Science Fiction and Fantasy Stack Exchange
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Questions tagged [avatar]

Use this tag for the 2009 science fiction film by James Cameron. Use [avatar-the-last-airbender] for the animated TV series.

In the year 2154, Earthlings mine a moon in the Alpha Centauri system and threaten its native population. Human controlled Avatars act as go-betweens in this visually dazzling Nature vs. Technology feature film. When Earth ruthlessly mines Pandora, an inhabited moon orbiting a gas giant in the Alpha Centuri system, Pandora fights back.

Not to be confused with .

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If the Na'vi instantly recognize the Avatars as "Sky People", what is the point of having them?

In James Cameron's Avatar, it is explained that the whole point of the Avatar program is to make it so the humans look like the Na'vi so they will trust them. Selfridge says as much: Look, you're supposed to be winning the hearts and minds of the…
Thunderforge
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Why did the mountains float in Avatar?

In the movie Avatar, the moon Pandora had floating mountains. I believe it was in an area called the flux vortex that was said to have a electrical interference. Did they ever explain or give hints as to why those mountains floated? Were they…
Joe
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Why didn't Trudy wear a breathing mask in Avatar?

In the first excursion into the jungle, only Trudy and one other soldier are in their human bodies. The soldier has a breathing mask on but Trudy doesn't. How is she able to breathe in the toxic atmosphere?
KalenGi
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Why was the name 'unobtanium' used in Avatar?

When I first heard the word "unobtanium" used in Avatar it broke the 4th wall for me because I had heard it in other contexts, generally used in a joking way and so it seemed really out of place. Was it meant to be a joke within the context of the…
StayOnTarget
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What would happen if a Na'vi got his/her braid cut off?

Very simple question, but was there an in or out of universe answer for the question; What would happen if a Na'vi got his/her braid cut off? Would they die? Would it be like having your spinal cord severed and they would become paralysed? Or would…
KyloRen
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Why is Pandora's atmosphere so toxic to humans, yet still so conducive to life?

I wasn't able to put my finger on it. Avatar wiki says: Pandora's toxic atmosphere is unbreathable by humans due to the presence of high concentrations of carbon dioxide (>18%) and hydrogen sulfide (>1%). However, entire planet seemed to be…
ertx
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In the movie Avatar, mountains were floating on their own but vehicles needed engines to fly, why?

When Quaritch organizes a pre-emptive strike against the Tree of Souls, the mountains were floating on their own while the RDA vehicles needed engines to fly, why?
user18957
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Are the Na'vi mammals?

In AVATAR the Na'vi are not placental mammals and breasts were for cinematic appeal. So are the Na'vi mammals at all?
Jeffrywith1e
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How did Jake Sully arrive in time?

In Avatar, Jake Sully is the paraplegic marine brother of a scientist who had been working on the Avatar program. Jake was needed as his brother had died, and only a similar genetic match would work with his brother's Avatar. My question is, how…
AncientSwordRage
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What was the objective of the ground forces in the final battle?

In the film Avatar, we see the human troops using their air superiority to good effect when they attack Home Tree. They're then challenged (in the air) by various raptors and flying creatures. At this point, they land mech-warriors and heavily…
SPQR
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Is Unobtanium an element or a compound?

Unobtanium is described as a "highly valued mineral" found on Pandora. But according to the Wikipedia, "A mineral is a naturally occurring substance that is solid and representable by a chemical formula". This description includes materials like…
sampathsris
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Are the Na'vi vegetarian?

Considering how connected the Na'vi are to everything around them, and the anguish that they suffer when something dies or is killed, are they vegetarian? While hunting appears to be a coming of age challenge, do they also eat the kill? Even if they…
coleopterist
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What are the origins of natives in Avatar movies?

What are the origins of natives in Avatar movies (long height people with tail, and blue color). Either literary/art origins, or explanations for evolving this way.
anj
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How long had the humans been on Pandora before Sully's arrival?

The journey takes close to 6 years and in the opening scene, we see that the infrastructure is huge and well established, the open pit mine is gigantic and everything on the base seems to be in order. Is there anything in the move that tells us when…
user94614
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With what Avatar has Norm Spellman logged some 400-500 hours of link time?

We're told that the Avatars "got big" on the 6-year flight to Pandora -- so they were apparently babies/larvae/whatever back home. How did Norm manage to link so many hours with an infant Avatar body?
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