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Smith 1

Tyler Smith

Dr. Desjardins

English 123

7 May 2013

Hidden Themes in Avatar

James Cameron's 2009 box office hit Avatar is one of the most popular films made in recent years, but is also one of the most controversial. Throughout the film the viewer can see a much deeper meaning and hidden messages that are negative towards the United States. The system which is being analyzed is American history through cinema. Throughout the history of the film industry, there have been numerous movies made in relation to things that have happened in America's past. In this movie, James Cameron incorporated many aspects of American history, and controversial conflicts such as the Native Americans and even today with the war in Iraq. Throughout Director James Cameron's movie Avatar, there are clear instances where racism and imperialism are evident, and where the United States can be depicted as evil.

Also, the tactics and motives in the movie can be compared to how the United States has handled situations with the Native Americans and the Iraqi War.

The movie starts off with a paraplegic Marine named Jake Sully. After his brothers tragic death he decides to take his place in a mission on the distant world of Pandora. He is recruited to remotely "pilot" an Avatar, a synthetic human-native hybrid that he can use to infiltrate and act as one of the natives. There he learns of greedy corporate figurehead Parker Selfridge's intentions of driving off the native tribe, the "Na'vi", in order to mine for the precious resource scattered throughout their rich woodland. This precious metal called unobtainium is worth 20 million dollars a kilo. In exchange for the spinal surgery that will fix his legs, Jake has to gather intel for the cooperating military unit commanded by...