An Avatar sequel, especially over a decade after the first film was released, was always a gamble. Even considering that the original became the highest grossing film of all time, there is no guarantee that lightning would strike twice. And at a reported cost of over $300 Million, not including advertising, turning a profit would not be an easy feat.
But Director James Cameron never seemed to be in it for the money. In fact, one would argue that his main driving force is finding better ways to tell his story. It should be remembered that many of the landmark films in visual effects such as The Abyss, Terminator 2, Aliens, Titanic, were all Cameron films, and each had to up the ante in technology or technique to get the story across.
It is a practice that he doesn’t seem to have given up. Avatar, the Way of Water obviously pushes the bar for visual effects much, much higher. From opening till the last shot, you are immersed in Pandora, both in the old, familiar jungle, but also in the fantastically realized oceans and archipelagos.
The Way of Water expands the world of Pandora exponentially, and does an incredible job of creating a believable alien ecosystem, with beautiful creatures and environments. Visually, it is leaps and bounds beyond the first. The water simulations are flawless and the underwater shots are nothing short of mesmerizing. You are inundated on all sides by hyper-realistic imagery of something you know for a fact doesn’t exist, but is so undeniably life-like that you that you’re ready to believe that it is out there somewhere.
It is definitely a must see in IMAX 3D, there is no better way to experience it.
But amazing visuals will only do so much. Beautiful horizons, creatures you want to reach out and touch and lush underwater environments give you nothing but an astounding tech demo if there’s no heart attached to it.
Storywise, thankfully, The Way of Water delivers as well, though maybe at not such a high bar. The movie picks up several years from when the original left off, Jake Sullly (Sam Worthingtom) is now chief of his tribe, with Zoe Saldaña’s Neytiri at his side. They have a family now, two boys, a girl and an adoptive daughter. For the fifteen years since the sky people(what they call the earthlings who came to pillage Pandora) were routed and sent home, their lives were relatively peaceful.
And then of course, the humans come back, in force. And this is where the story really takes off, as Jake and his family deal with the mindless march of human encroachment in the name of progress and the almighty dollar. Much of the focus of the story shifts to the next generation, which helps keep things interesting, as you do not really see much character progression among the adult Na’Vi. But the intricacies of adolescent relationships, rivalries, jealousies, and family dynamics all make for interesting, if not somewhat predictable viewing.
The environmental message is very much in your face, and black and white. Pretty much all humans are money-hungry opportunists with no moral compass and the Na’vi, regardless of tribe, are all nature-loving peaceful victims of progress. A bit heavy handed but after the first movie I think we all know that going into this one.
The only blemish on the otherwise amazing visuals is the frame rate. There are times when the frame rate seems to switch mid-sequence, jarring the audience out of the experience. Also when in the different frame rate the action IS smoother, but can also seem too smooth and the action loses its sense of weight.
All in all, Avatar: The Way of Water, is a little bit long at just past three hours (empty your bladders before entering the theater), but the visuals are utterly captivating and the story, while not groundbreaking, manages to broaden its scope with new locations and characters.
The Pandora Blues, the sadness and pining away for Pandora after the movie, may come around again this season. But luckily, again there is a cure. Part 3 is scheduled for 2024. It looks like we won’t have to wait another 13 years for another visit.