One of my sons saw Avatar yesterday. His friends wanted to see it and he thought it would at least be a good sci fi story. He is able to suspend disbelief and get into a movie. He said, "it sucked", and that the reason is the bombardment of the movie’s message.
I contend:
1) Cameron deliberately made this film a propaganda vehicle.
2) His doing so screws up the movie.
3) People are receiving the anti American message he is pushing.
To be fair, I have not seen this movie. I prefer to avoid supporting such efforts with my money. I am basing this on the reviews I have read, both positive and negative, and the comments of those who have seen it.
As Mr. Silverback has pointed out, media can be used to move sentiments toward good goals or bad. Uncle Tom's Cabin is an excellent example of what could be left handedly described as "good propaganda". The same can be said for the obvious pro war movies and news reels from the 40s.
Our children are bombarded with anti western and anti American messages in all forms of media and in school. In my opinion, breaking apart this assault to individual items in order to say it is no big deal is intentionally ignorant and dangerous.
If anyone wants to see a completely enjoyable and very well done "message" movie go rent Wall-E.
I missed pinging you (IggyDad) in my post 105 - and the reply was primarily for you. The two most applicable sentences are:
It is wishful and misguided thinking to conclude Cameron had no additional motive in it's construction.
and
In my opinion, breaking apart this assault to individual items in order to say it is no big deal is intentionally ignorant and dangerous.
Well put.