The Vatican critique on AVATAR

[Lindorm]

Would be interesting to read what the Vatican statement actually said, instead of a few snippets in a Yahoo article. Say what you will about the Vatican, they might be conservative loonies at times, but they usually know how to write decent and well-structured criticism. 

I managed to "alternatively aquire" a copy of Avatar, and I was very glad I didn't pay the exorbitant ticket prices to watch it in a cinema. To put it simply, I did not like the movie at all.

Much as Swatopluk already has mentioned, I found it to be a rather strong dose of Noble Savage-exoticism, with of course the white, civilized, warrior, being the one who is able to blend Civilization with Nature and lead the uncorrupted Savages against the horrible over-civilized (but still somewhat OK) empire, and of course thumbing his nose against a few poofy scientists and corporate executives while doing so. Much the same premise as Dances with Wolves, Last Samurai and a score of other movies. Go Marlboro Man! 

I would hardly call the movie "liberal", even in the US sense, but I think Theodore Roosevelt would have liked it, what with it's warnings against civilization making us soft and effeminate and the turn-of-the century "recapitulation" ideology, about how Western Civilzed Man had to embrace and at the same time control His Inner Savage in order to evolve and not degenerate. Strenous life, soft talk, big sticks and all that.

Yuck.

[Swatopluk]

I wonder what the vatican would say about this   
http://www.alternet.org/sex/145180/why_do_people_want_to_have_sex_with_the_9-foot_tall_natives_in_%27avatar%27/

[Aggie]

I managed to "alternatively aquire" a copy of Avatar, and I was very glad I didn't pay the exorbitant ticket prices to watch it in a cinema. To put it simply, I did not like the movie at all.

It's easily available on streaming video sites.  C found it, but I didn't want to watch it - IF I see it I'll shell out the cash for the 3-D, put the glasses on and my brain off. Can't see the point of watching it otherwise.  I'll wait for Alice, which may be actually worth watching for something besides the 3-D, despite Disnefication.

[Scriblerus the Philosophe]

I wonder what the vatican would say about this  
http://www.alternet.org/sex/145180/why_do_people_want_to_have_sex_with_the_9-foot_tall_natives_in_%27avatar%27/

I lol'd.

Apparently the 'sex' scene* was edited out and will be in the DVD extended version.

*the joining of the tails... 

I think I saw that, actually.

Lindorm: I got that vibe, too.

Must also add this.

[Sibling Zono (anon1mat0)]

It works until:

"...and the two cultures resolve their differences."

It has been suggested that there will be [a] sequel(s) so the similarities with the true story might show up, although it is expected that at the end of the sequel(s) the rosy ending will show up.
---
Apparently some USMC colonel didn't like the film either:

Salas slams the movie since it reportedly "takes sophomoric shots at our military culture and uses the lore of the Marine Corps and over-the-top stereotyping of Marine warriors to set the context for the screenplay.  This does a disservice to our Corps of Marines and the publics' understanding of their Corps."

Perhaps he didn't get the part where it's made clear that those are mercenaries?

[Lindorm]

Scriblerous:  Regarding the whole Pocahontas thing, I can only say this:

Perhaps he didn't get the part where it's made clear that those are mercenaries?

Then again, there are the (in)famous words of former USMC Major-General Smedley Butler:

    I spent 33 years and four months in active military service and during that period I spent most of my time as a high class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street and the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism. I helped make Mexico and especially Tampico safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in. I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street. I helped purify Nicaragua for the International Banking House of Brown Brothers in 1902-1912. I brought light to the Dominican Republic for the American sugar interests in 1916. I helped make Honduras right for the American fruit companies in 1903. In China in 1927 I helped see to it that Standard Oil went on its way unmolested. Looking back on it, I might have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three districts. I operated on three continents.

[stellinacadente]

the vatican are racist against blue people.

they hate the smurfs too

ROTFL!

[Sheila]

Alas, the Pope is a poopyhead.

[Sibling Zono (anon1mat0)]

A poppy head?

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_lDfVXMCBuu0/SHnybVaPeZI/AAAAAAAAAbE/L9S29ard568/s400/opium-poppy-seed-pod%2B%2813%29.JPG

[Bob in a quantum-state-of-faith]

Funny stuff.  Apparently, I completely missed this whole thread back in January...

... I love the direct comparison to Avitar and the legend of Pocahontas.