i love my enemy of the state
Avatar is now the world’s most financially successful film, passing Titanic in global box office revenue. I think this is due to the fact that this film demonstrates how every human being is violent and disruptive and rebellious and inharmonious. We like to think of ourselves as one of the kind, lovely blue alien people. But, in truth, we support and validate the film’s “hero” as much. As often as we try to sell and fool ourselves into thinking we are such lovely, good, civil creatures, we are actually nothing more than barbaric animals. We are the killers.
Avatar’s main character is a US Marine. In one scene of the film’s climax, this Marine jumps aboard a ship operated by his fellow Marines. He does so with the intent of killing them. The film clearly shows how our “hero” dodges the oncoming fire, then runs and jumps over the Marines firing at him. As he jumps over his fellow Marines, he points his automatic weapon downward, shooting directly at the other Marines. THIS SCENE IS IN SLOW MOTION. Obviously, it’s important for us–the viewing audience–to see our “hero” kill his fellow marines.
As popular as Avatar is in China, have we, or would we ever see a soldier so explicitly killing other soldiers in a Chinese film? Citizens of what country should celebrate a film whose main character is a soldier who murders his fellow soldiers? Does Avatar’s “hero” really deserve this title? People of all countries on earth seem to think so.
The “hero” of this film is a US Marine who intentionally murders his fellow Marines. As an American, I am shocked but I understand rebellion as all Americans do. As the worldwide viewing audience is pacified by the pretty blue glowing lights of the beautiful alien planet jungle and the lovely blue alien people, it is clear to me that the world’s “hero” in this film is also a rogue element, a social pariah, a murderer. Every movie ticket purchased is a vote that says, “this is a hero.” This is not my opinion; this is the world fact that Avatar has now passed 1 000 000 000 US dollars in global revenue. The world is saying that it’s OK if this “hero” kills his fellow soldiers.
It’s OK if our “hero” kills his fellow soldiers.
It’s OK.
Yeah, it’s OK. After all, our “hero” is an enemy of the state, and it takes one to know one. A film’s viewing audience will not identify with a hero who does not speak or act on behalf of that audience. There has to be something that the audience understands about the hero and can relate to. To be a successful hero, the audience must “identify” with that character. Avatar’s “hero” is a theatrical symbol of what lies within us all.
It’s OK if our “hero” kills his fellow soldiers. It’s OK. After all, it takes this kind of “hero” to know and love this kind of “hero.” 1 billion US dollars worldwide says so.
:)rickymay