Avatar definitely puts ideology front and center, with its not-so-subtle allegory about colonialism and environmentalism. While the protagonist is a white outsider, the Na’vi culture is idealized, with some characters feeling more like representatives of oppressed groups than individuals. Still, there’s enough traditional narrative and actual character development to keep it from being completely overrun by messaging.

The film paints traditional military, corporate, and Western dynamics as uniformly oppressive, while showcasing tribal culture as morally superior. Masculinity is portrayed mostly through cartoonish villains, with the more positive traits reserved for the Na’vi and their harmonious ways. It’s a definite subversion, but with some nods to heroism here and there.

There’s hardly a sympathetic alternative perspective. The opposition is the stereotypical, profit-hungry bad guy, and anyone not fully on board with the Na’vi is written as a villain or clueless pawn. A bit of nuance would have gone a long way, but Avatar isn’t interested in debating its worldview.