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AVATAR: Our Pandora can be found in Yellowstone, Yosemite and in your own backyard.

The other night I went to the movie AVATAR with an open mind. However, I did not expect to be moved by the movie and its meaningful message and analogies that we sportsmen and woman can relate to with respect for wildlife and conservation. Aside from the obvious correlation to the movie Dances with Wolves or Titanic. For me, I walked away from AVATAR in awe after over two hours of the most visually stunning movie I have seen in some time if not ever. 3D in an IMAX theatre was a treat. Definitely an action packed event worth watching on the big screen. The dialogue and story might not live up to the visual effects for some and for others it wont matter.

Avatar takes place on the alien world of Pandora where the Resources Development Administration (RDA) a quasi non-governmental corporation has been drilling and mining for unobtainium, a highly sought-after mineral found only on the planet. To Parker Selfridge (Giovanni Ribisi), the head of operations on the planet, the natives, called the Nav’vi, are interfering more and more with the highly lucrative mining efforts. Because of the hostilities, gung ho marines have been brought in to help quell the violence. Except they are not merely there to keep the peace, the armed forces stationed on Pandora are there to uproot the natives so that a large mineral deposit, located under the home of the Nav’vi, can be extracted. James Cameron’s message here is one you can conclude on your own.

Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), a paraplegic Marine wounded in a battle on Earth, arrives on Pandora to replace his scientist brother who had been killed before he finished his avatar project on the planet. Avatars are basically test-tube Nav’vi fused with human DNA used for gathering specimens from the planet. The program is run by Dr. Grace Augustine (Sigourney Weaver). The avatars are mindless and are controlled via telekinesis from human operators at the RDA base camp. Jake was hired to control his brother’s avatar since they have similar DNA. However, thanks to Jake’s background as a one tough Marine, he is quickly recruited by the head of security, Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang) to relay information to him and his squad so they can exploit the tribe’s weaknesses if a war is engaged. Jake is on board.

Yet when Jake’s avatar is separated from the group during a routine science expedition, he is saved from a quick death by Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), the daughter of the tribes rulers. After some initial skepticism, Jake is invited to learn the ways of the tribe. His increasing closeness and eventual love for Neytiri makes Jake go native just like Dances with Wolves and second guess, not only his personal intentions, but that of the corporation.

The Na’vi survive on this planet by knowing it well as did our own Native American Indians, living in harmony with nature, and being wise about the creatures they share with. Like them, they tame another species to carry them around–not horses, but flying dragon-like creatures.

The obvious left approach with liberal environmental issues, anti “militarism and corporate abuses will give the conservatives no problem in tearing this movie up but for us outdoor enthusiast and avid sportsman there is true meaning in many of James Camroon messages.

The opening scene when Jake is saved by Nevitri from the alien looking wolf pack was very powerful and the unnecessary loss of life message hit a chord with me. Dont get me wrong, if I was confronted by a predator or a human intent on doing me harm I would have no problem pulling out my S&W 357 to save me or my family. The point in the movie was with Jake stepping into something without knowing the consequences of his actions that is where the problem lies. It is like going to a zoo, hoping the fence and ending up in the bear enclosure and someone has to shoot the bear to save your life.

The environmental issues come down to our efforts for all sportsman as it relates to conservation. The beauty of the movie was in the amazing special effects and one only needs to go to Yellowstone National park, Yosemite or the Grand Canyon to see the same beauty with our own eyes and the creatures that inhabit those areas. Our Pandora. The loss of habitat happens daily right here in our backyards and all over America and by donating to such groups as the RMEF or Ducks Unlimited or the Nature Conservancy we can truly make a difference. Sportsman are the first line of defense and by buying hunting and fishing license we play a huge part in protecting our wildlife and environment as well as protecting our national heritage and the right to bear arms. As an avid archer I took great pleasure in watching the skill of the Navyi as they were able to move through their forest, the respect for life after taking the life of an animal, the bond they had with there dragons and mutant horses and especially with the skill of the bow and arrow and the accuracy and lethality of this primal weapon. The predator and prey relationship has been around since the beginning of time and as we look into the future we can see it will always be apart of us. I can’t wait to go back and watch the movie again.

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Chris Burget