Mockingjays are a wild bird that became a symbol of rebellion against the order of the Capitol of Panem. Scientists created Jabberjays, a species designed to quietly record human conversation and used them to spy on insurgents. The project failed when they were used to feed misinformation back to the Capitol and the birds were left to die but instead bred with Mockingbirds to create Mockingjays – birds who can perfectly mimic human song. Their survival became a reminder of the failure of the Capitol and a symbol of hope.
I’ve been watching the Hunger Games films again – man, those films are good!!
Known as Skimwings, these powerful creatures are used as mounts by warriors of the Metkayina Na’vi. Moving at speed in the water, these creatures have wings that allow them to skim above the water or take flight fully, giving their riders an advantage in combat as they can attack from any angle.
I couldn’t resist doing another Avatar one, these creatures were so cool!!
Ilu are an aquatic species commonly found in the shallow waters of Pandora. Their wide bodies have large fins that allow them to move nimbly through the water while their long necks give them good visibility with their four eyes.
Ilu have a calm temperament and are easily domesticated. Bonding with an Ilu is regarded as essential for survival by the Metkayina Na’vi
There were a lot if fun species in Avatar 2 so I may continue posting them for a while!!
The Na’vi are the predominant sentient life on Pandora. Towering over humans, they have slender frames, tails and skin in blue or green shades. They are physically powerful and agile and are fierce combatants when defending their home.
While to humans they appear primitive, relying on simple weaponry and employing minimal technology, they arehighly sophisticatedbeings who choose to live in harmony with their world which they are able to connect to as part of a living network they call Eywa.
Emerging from their heads are their queue, neural bonds which allow them to connect to Eywa and also to bond with other life on the planet, quickly forming attachments to the beasts which they can then rude, moving as one.
Na’vi appear to adapt to their environment as the ocean-dwelling tribes have limbs and tails that are adapted for movement underwater
Returning to Pandora is a great reminder of the spectacle a true cinema experience.
What’s it about?
Jake Sully lives in Harmony with the N’avi of Pandora and has raised a family of his own among them, living in harmony with their world. But when humans return to Pandora he realises they want revenge on him so he relocated his family to a remote ocean tribe to keep them safe. The family struggle but begin to adjust to their new life but a relentless hunter is not far behind.
Worth watching?
I was very skeptical when the Avatar sequels were announced but this film really delivered and set up enough that I’d definitely watch another installment.
But this absolutely turned me around. The visuals continue to be stunning and I still consider it the only franchise worth watching in 3D as the jungles (and oceans) of Pandora really work with that added sense of depth and clarity.
But beyond that it is just a good movie! The story isn’t groundbreaking or even terribly original but it’s good to watch. There aren’t any shocking twists but at the same time nothing felt predictable and it was a very satisfying watch. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a film like this that is fun to watch purely as a great cinema experience.
Cool Stuff
Metkayina
The Metkayina are one of many ocean-dwelling tribes of Na’vi. They have adapted to their environment with stronger tails and webbed hands to aid swimming and have bonded with the aquatic life there.
Tulkun
Tulkun are sentient whale-like creatures with an enormous capacity for reason and emotion. Because of this, most of their kind refuse any form of violence – even when humans start hunting them for the precious fluid in their brains that can prevent aging in humans.
S-76 SeaDragon
This large ocean-going vessel was primarily used for hunting Tulkun but was coopted for the hunt for Jake Sully. It is a large carrier equipped with hunting boats, submersibles and aircraft to scout its prey and provide protection
I caught up on the second Black Panther movie. Short version – it’s not as good as
Recommended Viewing
Black Panther is clearly a no-brainer for this movie and it never gets old! The Falcon and the Winter Soldier introduced Valentina and gave more insight into the operations of the Dora Milaje. What If? has no story relevance but it was the last time we heard Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa so it would be a poignant time to watch his episode
What’s it about?
Wakanda is a nation in mourning following the loss of T’Challa. In addition to increasing pressure from nations jealous of their vibranium technology, a new threat arises as another vibranium-rich nation offers Wakanda an ultimatum: join them in their war against the surface – or be the first casualties.
Worth watching?
Yes, I’d say so. The MCU has been a rollercoaster in terms of quality lately but this one was definitely on the upward curve. It was definitely a fitting tribute to Boseman and the theme of dealing with grief was well handled.
While the action was great, I must admit it didn’t put me on the edge of my seat. I don’t know if it’s Marvel fatigue but it didn’t awe me. Don’t get me wrong it wasn’t bad or boring and the only criticism I’m leveling is it’s slightly less amazing than the first Black Panther film… which is hardly an insult!
One thing that took me out of the film was having Shuri be the new Black Panther. I have no problem with her taking the role – and her journey was great to watch – but she was the obvious choice so keeping it a mystery in marketing was just confusing. I found myself hoping they would do something unexpected like make it Nakiya or Ramonda, both of whom would have been amazing!
With all that said it’s still a great Marvel film and I would definitely watch it again and I’m looking forward to the characters’ next adventures!!
Cool Stuff
Namor
The leader of the Talokanil (I’ve done a separate post on them HERE) – he is a mutant with superhuman abilities beyond those of his people, giving him the ability to breath out of water and fly with the aid of wings on his feet. He is also incredibly strong and is revered by the Talokanil who follow him without question.
Midnight Angels
The Midnight Angels are a division of the Dora Milaje equipped with powered flight and combat suits designed by Shuri
These large mammals are native to the snow planet Hoth, where they use their white fur to blend into their surroundings and hunt their prey. When they catch a Tauntaun or other creature they drag them to their cave and freeze them to the roof until they are ready to feast. When the Rebellion set up base on Hoth both they and the invading Imperials had encounters with Wampas who found their way into the base.
The Talokanil are descended from humans but their physiology was radically and permanently altered when they ingested a vibranium-rich plant. The plant gave them superhuman strength and resilience but also altered their breathing so they could only survive underwater. They eventually developed masks to allow them to breath on the surface but their bodies turned blue when exposed to air – the only exception being their leader Namor who had a mutant gene which allowed him to fly and breath in both worlds.
Hating the surface world, the Talokanil planned to wage war on them but were brought to a standstill by the Wakandans.
Wakanda Forever was a really cool movie!!
They built a vast and hidden civilization beneath the sea..
One of a number of blue-skinned races in the galaxy these humanoids are strong and have a fierce reputation. The Ravager Yondu Udonta was a Centaurian, though he had little to do with his people after his parents sold him into slavery
I just watched the Holiday Special – I was gonna do Mantis but then I realised this is probably the last Yondu content we’ll get so she can wait!!!
Kubaz are an insectoid species found throughout the galaxy. They have long snouts which they use to forage for food. The conditions on their homeworld mean they need to cover their eyes and snouts on most worlds. Some Kubaz were known to be informants for the Empire though others fought their oppression.
I loved spotting a Kubaz in the crowd on Ferrix in the Andor finale!
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