoples in the process if necessary because their own planet is dying. Can you say PLOT OF 'INDEPENDENCE DAY?' Can you say Environmentalist Whackos writing scripts?

Secondly, the mechanized earthlings battle the bow and arrow, flying on dragon-like creatures Na'vi in scenes reminiscent of 'The Return of the Empire' when the Rebels and Ewoks whup up on Vader and the Bad Guys.

Thirdly, The alien, a.k.a. Jake Scully (X-Files anyone?) falls in love with the Chief's daughter after she saves his life and teaches him how to be one of The People...can you say 'POCHAHANTAS??!!'

Then there's #4: The dragon-looking creature and its rider PICK EACH OTHER...This time around we have Jeremy Irons in 'Eragon!!'

Numero Cinco (de Mayo-naise?) is the parallel of the rampaging dinosaur wannabe creatures that the Divine Mother of Pandora let's loose to save the day...reminded me of the rampaging Dinos in the most recent 'King Kong'...hey, where's the big ape when you really need him?!!

And how about the characters?!! For those of you who've seen 'Last of the Mohicans,' you'll remember the voice of Magua, a.k.a. Wes Studi as the Chief Eytukan of the Na'vi...guess Ole Wes got a promotion when he changed tribes!!

I like The Bad Guy, Colonel Miles Quaritch, a.k.a. Stephen Lang, who's played nasty Ike Clanton in 'Tombstone' and hard core soldier Stonewall Jackson in 'Gods and Generals' and combines the two characters quite well with some cool looking scars on his head!

And Sigourney Weaver played the same character as she did in ALL FOUR ALIEN MOVIES!!

Well, before I continue this rant any further, I'll just crank up ELO's "The Jungle" and think I'm on Pandora.