Avatar – I wanted to love it…but I just didn’t.

I used to be able to enjoy a movie for nothing more than its graphics. As a writer who uses TV and Movies to study story structure, I just can’t do that anymore. If I could, then I’d be able to hear all the rave reviews online and from friends, go watch a movie and love it as much as they did.

There was so much hype, I thought I’d be able to with Avatar the way I loved Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, which the Spokesman summed up in three words: Dark, Haunting and Beautiful. A description that applied to the scenery, the plot and the characterization.

Or The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, which swept me up and took me away to a different land with different people and histories while telling a story of good over evil that is timeless and unifying. Or at least walk out of the theatre feeling I could physically accomplish anything the way I did after seeing Matrix for the first time. Underworld, all three of them, leave me caught up in the story being told, unsure exactly where it is going as there are so many options, but happy watching it unfold.

Avatar did none of that.

I loved the green, blue, purple and white gold colors that lit the screen. They are earth colors, soothing and gorgeous to my human eyes. I loved the cross between dinosaurs, animals and dragons, mixed with gothic beauty. I loved the larger, stronger bodies of the Na’Vi. Their grace and athleticism. The great tree and how they can link to their ancestors through their tails. I love the amazing plant life and the newness of Pandora. I loved the idea of this crippled ex-Marine, determined, strong-willed, independent and charming, finding a purpose and a home. As a fan of the Aliens franchise, I loved seeing Sigourney Weaver climb out of the neural-beds.

In fact, I loved it all. Like I was supposed to.

Right up until the theme buried the story, the divisive racial revision of history threw just one more dart, the characters shrank to one-dimensional, and the reinforcement of physical health, one ideal body type and athleticism over heart, mind and soul.

So, how ‘bout I take that one issue at a time?

The theme buried the story. The Na’Vi, in language, religion, attitude and way of life were obviously Native American. Okay. I am totally good with that. The language is beautiful, the religion is respectful of life and the way they lived was in tune with each other and nature. There were neat things about the Na’Vi that were different: tails, linking with the flying dragons, and…there’s a third difference, isn’t there? Hmm.

For a movie that is so new and original and different, you would think the “indigenous people” would be just as freshly created as the graphics. But, you know, universal themes and all that. They reach into the hearts of the audience and tug this way and that way, but when they get to be too much, too often, they also tug you right out of the movie. I was able to see the story over the theme right up until Jake called the people to war and they began reaching out to the other clans. The theme overpowered the characters and the story and I lost the plot.

The story became all about making sure the Native Americans triumphed this time. Excuse, me, I mean the Na’Vi. Yeah. Do I disagree with this idea? Well, kinda but not really. If someone booted me out of the home I’d held for generations because they were greedy, I’d be pissed too.

However, Native Americans and African Americans weren’t the only conquered peoples in the history of the world. Rome made it a daily practice to conquer entire nations and make their people slaves. The Monguls. England and Scotland, England and India. Normans and English. Vikings, Egyptians, really? Spaniards and Aztecs, Mayans. Germans to Jews. Even Native Americans did it to each other before the English came.

The only difference I see is that Americans are allowed to whine about it longer. But really, warts and all, I love the country I was born in. I love being an American. I love traveling freely between states to go to this conference or that event without needing to know, speak and read 15 different languages and dialects. I love our schools, our warriors, our sports, our foods, our TV shows and Movies. I love our political system that allows for disagreement and dissention and freedom of speech.

So Avatar revised history and allowed the Natives to “win”. Cool, but not the movie I thought I was going to see. Nothing in that says “Jake Sully, disabled vet, discovers a new world and a new life”. It was just one more dart of guilt to throw at everyone who has light skin. Any American who ever owned slaves, whether they treated them well or not, is long dead. Indians are not forced to remain on reservations. I’ve done enough things I regret in my 34, almost 35, years and I refuse to feel guilty over something I didn’t do and no one I know did.

The theme buried the story and revised history in a politically correct way. Yay. If I’d been planning to see Disney’s Pocahontas then it wouldn’t annoy me so much.

One dimensional characters. The scientists were scientists, the jarheads were jarheads and the businessman was a business man, only concerned with the bottom dollar. The white men were greedy and most of the white women too subservient to speak up. Only the two racial minorities in the movie, Michelle Rodriguez and one of the scientists, stood up for their beliefs.

The white man was full of evil, greed, pride, disrespect for different beliefs and rapacious of the land and nature. The indigenous people were all that was good and loving and right, even if their belief in superstitions, signs and omens leave them wide open to be tricked.

Why was the rock so valuable? Could it heal earth? Could it oxygenate Mars? Create power and energy? Save the people from the animalistic dangers in Pitch Black? Motivating the white man beyond greed would have been a good start. Not vilifying our military personnel and making grunts who followed commands so lacking in personal honor would have been great, too. Having Jake at least try to speak with the Na’Vi to head off the battle everyone could see coming at the very least could have spared the tree or ramped up tension. Instead, he was a betrayer who switched teams in the ninth inning with only one out to go and the gullible Na’Vi allowed it because he rode the unride-able dragon-dinosaur.

Oh, did I give something away? I doubt it because I could see it coming from the moment the history of the dragon-dinosaur was told. Besides, he was pretty. Black and flames, a predator of the skies. Of course he was pivotal. It was even more obvious than the red door-knob. (Which, was actually subtle enough I didn’t get it until watching the special features on 6th Sense. I was new at writing. Give me a break.)

Ok, ideal body type. Really? Super tall, wasp-thin waist, flat stomach, no boobs. Seriously, no boobs? Geez.

Physical health and athleticism over being a heart, mind and soul trapped in a wheelchair. Ok, no brainer, right? Apparently. The disabled vet gave up his life as a human being, ex-jarhead for the perfect body in the perfect society. No hesitation, no regret for what he was giving up, for losing the person he’d been. After all, who would miss being in a wheelchair?

They didn’t even have a full scene with him and Neytiri, just the “I see you” exchange of dialogue and her kissing his closed eyes when he “died”. I’d wanted her to see the man behind the Avatar and know how the Na’Vi reacted to disabled people since, of course, none of them were disabled.

I realize eventually the oxygen would have run out if he’d stayed human, but the others were doing it. It just wasn’t a satisfying ending for me. Neither was seeing the businessman hesitate or give a few sorrowful glances enough apology. Rounding up the humans and sending them home at gunpoint was ridiculous. At least keep with the bows and arrows that won against them and helicopters and robots.

Well, this is just IMHO. But, despite the upselling, I just didn’t love it.

 What. The. Hell.

I have never cried so hard for so long in my life. I sobbed through the entire thing.

I realize I just don’t like animated movies. I don’t like most cartoons. Noted exceptions: X-Men (the original), Gargoyles and Spiderman. I have always felt nausea seeing Sesame Street. Anime kills my head, though I love the end of the first episode of Inuyasha. (The girls love that show and I’ve seen more of it than I’d ever planned.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrDURPJ-OTQ

But I’ve only cried at one other cartoon movie. I walked in at the part in The Iron Giant when he’s flying through the air and says, “I’m Superman!” Insta-tears.

So Craig and his brother and his wife want to watch Up. I am not enthused. Animated. Ugh.

I missed the beginning and come in as he is kissing his wife and she’s adjusting his tie. I see his dark blond hair and glasses and squared jaw and declare, “He looks just like my brother!”

Then a few flashes of ties, their hair turns gray, they take one last walk up a hill, then she’s laying in bed with an IV and fluid pole and my brother in law laughs because their money jar is still half-full. As he explains to me, I know and feel so sick.

They never fulfilled one of their dreams and now they are old and she is dying. Sob. Tears. 10 seconds flat.

The old man wakes up in her side of the bed, the other half flat and undisturbed. He sits in his short, squarish chair which is inches away from her high-backed, winged Victorian. He spends all his time in a house surrounded by memories of her while construction crews want to take it away. He pulls out photo albums and through the movie he slowly loses all of it. The chairs. The house. The money jar. And while gaining their dream, it’s forever tarnished by the sad reality of a man they had idolized, who has become the villain.

Oh. My. God. Seriously? Saddest movie ever.

Where, oh, where have all the regencies gone? I love a good regency and now it seems they are harder to find than ever! But, if you know where to look online, you can find tons of excellent regencies.

http://www.jasminejade.com/p-7990-cotillion-christmas-spirits.aspx

One notable addition to this intriguing anthology is by Jeanne Savery. Haven’t read her in a while? She’s been here the whole time:

http://www.jasminejade.com/m-394-jeanne-savery.aspx

And if you haven’t friended her on Facebook, yet, do so now! Just  search Jeanne Savery.

This was our tree. Everyone loves it when they see it because there are so many lights it glows from the inside out. The only problem is everyone hates putting it up, except me. I just can’t do it anymore. And by everyone, I mean my lovely dh and my daughters. The daughters think it’s funny I said when Christmas comes down, they turn into raving bitches.

I’m glad they find it funny because I was teasing when I said it. But you know how things that are true hurt worse? Am I a really horrible mother? I was raised with people who love, love, love setting up Christmas. But my family doesn’t. I didn’t teach them right, or something. They love sitting among the after-effects, watching movies among the glow of multi-colored lights. But the simple thought of putting the tree together, and it’s just the tree they assure me, is enough to send them into Bitchland on the one way train, The Bitch Express.

Wow. It’s sad. And it’s made me a litter sadder each year. So, this year, we are trying something new. Craig and I bought a living tree. We will plant it in the yard come this spring. It smells like pine, which I’ve been searching for just the right candle, incense, Bath & Body spray and sent everyone into allergy fits for.

Which is why this is the first year we’ve had a real tree. I’ve always heard of the mess and how they die and they can be so expensive and the allergies and blah, blah, blah. I grew up with fake trees so having one didn’t bother me.

But we are all excited about this newer, smaller, pine smelling, living tree. With the parallel bars in the living room, we needed smaller. And Craig and I are going to do our best with the lights to make it glow. And we’re working hard to learn how to grow things.

The best thing has to be the excitement they feel now at the thought of putting up Christmas. Me, I’m cautiously hopeful. I loved our tree. I hate change. But at least I have this picture. And the living room smells like real pine.

Merry Christmas to me! I am so excited. Talk about a present. Traci E. Hall is showing off her new adult romance, the sequel to Love’s Magic, Beauty’s Curse:

Traci E. Hall will be at Aunties Bookstore in downtown Spokane, Dec. 2 at 7 pm. Yay!

I love the description on her page: www.traciehall.com 

“Beauty’s Curse is out – go to www.amazon.com to order your copy today!!!

I am so in love with this book. It felt like forever since Love’s Magic last June, and to read about Galiana was like visiting with a friend. If you’ve read Love’s Magic, then you know that Gali is Celestia’s younger, perfect and all things ravishing, sister. She got the legs, the hair, the eyes – but she didn’t get a stitch of magic.

How can a girl not be a little bitter, right? Well, men drop to their knees at the flutter of her eyelashes, but it leaves her cold – so who, I asked, would be the perfect hero for our darling magic-less Galiana?

A hard knight – no, a beautiful as sin man – wait – a blind spy – one who she personally wounded and can’t heal? Yeah. So Lord Rourke Wallis was born – Gali’s soul mate. After the guilt settles, they find themselves irresistibly drawn to one another – but both are lying through their perfect teeth as they try to win in the game of intrigue. Their romance is a comedy of errors as they blunder through murder and mystery to find the Breath of Merlin – a magical stone that can create a king. England’s throne is a tad wobbly, and Gali is surprised to learn that Rourke himself has a stake in the matter.

Four hundred pages later, lol, they find happy ever after and save England.

Romantic Times gave it four stars, Booklist loved it – but I’m curious what you guys think! Let me know, and I’ll put your review on the site…”

And her young adult novels look so awesome! Written as Traci Hall without the E.: www.tracihall.com