Discussion Questions for Avatar

Seen the movie? Read the review. Consider the following:

• What did watching "Avatar" leave you thinking about? Discuss your first impressions here, not your considered conclusions about the film.

• On one hand "Avatar" is an other-wordly fantasy. On the other it is very much a critique of this world. Where in "Avatar" did you see criticisms of the current state of our world? Which assessments do you agree with? With which do you disagree and why?

• The central character in "Avatar" – Jake Sully – is a wheelchair-bound marine who dreams of freedom. What did freedom mean to him? How did he find it in "Avatar?"

• The technological hook on which "Avatar" hangs is the ability of human scientists to transfer one’s consciousness—memories, feelings, etc—into a different body, a body that is not human. Is this notion appealing to you? What assumptions does it make about human nature?

• The indigenous people of Pandora, the Na’vi, are presented as morally superior to their human counterparts. What makes them superior? For the Na’vi what distinguishes right and wrong?

• To the Na’vi what gives nature value? What gives nature value to "Avatar’s" humans? Biblically what gives nature value?

• Commenting on his film director James Cameron said, “I think there’s something amazingly satisfying when the hammerheads come out of the forest and start mowing down all the bad security enforcers.” Did you cheer this scene? Why or why not?

• "Avatar’s" Chief Bad Guy, the evil Col. Quaritch warned Jake Sully, “Out there, beyond that fence, every living thing that crawls, flies or squats in the mud wants to kill you and eat your eyes for jujubes.” In contrast Neytiri told him, “Our great mother Eywa does not take sides, Jake; only protects the balance of life.” In your opinion which statements fits nature better? Why?

• Discuss C. S. Lewis’ quote at the end of the review. How should the biblical promise of nature’s redemption inform our stewardship of nature now?

• If you had the privilege of watching "Avatar" with James Cameron, what questions would you want to discuss with him after the movie?