Sci-fi case study

Plot• Set in 2154, humans have slowly depleted the earth of all of it’s resources

however to continue supporting themselves they have traveled to another planet

called Pandora, a densely forested planet with an atmosphere poisonous to

humans. Enabling them to travel on the planet and gather resources without

breathing in the poisonous fumes they have disguised themselves as Na’vi, a

blue skinned, sapien humanoid which inhabits Pandora and lives in harmony with

nature by worshipping a mother goddess known as Eywa. The duty then falls

upon an x-marine called Jake sully to befriend the Na’vi and learn more about

their culture and how they are connected to nature however as he grows more

closer to their tribe Jake then discovers the horrid truth which his superiors are

planning to do to Pandora as well as the Na’vi. In then becomes apparent that he

must befriend them not just to follow orders but also to convince them to leave

their home tree in order to survive the force of the humans.

Settings• The main surrounding of the story is

based on Pandora, the home planet

of the Na’vi. It deals with heavily

dense, alien like trees and plant life

as well as creatures which the Na’vi

either associate with or hunt for prey.

The surrounding also descends to the

skies as there are floating islands to

be seen

where specific flying species live.

Setting• On the other hand, the lab which

the humans are usually allocated

in in order to create and function

the Avatars appears very high

tech and futuristic, being able to

clearly distinguish that the

setting of this film is far into the

future from our present time.

Also how far technology has

come since then and what it now

allows us to be capable of in

terms of serving the plot of the

film.

Characters• The Na’vi – a blue skinned, sapien humanoid which inhabits

Pandora and lives in harmony with nature by worshipping a

mother goddess known as Eywa

• Human military – Humanities last hope of collecting

resources these soldiers are specially trained in order to

inhabit the body of an avatar and befriend the Na’vi,

eventually asking them to leave their home tree to gather

the resources which manifest beneath it. This characters are

mostly seen as the antagonists as they seek to destroy in

order to support themselves.

Themes

• There is no questioning that Avatar is a very powerful film both visually and mentally as it

displays hidden meanings and theme through it stunning story telling. One which stands out

the most from the rest is to respect all life. Through the entire film it is clear to see the cultural

difference between the humans and the Na’vi. One race wanting to destroy in order to survive

where as the other wanting to make peace with nature and will accept their fate if it comes to

them, knowing that everything happens for a reason. The fact that the humans destroyed the

home tree which the Na’vi lived in and the Na’vi didn’t even fight back further strengthens this

theory.

• Another theme which branches off from this is Greed being the source of destruction as the

humans crave to live longer and continue supporting themselves, forcing them to take the

resources and even life off of other planets as well as animals to fulfill this need.

• The reasons for these themes to be displayed so frequently and coherently through the film

could be to let humanity know if we would ever be forced to this point and meet life on another

planet the outcome must not finish like this otherwise it will be the destruction of both races.