Why Cameron Failed.

[rapunzel77]

I don't think he failed. Most people saw it to be entertained and it succeeded because we have a conversation going about all the themes in the movie and what the messages are. In fact, some of the messages in Avatar, like with any book or movie, may not be what the original writer/director, etc intended. Many people dismissed Avatar for being too simplistic and black/white which we know isn't true. I don't think that Cameron or anyone else can expect people to change over night but if it brings up thought provoking issues that people can actually talk about then he did his job.

I am a conservative on social issues and liberal on some political issues but after seeing Avatar, it got me thinking and pondering about various issues related to the environment, etc. Good art should make one think and allow for conversation. I feel that the "conservative" response was sad. They readily dismissed it without truly watching it. I think it could be due to some of the cringe worthy lines. I love Avatar but there are a few clunky lines that can take someone out of the movie and into the current political situation. That may be why some people were upset and dismissive of the movie.

[Rainbowhawk1993]

Originally Posted by rapunzel77

I don't think he failed. Most people saw it to be entertained and it succeeded because we have a conversation going about all the themes in the movie and what the messages are. In fact, some of the messages in Avatar, like with any book or movie, may not be what the original writer/director, etc intended. Many people dismissed Avatar for being too simplistic and black/white which we know isn't true. I don't think that Cameron or anyone else can expect people to change over night but if it brings up thought provoking issues that people can actually talk about then he did his job.

I am a conservative on social issues and liberal on some political issues but after seeing Avatar, it got me thinking and pondering about various issues related to the environment, etc. Good art should make one think and allow for conversation. I feel that the "conservative" response was sad. They readily dismissed it without truly watching it. I think it could be due to some of the cringe worthy lines. I love Avatar but there are a few clunky lines that can take someone out of the movie and into the current political situation. That may be why some people were upset and dismissive of the movie.

That's it! The proof is hear, we see issues it addresses and we disscus them. I was suprised to see this site with very disscusive topics on morals. I mean, alot of us hear now have a resentment ageinst greedy corporations.

I'm a liberal, but I try to see it from both sides some times but most of the time I just dissagree with the Conservitive reasons. It just doesn't seem reasonable to me. And that part about how conservatists dismiss avatar off the bat when they hear about it, that is just sad. I have a friend who's partents were hard core conservatisis and with out even seeing the movie, they don't allow him to see it. It's so sad to learn that there are some people who are completely ignorient to everything but there own belief.

[rapunzel77]

Originally Posted by Rainbowhawk1993

That's it! The proof is hear, we see issues it addresses and we disscus them. I was suprised to see this site with very disscusive topics on morals. I mean, alot of us hear now have a resentment ageinst greedy corporations.

Exactly. This is what good art does. It helps to wake us up at least to the point that we are talking to each other. We see it so often in the media and general culture, very few people with opposite views actually talking to each other. Instead there is too much bickering and hate.

I'm a liberal, but I try to see it from both sides some times but most of the time I just dissagree with the Conservitive reasons. It just doesn't seem reasonable to me.

I understand where you are coming from but also keep in mind that very few people can be bunched up into liberal or conservative groups. I am a mixture of both. On some moral issues I cannot waver in my conservative position. On everything else, I am more liberal. I have always loved the environment before Avatar but what it did do was awaken in me to have a greater concern for it as well as learning to listen to others. Before Avatar I was listening to more conservative groups but when I saw what their reaction was to the movie, I stopped listening to them because I was disgusted by their reaction. They took it personally when there is very little if any indication in the movie that it was aimed at them at all.

And that part about how conservatists dismiss avatar off the bat when they hear about it, that is just sad. I have a friend who's partents were hard core conservatisis and with out even seeing the movie, they don't allow him to see it. It's so sad to learn that there are some people who are completely ignorient to everything but there own belief.

This is very sad. I grew up in a conservative home and most of my friends irl are also conservative and it irks me sometimes to see some of the knee jerk reactions. It makes us look bad, especially those of us who are also very religiously devout. I enjoyed Avatar and I took from it some very important lessons. Some lessons that perhaps Cameron didn't anticipate. People will read into any work of art weather it is a movie, play, book, painting, sculpture, music, etc anything that they wish to read. Some will only see hate and evil and others will only see love and joy. Very few people will see the more profound messages that can be drawn. Sure, some will only see simplicity and scoff at that but sometimes it is the simplest of stories that we need to hear most.