AVATAR (6) vs. STARSHIP TROOPERS (11)

VS.

PLOT - On the planet Pandora, humans (whites) are exploiting the planets resources at the expense of the natives (Indians). The scientists (liberals) have invented avatars which allow humans to make contact with the natives as natives. This causes the main character, a soldier, to develop empathy for the "enemy" and he goes native. Unfortunately for him, he has apparently picked the wrong side as the evil corporation's security force (the U.S. Army during the Indian Wars) is sent to wipe out the primitives. As you can see, the plot blends futuristic elements with a 1960s take on the conquest of the West. In spite of the heavy-handed preaching, the plot is entertaining and fulfilling. GRADE = B
"Starship Troopers" is based on the acclaimed Robert Heinlein novel. it is set on a future Earth which is a fascist state. A trio of teenage friends join the military and are engulfed in a conflict against primitive aliens called "Arachnids" or "Bugs". The Bugs retaliate against Earth colonizing efforts on their turf and war breaks out. The Mobile Infantry is tasked with taking the fight to the Bug planet. The movie follows two main character arcs: Rico is in the infantry and his girlfriend Carmen is a spaceship pilot in the fleet. There is a love quadrangle. The movie is interspersed with newsreel-like footage to emphasize the satirical theme of the movie. However, this theme is overwhelmed by the kick-ass battle scenes. The plot includes several war movie tropes, but it does not take itself seriously and is entertaining for the audience it was aimed at – males who don’t want to be intellectually challenged. GRADE = B

STRATEGY AND TACTICS - Considering the Na'vi are representing Native Americans (or any native people being exploited by a colonial power), there is a surprising lack of guerrilla tactics. They simply react to the RDA attacks. The strategy of the company is to feign interest in negotiating with the natives, but provoke an excuse to conquer. Pretty standard strategy for 19^th Century powers. The tactics the RDA use exemplify the overconfidence and scorn of the civilized army. Their assault omits surprise and is purely frontal relying on superior firepower. There is no attempt at flanking. Psychological warfare comes into play with the pre-emptive attack on the Tree of Souls. GRADE = C

ST follows your standard sci-fi war movie strategy protocol. The superior aliens can only be defeated by decapitating their "brain". In this case, the Arachnids actually have a "brain bug" that the Mobile Infantry are sent to capture. The Bugs use wave tactics. The Mobile Infantry respond similar to the way the American army responded to Chinese human wave attacks in Korea. The infantry offensive tactics are realistic, especially if you consider the Mobile Infantry to be the futuristic equivalent of the Marines. Both invasions are frontal affairs with little finesse or respect for the enemy. The enemy adjusts its tactics, but the Earthlings don't. For example, during the first invasion of the Bug Planet, the fleet is surprised by the enemy's sudden ability to bombard the fleet with plasma bursts. Incredibly, the exact same destruction occurs in the third invasion! The Mobile Infantry appear to have no reserves. There is only use of air support once, although it is very successful. The use of "nukes" is sporadic, even though they are a game-changer. Apparently, what we wanted to see was troopers blasting away at bugs with machine guns. GRADE = C

WEAPONS - The Na'vi use primitive weapons like bows and arrows. They would be totally outmatched without the help of the animal kingdom, especially a dragonesque predator. The RDA are armed with cool exoskeletons called AMP (amplified mobility platforms) equipped with 30 mm cannons. They also come with a three foot long ceramic knife. The standard firearm of their infantry is a machine gun similar to a M60. Some of the soldiers have GS-221 Bases Carbine units. There are a variety of assault aircraft. The RDA have helicopters similar to Black Hawks. They have gunships equipped with chain guns and rockets. The Dragon Assault Ship has every weapon but the kitchen sink. The infantry is assisted by land assault vehicles armed with four rotary autocannons. This is not a fair fight with the RDA having a much greater advantage than the frontier army had over the Indians in the West. Only in Hollywood could the result be reversed. The weaponry designers did a good job of futurizing current technology. GRADE = B

The Arachnids come in several varieties. Their infantry are called Warrior Bugs and are nasty suckers. Hard to kill, they use biting and stabbing as their primary weapons. The Plasma Bugs are the Bug artillery. They fire a plasma beam that can destroy even a large space warship. The Tanker Bugs are the equivalent of tanks. Their weapon is similar to a super flamethrower. The Mobile Infantry are mostly armed with the Morita Assault Rifle. Although this is supposed to be the 23^rd Century, it is not much of an improvement over current assault rifles. It fires a .303 caliber bullet and has a magazine capacity of 75. It needs it because it takes a lot of bullets to bring down one Warrior. Part of the reason is the inaccuracy of the weapon. Lacking sights, it is fired mainly from the hip. Some come with an effective shotgun add-on. No significant improvements are made to the weapon in the course of the war, even though it is not efficient in combat. The best weapon against the Bugs is the Tactical Oxygen Nuke. These nukes are low yield and give off no radiation. They can be fired from a bazooka-like launcher or tossed like a grenade. Although proven to be the best solution to the swarms of Warriors, they are used only occasionally for cinematic reasons. GRADE = C

SPECIAL EFFECTS - "Avatar" won Oscars for both Cinematography and Visual Effects. Visual Effects must have been a unanimous vote as the film is astonishing. Cameron used cutting-edge technology to create the avatars and the Na'vi. The CGI is seamless. A number of the techniques were used for the first time and the movie was responsible for the revival of 3D movies. GRADE = A+

ST was nominated for the Oscar for Special Effects (losing to "Titanic"). The film uses a combination of miniatures, animatronics, and CGI for the bugs. They are freaking amazing. The movie is more than 20 years old, but still has not been topped for depicting these type of creatures. Other than the Brain Bug, which was kind of lame. The space vehicles are standard Star Wars types. Nothing you haven't seen before. GRADE = A

ANALYSIS: Interestingly, the two movies have similar war plots. In both, Earthlings are attacking a primitive alien species on their own territory. In both cases, the losing side is actually much superior militarily. But then, this is often the case in sci-fi war movies. Neither is interested in the nuances of strategy and tactics, but since "Avatar" is intended to be a commentary on the Indian Wars, it is more realistic for its plot. "Starship Troopers" is not as deep as it tries to be snarky about fascism and militarism. This theme tends to make the military aspects of the film a bit cartoonish. It is a fun movie, if you like combat porn. However, as a war movie, "Avatar" is superior.

AVATAR = 33
STARSHIP = 31