When Jake wakes up as his avatar for the first time after the Hometree is attacked, we are immediately argued into the position to pity and feel sorry for him. The first thing is does after he opens his eyes is cough. It is difficult for him to breathe there because of all the ash, but he was left behind by the rest of the clan to suffer on his own. The scene pans out and shows the surrounding forest which has been completely destroyed. This image reminded me of the pictures we were shown in history classes of the aftermath of the atomic bomb in Hiroshima. Not a single thing was able to live through the damage, but somehow Jake managed to survive, despite being left behind. This argues us to believe that there must be something really special about Jake for him to have survived. There are tons of clips before this that makes Jake out to be the hero, but this one goes beyond the others because he does not only have to stand up to the soldiers, but he also has to find a way for the Na’vi people to accept him once again. Jake has a monologue that plays while he is looking around where he talks about how is now a “betrayer” and an “outcast.”
The music that plays in the background also argues the audience into feeling a particular way. While Jake is taking in the destroyed forest, deep, low notes are played that sound like a person crying out from sorrow. It sounds like the forest is moaning from the pain both it and the Na’vi people went through during the attack. Then as Jake jumps onto the pterodactyl, the music changes into something that sounds inspirational. The sound gradually builds up and the notes get higher and higher. The image on screen, the monologue by Jake, and finally the soundtrack make the audience feel for Jake and want to see him succeed.
Finally, the colors used in the clip have a huge impact on the emotion the audience should feel. When Jake is surveying the destruction, everything is in black and white. Unlike the unusually colorful forest with life everywhere you look, the forest is bare. Everything is dead and gray. This adds to the feeling of gloominess that both the monologue and soundtrack portray. However, as soon as Jake jumps on the pterodactyl, all the colors appear again and gives the audience a feeling of hope. All the effects in this scene are used to draw the audience in to feel the same emotions that Jake experiences.
I agree completely with your analysis of this scene. It is a turned point in the movie and we all feel that Jake is contemplating a plan to redeem himself. We know that he is special. This scene, which is dark and hopeless, sets Jake up for a powerful comeback. This is again dislpayed through the music and the colorful scenery as me mounts the all powerful pterodoctyl. Jake must prove himself to the natives and show that he cares for them and save Pandora; we all know that this is coming. Typicial movies follow that guideline that every down has a up and the movie general ends on a up note.
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