"Avatar" Passes $1 Billion Global Box Office Figure As Escapism Increases

The global gross ticket sales for the film “Avatar” passed $1 billion this weekend, which makes it the third-highest grossing movie in history. “Avatar” was directed by James Cameron, who also directed the No.1 grossing movie in history–“Titanic” which has brought in $1.8 billion since it was released.

The Internet Movie Database describes the film’s plot “A paraplegic marine dispatched to the moon Pandora on a unique mission becomes torn between following his orders and protecting the world he feels is his home.” That hardly seems to be a formula for a blockbuster film. But, The 2 hour, 40 minute film was made by spending tens of millions of dollars on special effects.

The recession has forced many people to forego holiday vacations and even modestly priced gifts. Consumer spending is likely to stay low as unemployment remains above 10%, or 17% if people who are no longer looking for work or are working part-time but would like to work full-time are accounted for.

A ticket to “Avatar” costs $9, and perhaps less outside the big cities. It is hard to find much in the entertainment world that costs just over $3 an hour once free TV is put aside.

“Avatar” may not even be a good film. It got mixed reviews. That does not seem to matter to people with credit card balances that they cannot pay and mortgages that eat up most of their income each month. There are no home loans on Pandora.

Douglas A. McIntyre