Notice the similarities to Miyazaki/Ghibli productions?
 

Cameron was influenced by Princess Mononoke, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (a.k.a. Warriors of the Wind), Castle in The Sky, Pom Poko and My Neighbor Totoro here for some parts and the world.

well, there is everytime influence, no matter what for things you look at. its just about getting the best things and create something unique with it again :D

I'm not complaining, Miyazaki is a genious.

This is possibly the first time I've defended Cameron on this, but...

And? EVERY writer is influenced by others. Every. Single. One. It doesn't matter how cliche, archetypal (and honestly, Avatar falls somewhere between the two, depending on which bit you are talking about and your own view point) and/or how original it is, no one is free from influence.

So, while the list is a bit interesting, I'm not entirely sure on your point of making it? (although I do grant that could be the lack of sleep)

Do you think this film is similar to Mononoke and Nausicaa?

Haven't seen them. *shrugs* But like I said, EVERY WRITER is influenced by something, and the same would go for directors. And Cameron is both.

I'll argue that the plot of Avatar is archetypal at best, cliche at worst, but as far as influence goes...we're all influenced by things we've read and seen.

Oh please rent Mononoke and Nausicaa and you'll see how similar they are to Avatar

There are similarities to Pocahontas and the Last Samurai, too.

Yup, I read that there's really only around 30-40 ancient stories in which any given movie/modern story is at least partially based on....further shows why saying Avatar was just a modern "Pocahontas" is just a bull**** excuse to hate on a popular movie. (That wasn't aimed at you, Ashen Key, I was just pointing at a lot of people I hear IRL who dislike Avatar, lol).

Ahaha, thank you for mentioning that. I do admit that I sometimes use the comparison as a complaint (I think Cameron could have been more imaginative in his story-twists), but end of the day, it is an archetypal plot. And influences are influences, and everyone has one. Or three. Or ten.

If I were to list all the influences on my own work, it'd take me hours to compile. So, while I do think Avatar has themes that are common, and a plot that is archetypal...beyond a certain point, I don't think it's worth mentioning. We KNOW. And we like it anyway.