An Oscar for Avatar? You can't be serious!

Published: 03 Feb 2010

An Oscar for Avatar? You can't be serious!

Jump straight into the debate

A. An Oscar for Avatar? You can't be serious!

Background

James Cameron’s Avatar is the biggest financial success in the history of cinema. Six weeks after it was first released, the sci-fi epic, set in the year 2154 when humans are mining a precious mineral ("unobtanium") on a lush moon inhabited by a blue-skinned race of humanoids called the Na’vi, has already made more money than any other film. It has taken almost $1.9bn in box-office revenue worldwide, beating Cameron’s previous box-office record holder, Titanic, into second place. Avatar, with its saga of a US Marine becoming accepted into the Na’vi tribe, and learning to live in harmony with nature, is also the most expensive film ever made, having cost more than $300m – much of the money going on spectacular 3D effects.

But although no one can argue with the money Avatar has made, a surprising range of critics – from film buffs and anti-smoking advocates to social and political conservatives, the Vatican and China – have all condemned the decisions by award bodies to laud the film. It has already won two Golden Globes, for Best Motion Picture and Best Director, as well as picking up Best Action Film in the Critics Choice awards. Now, with nine Oscar nominations, including best picture and best director, Avatar is also widely tipped to clean up at the Academy Awards. Should it?

download pdf Printer Friendly version