Originally the word “avatar” meant the earthly appearance or embodiment or incarnation of a Hindu god.

Then it came to be used for an electronic image that represents and is manipulated by a computer-game player.

Now there’s a film called “Avatar” — which some claim to be a quantum leap forward in Cinema.

Is it?

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While one reviewer calls it “a cultural milestone”, another labels it “uniquely awful . . .  the worst movie I have ever seen”.

All of which tells you it is probably about average.

Its “M” rating assures us that there will be unnecessary nudity, stomach-turning violence and, of course, the irreverent use of the names of God and Jesus Christ.

People who seem to be white Anglo-Saxon protestants – and if this film has a message at all, it is that we should loathe white Anglo-Saxons —  are the enemies whom we are to despise, because they plan to loot and exploit planet Pandora in the same way whites have done and do on earth. Ho hum.

The violence and the semi-human spooks are nightmare material for children. Believe me, no little kid seeing this film will ever forget it. Somewhere in his brain he will not be the same. But does anybody care?

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Many people are going to see this film, and more will.

Why? Because they are bored out of their minds, and it numbs the pain for a while to witness, and be entertained by, irreverence against something . . . anything.

They also like inventive animation.

If this society of ours had any respect, nobody would attend — simply because of the blasphemy alone.

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