Plot
In 2154, the RDA corporation is mining Pandora, a lush, Earth-like moon
of the planet Polyphemus, in the Alpha Centauri star system. Parker Selfridge
(Giovanni Ribisi) heads the mining operation, which employs Marines for
security. The corporation intends to exploit Pandora's reserves of a valuable
mineral called unobtanium. Pandora is inhabited by the Na'vi, a ten-foot-tall
blue-skinned species of sapient humanoids. The Na'vi live in harmony with
nature, worshiping a mother goddess called Eywa.
Pandora's atmosphere is toxic to humans, forcing them to use breathing
masks. Attempting to improve relations with the natives and learn about
Pandora's biology, scientists grow Na'vi-human hybrids called avatars,
controlled by genetically matched, mentally linked humans. Jake Sully
(Sam Worthington), a paraplegic former Marine, replaces his murdered twin
brother, a scientist trained to be an avatar operator. Dr. Grace Augustine
(Sigourney Weaver), head of the Avatar Program, considers Sully an inadequate
replacement for his brother and assigns him as a bodyguard.
In their avatar forms, Augustine, biologist Norm Spellman (Joel David
Moore) and Jake leave the base to take biological samples and reestablish
peaceful relations with the Na'vi. A predator attacks them and Jake becomes
separated and lost. Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), a female Na'vi, rescues him,
bringing him to Hometree, which is inhabited by her clan, the Omaticaya.
Neytiri's mother Mo'at (C. C. H. Pounder), the clan's shaman, shows interest
in the warrior "Dream-walker" and instructs her daughter to
teach Jake their ways. Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang), leader of
the security forces, enlists Jake to bring him intelligence about the
natives that could help RDA convince the Na'vi to leave Hometree so the
company can mine the unobtanium that lies beneath it. He promises Jake
that he will help him obtain the treatment needed to restore his legs.
Jake delivers information to Quaritch, but Augustine becomes suspicious
and relocates herself, Jake and Norm to a remote outpost with avatar link
units. Over three months, Jake grows close to Neytiri and the Omaticaya,
eventually rejecting RDA's agenda. He is initiated into the Omaticaya,
and he and Neytiri choose each other as mates. Jake reveals his change
of allegiance when he disables a bulldozer as it destroys the tribe's
Tree of Voices. Quaritch presents Selfridge with Jake's video diary, in
which Jake admits that the Omaticaya will never abandon Hometree. Selfridge
orders Hometree destroyed.
Augustine argues that the destruction of Hometree could affect the bio-botanical
neural network that Pandoran organisms are connected to, and Selfridge
gives Jake and Augustine one hour to convince the Na'vi to leave Hometree.
Jake reveals his original mission to the Omaticaya, and Neytiri accuses
him of betrayal. Jake and Augustine's avatars are taken captive. Quaritch's
forces destroy Hometree, killing Neytiri's father, the clan chief Eytucan
(Wes Studi), and many others. Jake, Augustine and Norm are imprisoned.
Trudy Chacón (Michelle Rodriguez), a security force pilot disgusted
with Quaritch's methods, breaks them out and flies them to the outpost,
which they relocate. During the escape Quaritch shoots Augustine, seriously
wounding her.
To regain the Omaticaya's trust, Jake tames a Toruk, a powerful flying
beast that only five Na'vi have ever tamed. Jake finds the Omaticaya at
the sacred Tree of Souls and pleads with Mo'at to heal Augustine. The
clan attempts to transfer Grace from her dying human body into her avatar
with the aid of the Tree, but she succumbs to her injuries before the
transfer is complete. Mo'at declares that "she is with Eywa now".
With the assistance of Neytiri and Tsu'Tey (Laz Alonso), the new leader
of the Omaticaya, Jake assembles over two thousand Na'vi to repel the
humans. Jake prays to Eywa, via neural connection to the Tree of Souls,
to intercede on behalf of the Na'vi in the coming battle. Quaritch notes
the mobilization of the Na'vi clans and convinces Selfridge to authorize
a preemptive strike on the Tree of Souls. Because it is a center of Na'vi
religion and culture, its destruction would leave the Na'vi too demoralized
to resist further encroachment.
As the security forces attack, the Na'vi retaliate but suffer heavy casualties,
including Tsu'Tey and Trudy. Suddenly, the Pandoran wildlife joins the
attack on the corporation's forces, overwhelming them, an event Neytiri
interprets as Eywa answering Jake's prayer. Jake destroys the bomber before
it can reach the Tree of Souls. Quaritch finds the avatar link unit where
Jake's human body is located and attacks it, exposing Jake to Pandora's
atmosphere. Neytiri kills Quaritch and saves Jake. With the attack repelled,
Neytiri and Jake reaffirm their love as she sees his human body for the
first time.
Selfridge and the remaining corporate personnel are expelled from Pandora,
while Jake, Norm, and other scientists are allowed to remain. Jake is
seen wearing the insignia of the Omaticaya leader. The clan performs the
ritual that permanently transfers Jake from his human body into his Na'vi
avatar.
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