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In 2154, the RDA corporation is
mining Pandora, a lush, Earth-like moon of the planet Polyphemus, in the
Alpha Centauri star system. Parker Selfridge (Giovanni Ribisi) heads the
mining operation, employing marines for security. The corporation intends
to exploit Pandora's reserves of a valuable mineral called unobtanium.
Pandora is inhabited by the Na'vi, a blue-skinned species of sapient
humanoids with feline characteristics. Physically much stronger and taller
than humans, the Na'vi live in harmony with Nature, worshiping a mother
goddess called Eywa.
Pandora's atmosphere is toxic to humans, necessitating the use of
breathing masks. Attempting to improve relations with the natives and
learn about Pandora's biology, scientists grow Na'vi bodies modified with
human DNA, called avatars, that are controlled by genetically-matched,
mentally-linked human operators. Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), a
paraplegic former marine, replaces his murdered identical twin brother, a
scientist trained to be an avatar operator. Doctor Grace Augustine
(Sigourney Weaver), the head of the Avatar Program, considers Sully an
inadequate replacement for his brother and relegates him to a bodyguard
role.
In their avatar forms, Jake escorts Augustine and biologist Norm Spellman
(Joel David Moore) into the jungle on a mission to reestablish relations
with the Na'vi and end the threat of violence. A predator attacks the
group and Jake becomes separated and lost. Forced to survive the night in
Pandora's dangerous jungles, he is rescued by Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), a
female Na'vi. Neytiri brings Jake to Hometree, which is inhabited by her
clan, the Omaticaya. Mo'at (C. C. H. Pounder), a shaman and Neytiri's
mother, shows interest in the warrior "Dream-walker", and instructs her
daughter to teach Jake their ways. Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang),
leader of the security forces, enlists Jake to bring him intelligence
about the natives that could help RDA negotiate to recover the unobtanium.
He promises Jake that he will help him obtain the expensive treatment to
restore function to his legs.
At first, Jake delivers key strategic information to Quaritch. Over three
months, however, Jake grows close to Neytiri and the Omaticaya and
develops strong attachments to Pandora, eroding his loyalty to RDA's
agenda. He is initiated as a member of the Omaticaya, and he and Neytiri
choose each other as mates. Jake reveals his change of loyalty when he
disables a bulldozer as it destroys the tribe's "Tree of Voices". Quaritch
disconnects Jake from his avatar and presents Selfridge and Augustine with
a video diary in which Jake admits that the Omaticaya will never abandon
Hometree. Selfridge is convinced that negotiations will fail and orders
Hometree's destruction.
Augustine argues that the destruction of Hometree could affect the
bio-botanical neural network that all Pandoran organisms are connected to,
and Selfridge gives Jake and Augustine one hour to convince the Na'vi to
leave Hometree. When Jake reveals his original mission to the Omaticaya,
Neytiri accuses him of betraying them. Jake and Augustine's avatars are
taken captive. Quaritch's forces destroy Hometree, killing Eytucan (Wes
Studi), Neytiri's father and clan chief, and many others. Jake and
Augustine are disconnected from their avatars and detained for treason
along with Norm. Trudy Chacón (Michelle Rodriguez), a security force pilot
who is disgusted by the violence, breaks them out. During their escape,
Quaritch shoots Augustine. Hoping that the Omaticaya can help Augustine,
Jake tames a Toruk, a powerful flying beast that only five Na'vi have
tamed, to regain their trust. Jake finds the Omaticaya at the sacred Tree
of Souls and pleads with Mo'at to heal Augustine. The clan attempts to
transplant her "soul" into her avatar, but they are too late and she dies.
With the assistance of Neytiri and Tsu'Tey (Laz Alonso), the new leader of
the Omaticaya, Jake assembles thousands of Na'vi from other clans. Jake
prays to Eywa to intercede on behalf of the Na'vi in the coming battle.
Quaritch, noting the mobilization of Na'vi clans, convinces Selfridge to
authorize a preemptive strike on the Tree of Souls. Because it is a center
of Na'vi religion and culture, its destruction would leave the Na'vi too
demoralized to resist further human encroachment.
As the corporation's security forces attack, the Na'vi retaliate with a
strategic advantage but crude weapons. The Na'vi suffer heavy casualties,
among them Tsu'Tey and Trudy. Suddenly, the Pandoran wildlife joins the
attack on the corporation's forces, overwhelming them. Neytiri interprets
this as Eywa answering Jake's prayer. Jake destroys the main bomber before
it can reach the Tree of Souls. Quaritch finds the avatar interface pod
where Jake's human body is located and attacks it, exposing Jake to
Pandora's atmosphere. Neytiri kills Quaritch and saves Jake. With the
attack repelled, Neytiri and Jake reaffirm their love as she sees his
human body for the first time.
Selfridge and the remaining corporation personnel are expelled from
Pandora, while Jake, Norm, and the scientists studying Pandora are allowed
to remain. Jake is seen wearing the insignia of the Omaticaya leader. The
clan perform the ritual to permanently transfer Jake from his human body
into his Na'vi avatar with the aid of the Tree of Souls.The film ends with
Jake awakening to start his new life. |
