“Avatar” has been described as a lot of things — a “game changer” and a “sci-fi epic” among them. In many interviews director James Cameron has described “Avatar,” which opens Dec. 18, in terms of other epic movies, saying it’s like “Dances With Wolves” in space or like “The Matrix.” After watching the trailer, it brings to mind some other high-profile projects of recent years. Take a look at these similarities.
‘Lost’ (2004-present)
The “Avatar” trailer begins with an extreme close-up shot of Jake Sully (played by Sam Worthington) suddenly opening his eyes. An arresting visual, no? It’s so interesting that ABC’s “Lost” (left) has used it to open at least three season premieres.
‘Aliens’ (1986)
Obviously, there’s going to be some crossover with “Aliens” (left), written and directed by Cameron, but soldiers fighting an alien species with loss of firepower that may not do any good ) and the pull-down apparatus in “Avatar” are evocative.
‘Return of the Jedi’ (1983)
Parts of the forest scenes brought back images of the struggles with the rebellion, the Empire and the tiny-but-mighty Ewoks on the forest moon of Endor (right). But Endor is so iconic, anything green and forestlike from another planet will do that.
‘Grave of the Fireflies’ (1988)
Nothing creates a sense of wonder like getting covered in glowing bugs. Cameron knows it, and so does anime director Isao Takahata, who directed the animated classic “Grave of the Fireflies.”
‘The Phantom Menace’ (1999)
Throughout the trailer, blue aliens are seen with skin texture and bone structure a little too similar to Jar Jar Binks, one of the most despised sci-fi characters of all time. Let’s hope the aliens in “Avatar” know when to shut it, unlike young Anakin Skywalker’s infamous friend Jar Jar.
‘Braveheart’ (1995) or ‘The Lord of the Rings’ (2001)
What good is an epic without a foreheads-together, hands-on-the-shoulder, look-deep-into-my-eyes pause for love? “The Lord of the Rings” and “Braveheart” excelled at these heartfelt moments, and “Avatar” doesn’t look as if it’s going to disappoint. We can already hear the giant orchestra’s strings swelling in the background.
‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ (1968)
Or maybe 1994’s “Stargate,” for the less highbrow. Either way, the festival of sound and light that apparently heralds Sully’s entry into his avatar is quite reminiscent of astronaut Dave Bowman’s journey into the black monolith at the end of Stanley Kubrick’s sci-fi classic.
‘Star Wars: Clone Wars’
Some images of the ships and the aerial fighting in “Avatar” seem pretty George Lucas-like, except without the “Clone Wars” lightsabers or Stormtroopers.
‘Dark Crystal’ (1982)
From the looks of the trailer, “Avatar’s” Sully wouldn’t get very far in the land of Pandora without the help of his girlfriend, Neytiri (played by Zoe Saldana). Cut to the “Dark Crystal’s” Jen and his encounter with another Gelfling — Kira (left). She helped him navigate the new terrain, introduced him to her family (the Podlings) and showed courage at every turn.
