
By “Micro-review” I mean that I am about to review approximately 1 second of the film Avatar, not that the post itself will be short.
In the single shot in question, we see a character in a mechanical robot type vehicle that has appeared throughout the movie peer in a rear view mirror at a climactic moment. This was easily my favorite moment of a very long film.
You can see in the image above the type of vehicle it was, and perhaps see the source of my delight. The domed windshield means that any mirror installed above the driver should be visible from the outside. After it appeared I spent the rest of the film trying to see if it was actually included in any further shots or if it was inserted for that shot alone as a plot device. I never did spot it again. I’m tempted to go back and rewatch the film just to see if ANY other shots in the film include a rearview mirror on that windshield.
Even if they do establish this mirror in other shots the randomness doesn’t end though. Look at this vehicle. Does it look like it will be doing much parallel parking or lane merging? Does it even have a rear window to see through? Why does it need a rearview mirror?
In this future technology is advanced enough for humans to travel to distant planets as well as interact with people’s nervous systems directly. They also make a big spectacle from the beginning of the film to show us what awesome display technology humans have. Interactive holograms and special tablets, etc.
But in their spiffy robot car, they still use rearview mirrors. My sister’s car TODAY has video cameras and a screen to watch what’s going on behind her car.
The only advancement this mirror seemed to have over a 1970s station wagon was that objects within it are NOT closer than they appear. I just wish they’d added a pair of fuzzy dice hanging from them.
I obsessed over these things more than any other part of the film. That doesn’t say much about me as a movie watcher, sure, but it is actually relevant to a greater point about the film. (Click below to read about that) Read more »