Avatar

[Justy Me]

Just curious....Has anyone seen it? I haven't. I have been under the impression that the wheelchair user in the film was a "normal" representation of someone who just happens to be a wheelchair user ( as in not centered around finding a cure or making the character look like an object of pity). But I have heard recently that it, yet again makes us look as though we all sit ( pun intended haha) and wait for the day when we will walk...Just wondering if I should bother watching it since I'm not big on sci fi.

[LillyPie]

I like it. I thought it was a pretty good story. From what I recall the character in a wheelchair was a soldier and thats how he lost his ability to walk. So for his character it makes more sense for him to want to walk again. The fact that he uses a wheelchair doesnt stop him from doing anything and he doesnt pitty himslef either. And I didnt get the sense that the other characters were pittying him. If you watch it let me know what you think.

Jenn

[angel]

We went to see that movie 3 times in the theater and then bought it when it came out on DVD. I am not big into sci fi either but that was a really good movie.
The guy in the wheelchair there was no pitty at all. He was your regular guy who had an accident and wasn't able to walk anymore. There was no pitiful aspect to it at all. He was still tough still the best choice the wheelchair wasn't an issue. Of course once he got to walk in the avitar body he was excited to be able to run again etc.... I think that is true to real life as anyone would be curious to try out a new body. Espically someone who had been able to do all those things before. I am very critical of how the disabled population is portrayed in movies, tv and media and i thought they did a fantastic job on this movie.
I recomend seeing it!
Angel

[Gymp]

Ah...yep,I've watched it a few times myself and really liked it.Very well done I thought,the computer animation throughout the film was fantastic!(I'm an artsy fartsy kinda guy)

I felt the lead actor in the wheelchair wasn't depicted as someone to pity,I thought he was more or less just a regular army guy who happened to be in a wheelchair.

You may like the film Justy,I say give it a watch!

Gymp

[Lifeisgood]

Yup! I agree with the gang. Definitely a flick worth seeing. Enjoy!

[misty]

I liked it! I didn't feel any pity was shown toward the guy in the chair. He seemed like a regular guy who happened to have a set of wheels. My only complaint is that the guy in the movie was not a real paraplegic. I've seen him in other stuff and he walks. I wish they'd start using real disabled actors for those types of characters. Outside of that, great movie!

[Justy Me]

I liked it! . My only complaint is that the guy in the movie was not a real paraplegic. I've seen him in other stuff and he walks. I wish they'd start using real disabled actors for those types of characters. Outside of that, great movie!

That would be my only complaint as well, without having seen it yet. I started getting heated reading various reviews online but there were others that made me think differently. Like what has been said here, that a person who was in an accident midlife would have different feelings and a slightly different mindset about getting the chance to walk again, as opposed to those of us who are used to it as it's all we know. It would be nice to have a wheelchair user truly be a character who just happens to be a wheelchair user, though, and not have it constantly be an extended "very special episode" of sorts, you know? Nonetheless I am thinking I will go ahead and watch it....I hear it looks AMAZING on blu ray. Thanks for all the input guys!!!!

[Dodger67]

Here's a selection of material covering the topic of Disability in the media - I used them on Wikipedia some time ago.

http://www.mediaed.org.uk/posted_documents/DisabilityinMedia.htm (http://www.mediaed.org.uk/posted_documents/DisabilityinMedia.htm)
http://www.mediaanddisability.org/ (http://www.mediaanddisability.org/)
http://www.media-disability.net/ (http://www.media-disability.net/)
http://www.disabilityworld.org/April-May2000/Media/MediaUK.htm (http://www.disabilityworld.org/April-May2000/Media/MediaUK.htm)
http://www.outside-centre.com/darke/mycv/writings/bookchap/Colin%20Barnes.html (http://www.outside-centre.com/darke/mycv/writings/bookchap/Colin%20Barnes.html)
http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/issues/stereotyping/persons_with_disabilities/disabilities_concerns.cfm (http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/issues/stereotyping/persons_with_disabilities/disabilities_concerns.cfm)
http://pages.towson.edu/bhalle/dis-hist.html (http://pages.towson.edu/bhalle/dis-hist.html)
http://www.media-disability.org/ (http://www.media-disability.org/)
http://pages.towson.edu/bhalle/disable.html (http://pages.towson.edu/bhalle/disable.html)
http://www.disabilityhistory.org/dwa/edge/curriculum/cult_contenta1.htm (http://www.disabilityhistory.org/dwa/edge/curriculum/cult_contenta1.htm)
http://www.eaca.be/speechespresentations/detail.asp?sap=3 (http://www.eaca.be/speechespresentations/detail.asp?sap=3)
http://www.upne.com/1-58465-473-2.html (http://www.upne.com/1-58465-473-2.html)
http://www.wid.org/publications/mass-media-and-disability (http://www.wid.org/publications/mass-media-and-disability)
http://disabilitymedia.ning.com/ (http://disabilitymedia.ning.com/)
http://www.cjc-online.ca/index.php/journal/article/viewArticle/718/624 (http://www.cjc-online.ca/index.php/journal/article/viewArticle/718/624)

Just a little light reading!:sign0020:

[Justy Me]

Just a little light reading!:sign0020:

HA!! lol thank you I'll talk to you all next Tuesday when I'm done! lol no thank you that was cool of you to provide those :)

[Lifeisgood]

I think that for this movie, because the character is able to walk as his avatar, they could not use a disabled actor. I think (and could totally be wrong, so do not shoot me down if I am) that they actually filmed the avatar parts of the actor wearing some funky suit which allowed the animation to become more realistic. So if they had used a disabled actor, the avatar would have been disabled as well.

[Justy Me]

I think that for this movie, because the character is able to walk as his avatar, they could not use a disabled actor. I think (and could totally be wrong, so do not shoot me down if I am) that they actually filmed the avatar parts of the actor wearing some funky suit which allowed the animation to become more realistic. So if they had used a disabled actor, the avatar would have been disabled as well.

Okay I see what your saying so in this particular role it may not have been feasible....I'll remember that before I watch it thank you :)

[misty]

Could they have used an able bodied actor to do the walking parts?

[Lifeisgood]

I don't think so. It would be too difficult to match the characteristics, voice, mannerisms, etc. One of the beauties of the movie is that you can "see" the character in the avatar. I think it would have lost a lot if they used different actors.