It's been thirteen long years since James Cameron transported audiences into his sci-fi epic world of Pandora, where the Na'vi battle the human sky people to protect their world, in glorious battles that keep you on the edge of your seat. But has Cameron left it too long for audiences to care?
The sequel to one of the most successful films of all time thankfully, is not one that disappoints, and the waiting audiences and fans have had to endure has most defiantly been worth it. James Cameron and his people have been working incredibly hard these past years to develop this new film into the most dazzling, gorgeous, and emotional film, which improves upon the first entry with leaps and bounds. This year of film has seen a number of blockbuster films that are there to simply entertain and inspire wonder, and make audiences question just how they constructed these set pieces and scenes onto film. Along with Top Gun: Maverick, Avatar: The Way of Water does just that - leaving you enthralled with wonderous beauty and spectacle that will make you wish you could shoot off to Pandora and hang out with the crazy blue aliens.
With this being the first sequel in his Avatar franchise (with film three and four on the way and some parts already filmed), Cameron goes bigger and way more extravagant on almost every level and detail. Before we discuss the bonkers action that takes place, the characters of the film are perhaps the greatest asset. All of our favourites are back. Jake Sulley (Sam Worthington), Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) have now started a family and are teaching there children the ways of living on Pandora, seemingly living the best life they can. In this sequel, the audience really get to know and follow their children, who, for many audiences could be seen as annoying and unrelatable, but Cameron does a fantastic job of making these young characters relatable, funny, and grounded. Some of the best and most emotional moments in the film spring from the children of Jake and Neytiri.
The story starts off with some quite exposition heavy narration by Jake, introducing us back into this beautiful world, but the introduction of their lives and children is explored quite thrillingly. The action kicks off with the sky people returning with a vengeance in a opening sequence that could rival many major action set pieces of other films alone. This catallactic event starts our protagonists on their new dangerous journey of seeking a new home, where they discover a tribe of Na'vi who look a little different from what we have seen before. The water tribe is made up of aquatic-like looking Na'vi who take in the family and teach them the ways of the water. This is really where the film starts to become interesting as the audience along with the family, are learning new abilities and ways of living that they have never experienced before.
The conflict arises with the two sets of kids as tensions rise and they butt heads over trivial matters, and both groups must learn to work and live with each other in peace, to prepare for the bigger threat of the humans. All while this is happening, we are reunited with the villain of the first film, Colonel Quaritch (Stephen Lang) who without a doubt is my favourite character in the entire movie. This time however, he looks slightly different. Without giving too many spoilers, the Colonel has been brought back and his mind and memories placed into an avatar body. His journey in this film almost mirrors Jake's from the first, learning how to essentially be a new species, except this is the very species he despises. Stephen Lang's performance oozes evil and harshness and every time he is on screen, I was always greatly anticipating his new one lines, or what atrocities he would commit next; and trust me he commits some very barbaric and twisted acts.
We were impressed with the visuals of the fist film way back in 2009, and I am glad to say the visual spectacle in this entry tops the first and blows it out of the water (pun intended). The underwater sequences which there are many of, are beautiful, crystal clear and down right stunning to behold. Traveling through the water with the characters either swimming or on their new seal-like animal friends feels so natural.
Some may complain about the simplicity of the plot for the film, but Cameron keeps it simple and family orientated with a sprinkling of revenge from the main villain. It's a classic structure that works extremely well for the film and it isn't bogged down with today's left-wing ideology that could have turned the characters we care about into whining, unrealistic people that just take us out of the film. Like the first film, Cameron threads his political messaging about colonization and for this film, whale hunting and preserving the oceans but it doesn't feel forced or hammered into the movie; everything feels natural and fits the narrative. The only negatives I have on the film are perhaps the length. I would say maybe cut out ten to fifth-teen minutes towards the end of the film and it would be almost perfect.
From the immense action set pieces, the emotional heart of the story and characters, and the immersive visuals, James Cameron's Avatar: The Way of Water will leave you breathless, inspired, and hungry for the next film in this ginormous sci-fi epic that audiences have been longing for for years. Go see this film, you will not regret it!
Comments