The 2000s saw significant developments in film technology and storytelling. Avatar pioneered the use of 3D in film and was inspired by earlier westerns and indigenous stories. Early 3D films in the 1950s failed but the technology advanced in the 2000s, aiding films like How to Train Your Dragon. Politics in the 2000s were turbulent, shaped by the 2000 election controversy and 9/11, which inspired films. Wars in Afghanistan and Iraq also influenced movies of the decade like The Hurt Locker. Disasters like hurricanes and the 2004 tsunami were depicted in films as well. Overall, the 2000s saw major leaps in CGI, animation, and the blockbuster format.