Pandora and the Navi

In this Avatar Christian Movie Review & Parent Guide, I give you the information you need before viewing this movie with your children. This film is rated PG-13 and is an intense movie with people being shot and killed.

The first time I watched Avatar (the original film), I hated it. The second time I watched it, I fell asleep. I have now watched it two more times, and I can say that it has grown on me. However, this is one of those “love it or hate it” movies.

Warning: Some flashing light sequences or patterns may affect photosensitive viewers.

Avatar Christian Review

Studio Synopsis:

Avatar takes us to the amazing world of Pandora, where a man embarks on an epic adventure, ultimately fighting to save both the people he loves and the place he now calls home. James Cameron, the Oscar-winning director of Titanic, delivers an immersive cinematic experience, where revolutionary technology meets engaging characters in a timeless emotional story.

My Synopsis:

A disabled Marine, Jake Sully, is on a mission to observe and interact with the natives of Pandora, the Na’vi, through a Na’vi avatar after his brother, Tom, is killed. Tom was a scientist, and he was selected to go to Pandora and be a part of the Avatar program.

The human scientists are trying to work to learn more about the planet and the people who live there. Jake is to make contact with the Na’vi and learn their ways with the ultimate goal of negotiating their resettlement so the humans can mine unobtanium. However, he begins to connect with the Na’vi and in particular, Neytiri (Zoe Saldana).

While, Jake comes to love the Na’vi people and begins to understand their culture and why they cannot leave the area they love, will he be able to carry out his mission? Additionally, will the Na’vi trust the Sky People?

AVATAR Christian Review What Parents Want to Know

Language:

The phrase g-dd-mn is used several times, as well as Oh my g-d.

Additional foul language includes: A-s kicking, p-ssing, p-ss, bulls-it, s-it, holy s-it, a$s, h-llhole, dumb b-stards, b-tch, son of a b-tch, limp d-ck, h-ll, screwing me, “kiss the darkest part of my lily white,” idiot, and moron.

Violence:

A man talks about his war experiences and his injuries.

A morgue is depicted, and a body bag is pulled back. A dead man is shown. They mention that he was shot and killed. The box with the body is incinerated. 

“Every living thing wants to kill you and eat your eyes.”

Furthermore, a man is chased by Pandora creatures.

A woman, Na’vi hits a man across the head.

Additionally, native people are killed as well as humans.

There are intense battle scenes with explosions, aircraft crashing and blowing up, and on-the-ground battles. People are shown with wounds and bleeding. A man stabs an animal repeatedly.

Spiritual Content:

“If there is a hell, you might want to go there for some R&R after a tour of Pandora.”

Spirits of animals

Network of energy that flows through all living things. All energy is borrowed and one day you have to give it back. 

Someone says to an animal, “Your spirit goes to Eywa, your body stays behind.”

Tree of Soul is their most sacred place. It is a place for prayers to be heard and sometimes answered.

Pagan voodoo is mentioned, as well as a mention of demons.

People pray to the Na’vi deity, Eywa.

Other Content:

A group of former marines are called “ladies” and “look at all this fresh meat” is said.

Additionally, a person is shown smoking.

Furthermore, someone says, “Don’t play with that, or you’ll go blind.”

An indigenous woman (Omaticaya) and an avatar man “mate.” 

Deception:

Jake Sully gains the trust of the Na’vi, intending to relocate the people so they can mine without problems. Additionally, Col. Miles Quaritch is the head of the bad guys in the film and will do whatever it takes, including deceiving Sully so he can continue the mining operations.

Positive Content:

Pandora is gorgeous. Furthermore, the storyline is unique and interesting.

Agenda:

This film contrasts those who seek to destroy the environment for corporate gain versus environmentalists. Furthermore, it is designed to tug at your heartstrings. However, it is over the top in its message of killing and destroying all for money.

Christian Review of Avatar

My Viewing Recommendations:

Avatar is a very slow-moving and long movie. However, I have watched it three times, and the first time I fell asleep. This movie has a long running time and is most likely too long for children. Additionally, it is a heavy movie to watch and follow, with a lot of intense action sequences. Furthermore, the violence, killing, and strong language are too much for many children. For these reasons, My age recommendation is 13 and up.

However, the movie’s special effects and technology (2009) were spectacular when it was made. The visual effects are stunning. While some of the creatures and the scenes had a very Star Wars like feel, this still isn’t a kid’s movie. I do think Star Wars would be a better choice of movies to watch for children.

About Avatar the Movie:

Rating: PG-13

Release Date: December 18, 2009

Runtime: 2 hours, 43 mins

Genre: Science Fiction

Director: James Cameron

Written by: James Cameron

Producer: James Cameron & Jon Landau

Edited by Stephen Rivkin, John Refoua, and James Cameron

Music by: James Horner

Production Companies: 20th Century Fox, Lightstorm Entertainment, Dune Entertainment, Ingenious Film Partners

Distributed by: 20th Century Fox

The Cast of Avatar:

Sam Worthington is Corporal Jake Sully

Sam Worthington is Tom Sully

Sigourney Weaver as Dr. Grace Augustine

Michelle Rodrigues as Trudy Chacon

Zoe Saldaña as Neytiri

Joel David Moore as Norm Spellman

Stephen Lang as Miles Quaritch

Laz Alonso as Tsu’tey

Wes Studi as Eytukan

CCH Pounder as Mo’at

Giovanni Ribisi as Parker Selfridge

Dileep Rao as Dr. Max Patel

Matt Gerald as Corporal Lyle Wainfleet

Peter Mensah as Horse Clan Leader

Peter Dillon as Shuttle Crew Chief

Scott Lawrence as Venture Star Crew Chief

Sean Anthony Moran as Private Fike

Kyla Warren as Na’vi Child

Kevin Dorman as Tractor Operator

Julene Renee as Troupe #2

Jacob Tomuri as Dragon Gunship Navigator

Luke Hawker as Ambient Room Tech

Sean Patrick Murphy as Shuttle Co-Pilot

Frequently Asked Questions:

Where can I watch Avatar?

Avatar is streaming on Disney+. Additionally, it can be found on Max and Hulu and rented or purchased on Amazon Prime.

Is Avatar streaming on Peacock?

No, Avatar is not streaming on Peacock. However, it can be found on Disney+.

How much did it cost to produce Avatar?

It cost $237 million to produce Avatar. It made $2.923 billion at the box office.

However, Avatar: The Way of Water was the most expensive film ever made to date. It cost $460 million which is almost double what Avatar (2009) cost.

Are there more Avatars in production?

Avatar: The Way of Water was released in 2022. Additionally, Avatar 3 is expected to come to the big screen in 2025, Avatar 4 in 2029, and Avatar 5 in 2031. 

What are they mining on the planet Pandora?

They are mining unobtainium. It is also known as Ubh-310. 

Is unobtainium real?

Aerospace engineers began using the term unobtainium when talking about costly materials. It does not exist.

Who is Sam Worthington?

The actor that plays Jake Sully was an unknown Australian actor who was selected to keep the cost down as opposed to a well-known actor. He was living in his car.

Initially, Matt Damon was offered the role with 10% of the profits because he was already doing the Bourne films.

Why was Avatar called a white savior movie?

Avatar was called a white savior movie because Jake Sully, a white man, comes in and leads the Na’vi people. 

What is the time period of the first Avatar?

The first movie is set during the mid-22nd century on Pandora. Additionally, Pandora is a habitable moon in the Alpha Centauri star system.

What are the indigenous people of Pandora called?

The native people of Pandora are from the Omaticaya Tribe.

Who is the organization trying to mine unobtainium?

The RDA is the Resources Development Administration, which is a non-government organization. It protects all products shipped or developed from Pandora and other off-Earth locations.

Where is the Planet of Pandora located?

“In the film, Pandora is depicted as being located in the Alpha Centauri A system, about 4.37 light years (276,000 AU) from Earth. It is one of the many natural satellites orbiting the gas giant Polyphemus, named for the Polyphemus of Greek mythology.” Wikipedia

Facts About Avatar:

James Cameron cited films such as Princess Mononoke for influencing the land of Pandora.

Furthermore, regarding the term Avatar, Cameron said, “it’s an incarnation of one of the Hindu gods taking a flesh form.”

Currently (as of 2023), Avatar has an 81% critics score and an 82% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Avatar: The Way of Water Review

How to Pray as a Couple