The scene, or moment, I chose to write about from 'Avatar' was the moment Parker Selfridge, the man in charge of mining operations on Pandora, is describing how Unobtanium is the answer the Earth's energy crisis. Unobtanium is a natural mineral located on Pandora and the indigenous Na'vi population happens to be resting over the "gold mine" of Unobtanium. Considering I haven't seen 'Avatar' since it was in theaters, and don't know anyone I can borrow it from, I am going off a small clip of Selfridge's character from the 'Avatar' trailer (http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRdxXPV9GNQ). (53 seconds into trailer) While only seeing this small clip, I can remember thinking to myself when watching the movie that Cameron must have been trying to argue a message here. To me, this movie in general seemed to be a mimic of real life in America. It's a natural story of one population coming to a new land and taking over with their ideas, beliefs, and wants. In the picture above (a snapshot from the movie) we can see the importance in Selfridge's mannerisms that show Unobtanium is the reason for them being on Pandora, and no other. It is the necessary solution to a crisis on our homeland, earth, and we must do what we can to obtain it; by any means necessary.
Now many can perceive this as a modern day invasion of Iraq for instance. The U.S. invaded with a hidden agenda: obtain oil for America's deficit. While some believe this, and others don't, it can be a strong argument for this movie, and especially this seen. In this clip we see Selfridge holding the piece of Unobtanium as a glorified mineral, and right before he holds it we see the mineral on a hover system, hovering just above the desk top Selfridge is sitting at. It's almost as it's placed there as a reminder to everyone, 'This is what we are here for!' This image and clip hit home with me, not specifically in my beliefs of the war happening right now, but so many other views as to why America is still at war. This image (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/1/1f/Unobtainium.PNG) may mean the same thing as this image (http://www.heatingoil.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/oil-barrels.jpg) depending on a persons' view of what is happening with America today.
Ultimately I think this clip is arguing war. War over what people want. While Cameron is portraying a piece of art here, based on a life of greed or green, from my point of view, there is a show of wants on both sides. It is simple to see how the human invaders of Pandora are there for one thing only, and natural resource (excluding the scientists wanting to study the Na'vi). It is also easy to see that the Na'vi just want to keep what is rightfully theirs, their homeland. Either way there is an argument to be seen, that war will be the answer when what you want is at hand. It's a simple message really, but how you perceive it is what really matters. Cameron I think did a great job in mimicking a real life event; not just one happening right now, but one that has happened throughout history. This clip from his film 'Avatar' really shows how when people want something bad enough, they take it.
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