James Cameron avatar bears an uncanny resemblance to the 2003 Edward Zwick film, The Last Samurai. Although avatar has elements that distinguish it from other films, it is difficult to deny that it is thematically and narratively similar to The Last Samurai. The fact that avatar is the highest-grossing film of all time is a testament to how its world-building and visual effects make it a groundbreaking film. However, it is clear that avatar utilizes several tropes that have been seen in other projects – including The Last Samurai.
Given avatarsimilarities with The Last Samuraiit was only a matter of time before Cameron was accused of copying the film. Cameron denied these accusations and claims to have had the idea of avatar long before the films were released, he would have copied (via Insider). It is worth noting that The Last Samurai isn’t the only film Cameron has been accused of imitating. Dances with wolves and FernGully are also eerily similar to Cameron’s masterpiece. However, avatar feels like a mash-up of several films that share similarities when it comes to themes, characters, and narrative, but The Last Samurai stands out.
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Jake and Nathan have similar stories
Jake and Nathan were ex-soldiers
The Last Samurai sees Nathan Algren, a down-on-his-luck ex-soldier who fought against Native Americans during the American Indian War, join a samurai village. Similarly, avatarThe main character of Jake Sully, was a former Marine who immersed himself in a different culture. In both avatar and The Last SamuraiThe two main protagonists are initially rejected by the people of the foreign territories they enter, but are later respected and accepted as one of their own.
Although the two main characters of avatar and The Last Samurai have several similarities, the way their stories were executed is different. Nathan was haunted by the role he played in the Native American massacre, while Jake didn’t seem to feel any guilt about his past. The protagonists also have different personalities. Tom Cruise’s Nathan Algren has a calm demeanor, while Jake is more extroverted and not afraid to break rules.
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Jake’s reason for being on Pandora mirrors Nathan’s reason for being in Japan
Nathan and Jake were in their respective foreign territories out of convenience
Another thing that Cameron seems to have copied from Zwick’s film is Jake’s reason for being on Pandora. In The Last SamuraiNathan was assigned to Japan to train Imperial soldiers. He took the job because he needed money. On the other hand, Jake went to Pandora because he had nothing going on in his life and needed something new. Both Jake and Nathan accepted assignments in their respective foreign territories out of convenience, as well as believing in what they were sent to do there.
Jake and Nathan having similar reasons for taking on their tasks worked brilliantly in avatar because it later became important to Jake’s character growth when he changed the way he viewed the planet. If Jake had voluntarily gone to Pandora, then avatar It would have essentially been a different movie, as its strongest plot point is how Pandora and the Omaticaya changed Jake, despite him going there out of convenience.
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Jake and Nathan learned the cultures of the worlds they joined
Jake and Nathan have embraced their new lifestyle
After being captured by the samurai, Nathan began to learn their way of life. He adopted everything from their language to their samurai customs and bushido code, which eventually led to him being known as one of their own. While on Pandora, Jake also immersed himself in his new culture. Although he initially struggled to adapt, Jake not only learned the Na’vi’ way of life, but also managed to become an excellent hunter and have his own Ikran. He even performed the ritual that made him an Omaticaya and claimed Neytiri as his mate.
It was essential for Jake to embrace his new culture, as it not only proved to the Na’vi that he was on Pandora to learn their ways, but also showed how seeing a different culture up close impacted his life. Embracing his new culture also made it easier for Jake to have a romantic relationship with Neytiri, as they had fewer obstacles to overcome. If Jake hadn’t learned to love and embrace his new culture, the fact that he was willing to risk his life to save his people wouldn’t have been convincing.
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Tsu’tey and Jake’s relationship mirrors Nathan and Ujio’s relationship
Tsu’tey and Jake had a contentious relationship
Although Jake and Nathan are the most similar characters, Tsu’tey from avatar and Ujio de The Last Samurai they also have some things in common. When Nathan was in the samurai village, Ujio seemed to like him less and took longer to accept him as one of his own. The same thing applies to Tsu’tey. Although other Pandora characters accepted Jake, Tsu’tey disliked him and viewed him as an outsider, even after becoming Omaticaya.
It’s fitting that Nathan and Jake had characters who disliked them more than the rest of the group. If they had been accepted too easily and not fought for their place in the new culture, they would not have seen things from a different perspective. In The Last SamuraiUjio loved his culture and saw Nathan’s immersion in it as an invasion. To Tsu’tey, Jake represented everything he hated about humanity because of what they did to Pandora. It didn’t help that Jake ended up mating with Neytiri, who was promised to Tsu’tey.
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Avatar and the Last Samurai tell very similar love stories
Jake and Neytiri’s romance started in a similar way to Nathan and Taka’s relationship
Nathan and Taka The Last SamuraiJake’s romance story is very similar to how Jake and Neytiri became a couple. Taka was tasked with nursing Nathan back to health after he was injured in battle. After spending some time together, Nathan began to appreciate Taka’s discipline and devotion to his people, which eventually caused him to fall in love with her. Likewise, Neytiri was assigned to teach Jake the ways of the Omaticaya. It was through these interactions and lessons that the two fell in love and became companions.
Stories in which the main characters adopt a new culture often have love at the center. If it wasn’t for Neytiri showing Jake Pandora and her culture, he wouldn’t have been able to appreciate it. Likewise, Taka played an active role in how Nathan viewed the samurai way of life. While avatar There are many things that make it such a great film, having a romance that blossomed despite the characters being from different worlds was crucial to making it a success.
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Avatar and the Last Samurai Uses the White Savior Trope
Avatar and the Last Samurai are criticized for the same thing
The White Savior trope is another thing that avatar and The Last Samurai have in common. Both Nathan and Jake are portrayed as Caucasian heroes who come in and save the non-white characters. Pandora and Japan are seen through the eyes of Jake and Nathan, rather than the people the films are centered around. The fact that it was Jake and Nathan who explained their newfound cultures led to some of the biggest criticisms of both films.
The White Savior trope is something that both The Last Samurai and avatar were heavily criticized. As The Last Samuraithe story of the Na’vi is told through Jake’s interpretation. It’s true that the execution of the White Savior trope in both films is different, but the message is essentially the same. Although Jake and Nathan ended up saving the people in their adopted culture, the fact remains that they participated in the conflict they were fighting against.
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Avatar and The Last Samurai Main Characters Betrayed Their Own People
Jake and Nathan changed their minds
Seeing that Jake and Nathan chose to adopt a new culture and remain in their foreign territories, it was clear that they would betray the people who sent them there. After realizing that it was wrong to exterminate the samurai, Nathan decided to fight against Omura and his soldiers. Likewise, Jake witnessed the damage that mining Unobtanium would cause to Pandora’s land and its people, so he changed his mind and defied his orders.
Making Jake betray his people was an important part avatar. This represented the growth of his character and the fact that he understood that what humans wanted to do was wrong. Although Jake initially didn’t care about his mission and was only doing it for his own benefit, his betrayal and risk to his life proved that he grew to love the Omaticaya. Jake’s betrayal was also significant because it spoke to how important it is to fight against tyrants who would erase a group of people because of what they would gain from it.
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Jake and Nathan used their battle experience to help the army in their adopted culture
Jake and Nathan’s tactical experience was essential in winning the fight against their enemies
Jake and Nathan were seasoned soldiers with plenty of battle experience. After betraying the people they served, both characters used their knowledge and skills on the battlefield to help their new allies fight their enemies. Jake and Nathan had the advantage of knowing their enemies’ weakest points. Due to their tactical experiences, the main protagonists of the avatar and The Last Samurai he ended up defeating the people who were a threat to his new culture.
It was essential for the main character in avatar have a battle experience in the same way as The Last SamuraiThat’s what Nathan did, because it made it more believable when he prevailed against his enemies. If Cameron’s main character was just a normal guy, victory against his enemies would have been a little unrealistic. If it weren’t for Jake’s tactical expertise, the people on Na’vi would not only have lost their lives, but also the spiritual connection they had with their planet. More avatar The films are scheduled to be released in the next few years, so the question still remains as to whether they will bear any similarities to other films.
Source: Insider