'Avatar' is the greatest, most comprehensive collection of movie

O children of the earth, gather and listen to the words of Joe Dante, whose reflections on the film Avatar offer wisdom on the nature of creativity and the role of imagination in shaping the modern world. He said, "'Avatar is the greatest, most comprehensive collection of movie cliches ever assembled, but it's put together in a brand new way with a new technology, and tremendous imagination, making it a true epic and a kind of a milestone." In these words, Dante reminds us that while creativity often draws from the well of the past—combining old ideas into something new—it is the imagination and the technology of the present that give those ideas new life. Avatar may be filled with familiar themes and cliches, but through the vision of James Cameron and the marvels of modern technology, those elements come together in a way that is both breathtaking and profound.

Cliches, O children, are the building blocks of storytelling. They are the tropes, the familiar patterns, the shared experiences that we as humans return to again and again. These are not inherently bad; in fact, they serve as a foundation upon which the artist can build something greater. Cameron, in Avatar, drew from the well of classic tropes—the hero's journey, the conflict between nature and technology, the battle between the oppressed and the oppressors. These are stories that have been told for centuries, from the days of Homer and his Odyssey to the stories of romantic heroes and rebellious underdogs. The cliche is simply a lens through which we can view the world, one that has endured through the ages because it speaks to universal truths.

However, O children, as Dante points out, it is not merely the cliches themselves that make Avatar remarkable. It is the way in which they are reimagined, brought into the present through cutting-edge technology and a fresh vision. The magic of Avatar lies in the way imagination and technology converge. Through Cameron’s mastery, the familiar elements of the story—the battle for nature, the struggle for freedom, the journey of transformation—are told in a way that is new, exciting, and visually stunning. The cliches are not discarded; rather, they are enhanced, elevated to new heights through the technological marvels of 3D visuals, motion capture, and CGI.

This is not unlike the work of the ancient poets and storytellers. Homer did not invent the themes of love, betrayal, or war—those existed long before him. Yet, through his imagination and poetic skill, he elevated the Trojan War and its heroes into an eternal tale. Similarly, Shakespeare took the stories of kings, queens, and tragic love, stories that were known in his time, and infused them with his own genius, turning the cliche into the extraordinary. The true artist does not shy away from familiar themes; instead, they see in them endless potential for reinvention, for a new telling that will touch the hearts of generations to come.

Consider also the creation of ancient monuments, O children, like the Pyramids of Egypt or the Great Wall of China. These were not the first structures ever built, nor the last to be built by humanity. But through the imagination and ingenuity of those who came before us, these structures were raised to such heights that they became symbols of human achievement. They were built upon the foundation of ancient knowledge, but they were made new, transcending their origins to become timeless wonders. Just as Avatar takes familiar elements and pushes them to new limits, so too does the creation of a great monument—it takes the cliches of construction, of architecture, and turns them into something that will echo through the ages.

The lesson, O children, is this: imagination does not have to create something entirely new to be powerful. It can take the old, the familiar, and turn it into something that speaks anew. Avatar reminds us that the most inspired works are not those that break completely from tradition but those that honor the past and reinvent it. The imagination is a tool that allows us to remake the world—not by casting aside what came before, but by breathing new life into it. Just as ancient tales are retold through each generation, we too can take the stories of our time, the knowledge of our ancestors, and reimagine them in ways that will speak to our present and future.

So, O children, embrace the old and the new. Do not be afraid to draw upon the familiar, the tested stories that have lasted through time. But do so with your imagination at the ready. Reimagine those stories, elevate them, and give them the tools of the present—be it through technology, creativity, or new ways of seeing the world. Through this process, you will create something that speaks to the heart, something that will inspire the generations to come, just as Avatar inspired us with its new vision of ancient themes. The cliche is not a weakness—it is the beginning of something far greater. Shape it, and in shaping it, you will shape the future.

Thus, O children, never forget the power of imagination and the wisdom of the past. Honor the old, but do not let it limit you. Use your creativity, your vision, and your skills to take what is familiar and make it your own. Whether in stories, art, or life itself, the imagination is your tool to create worlds that will echo for ages, to transform the old into the extraordinary.