REVIEW: Avatar: The Way of Water is a Visual and Emotional Treat
In life, there are certain phrases that we have all heard a thousand times or more. In the movie business, one of those phrases is, “never doubt James Cameron.”
Upon viewing “Avatar: The Way of Water” in IMAX-3D for the first time, I believe people all over the world will come to understand why that phrase exists.
Photo: 20TH CENTURY STUDIOS/ASSOCIATED PRESS
Simply put, James Cameron delivered and then some with this long awaited sequel to the smash hit “Avatar” (2009). “Avatar: The Way of Water” is as visually stunning as it is emotional. Yet one thing this film especially does better than the first is relies on the importance of family and “sticking together.”
From the very start of this film, you are instantly dropped into a world that makes you completely forget your surroundings. Making a film that is over three hours long is quite difficult in itself but “The Way of Water” makes the audience never want to get up. It is blockbuster cinema to the highest degree.
Source: 20th Century Studios
Although various reviews out there may have differing opinions on this films story, nobody could possibly discount the visuals. At the time of its release, “Avatar” (2009) was historic in visuals and special effects.
In many peoples eyes, it changed the movie business in what was even possible on the big screen. Somehow, someway, this film is even more stunning to look at.
In certain moments of this film, I found myself missing plot points because I couldn’t stop staring at a random Pandora fish. The underwater visuals were so realistic and clear that I truly felt I was swimming. Frankly, I have never been so transported to another world in a film before.
However, despite how much people will talk about the visuals, it was the story that won me over. The start of the film relies on some heavy exposition that explains what happened in-between the first and the second film. After all, it has been 13 years since we last traveled to Pandora.
Our main protagonists Jake Sully and Neytiri are parents now. They have two sons in Neteyam (Jamie Flatters) and Lo’ak (Britain Dalton), and a daughter named Tuk (Trinity Jo-Li).
The Sully’s also have a fourth adopted child in Kiri (Sigourney Weaver) who plays a major part in the film. Weaver is returning as a new character in this film after playing Dr. Grace in the original.
In many ways, I expected this film to take a bit longer to hit the ground running. With a three hour and ten minute run time, there was plenty of time for set up.
However it was not long before the action started and our villain (General Quaritch) was after the Sully family again. Speaking of Quaritch, he is bigger and worse than ever in this film and was absolutely one of the films standouts.
Once again Quartich and the Sky people (Humans) are back on Pandora. They are again after some of the planets resources but this time things are more personal.
The villains of the film are after blood and vengeance and will stop at nothing to go after Jake Sully. The film felt like one long chase in which the villains hunt down the protagonists.
Part of what makes this chase so entertaining though are the themes around family. While the first film centered around Jake Sully trying to find where he belonged, this film focuses on who he loves most.
He will stop at nothing to protect his love in Neytiri and their four children and this plot point is what drives the story forward.
The Sully family goes on quite the journey in this film which gives us time to spend with each of the children. While all of the children have interesting character arcs, Sigourney Weavers character Kiri is the standout of the film.
If you were to tell the average movie goer that despite Weaver being 73 years old, they probably would not have believed you. All the same, it is absolutely true and if anything, I wish we spent even more time with her.
Source: 20th Century Studios
The action in this film gets better and better as time goes on. The third act of the film is practically one giant action sequence and it keeps you at the edge of your seat the entire time.
Some outlets are even calling the fighting sequences “brutal” and in many ways that is a good way to describe them. They feel visceral and nearly haunting at moments as the audience prays for the good guys.
In short, all of this action raises the stakes and never makes the film feel overly predictable in nature. Few times in my life have I watched a film that long and never once felt “bored” or caught myself yawning. It is three hours and ten minutes of pure entertainment that deserves to be seen on the biggest screen possible.
Avatar: The Way of Water is not only a highly anticipated sequel, it is the sequel to the highest grossing film in cinema history. That simple fact comes with immense pressure and yet James Cameron has shown the world once again why he should never be doubted.
Go see this film on the biggest screen you can. Buy yourself some popcorn and get comfortable because you will not want to get up out of your seat for the entirety of the film.
This movie is a cinematic achievement and beyond being a worthy sequel, it is quite possibly a masterpiece all on its own. Congratulations to James Cameron and the entire Avatar team. They delivered and then some.
Here’s our spoiler free review on YouTube…take a look!
