James Cameron’s The Way of Water is far superior to the first installment.
Thirteen years ago, Academy Award winner James Cameron introduced moviegoers to a world unlike ever seen with his 2009 epic Avatar. The visionary filmmaker returns to give audiences a brand-new cinematic journey with the highly anticipated sequel The Way of Water. Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldaña reprise their roles as Jake Sully and Neytiri.
Synopsis
This follow-up sequel tells the story of the Sully family (Jake, Neytiri, and their kids), the trouble that follows them, the lengths to keep each other safe, the battles they fight to stay alive, and the tragedies they endure.
Avatar: The Way of Water is a true “blockbuster” experience that only one other film was able to deliver this year, Top Gun: Maverick. Cameron’s follow-up to his 2009 film takes you on an immersive and spiritual journey thanks to breathtaking visuals and a compelling story.
It has been years since I experienced a 3D movie. They were always a headache and extremely gimmicky. This format was always a cash grab without delivering value to the moviegoing experience. However, James Cameron’s 3D format of Avatar provides beautiful and calming visuals that are crisp and colorful. It was more subtle than I expected, especially compared to his first film. It was nice that he reeled back the 3D to ensure it did not distract you from the film but made you feel a part of it. Many scenes in this movie are reminiscences of Cameron’s most iconic films, such as Terminator 2, Titanic, Aliens, and The Abyss.
The story may not be that original, but it is engaging and emotional. Cameron still easily makes a better film than its predecessor. I loved seeing the focus shift away from Sully and Neytiri and introduce a new younger set of protagonists while showcasing how strong a family can be together. The themes and messaging are just as important today as they were back in 2009. With a runtime of 3 hours and 10 minutes, I would keep the beverages to an extreme minimum.
Verdict
I give Avatar: The Way of Water 4.5 out of 5 stars. It will be in theaters starting December 16th, and I recommend watching it on the most oversized screen in 3D. Read more Reviews on Nerdtropolis and Subscribe to our YouTube.
Sean Tajipour
Sean Tajipour is the Founder and Editor of Nerdtropolis and the host of the Moviegoers Society Podcast. He is also a member of the Critics Choice Association. You can follow on Twitter and Instagram @Seantaj.