Avatar: The Way of Water ★★★★½ - Movie review

In 2009, Avatar became one of the most successful films of all time. Director James Cameron and 20th Century Studios immediately announced a sequel. 13 years later, it’s finally here. The bar is set high for Avatar: The Way of Water, but Cameron has pulled it off. This second installment, with its new themes, storylines, and stunning visual effects, is a pleasure to watch. The long wait has been more than worth it!

Much has happened in Pandora over the past years after the Sky People (humans) were defeated by the Na’vi. Jake Sully has chosen to live in his avatar on Pandora. He now has three children with his Na’vi wife and an adopted daughter of Grace (Sigourney Weaver). It’s the Sully family that takes center stage in Avatar: The Way of Water.

Unfortunately, the Sky People don’t let it rest. They return quickly and set their sights on Jake Sully and his family. In an effort to prevent a war, Jake and Neytiri decide to leave the forest with their family. They head to a Na’vi tribe on the other side of Pandora, a water tribe. As refugees, the Sullys try to adapt to a new culture, hoping that the Sky People won’t be able to find them.

Trailer Avatar: The Way of Water ©20th Century Studios

Visual Spectacle

It seemed impossible for a long time to replicate the huge success of Avatar. In the 13 years between the original and the sequel, the film industry has made significant advancements. 3D films are no longer innovative, and spectacular special effects are increasingly common. However, James Cameron has succeeded: this second installment excels in almost every aspect! (Working on a sequel for a long time seems to be paying off this year, after Top Gun: Maverick.)

The world of Pandora and all the creatures that inhabit it are perfect for the visual spectacle that Avatar: The Way of Water delivers. In the first part, ample time was taken to introduce the world, and the same happens here. The forest, we are familiar with by now. It’s a smart choice by Cameron and his co-writers to give the story a new setting: the water. Watching the Na’vi swim underwater in the most beautiful reefs with stunning aquatic creatures is more spectacular than you can imagine. These beautiful scenes must be seen on the biggest screen you can find!

Familiar Faces and New Faces

The cast of this second installment is largely the same. Even the actors whose characters have died can be admired once again, in a different way. Stephen Lang returns as Colonel Quaritch, but in avatar form. Sigourney Weaver’s role from the original has undergone significant changes. Grace is dead, but her mysteriously conceived daughter is not. The choice to have Weaver play a teenager is a bit strange. A younger actress would have been more logical. But who knows what kind of plot Cameron has in store for this.

For the most part, the actors are unrecognizable in their blue CGI characters. But it’s clear that Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana are back as Jake Sully and Neytiri. However, the credits also show new names. The Sully family consists of young actors taking a huge step in their young careers. But other names like Cliff Curtis and Kate Winslet also join the cast. Winslet even broke Tom Cruise’s freediving record during filming. Not everything was fake. Many scenes were actually shot underwater. And there were quite a lot of them in this film. Like the original, Cameron has found a unique way to turn an unconventional approach into a fantastic result.

Avatar: The Way of Water Reflects Reality

Family is a central theme in Avatar: The Way of Water. Jake does everything to protect his family, but the headstrong teenagers often work against him. Despite the appearance of the blue aliens, they behave just like us.

But not only is family a recognizable theme, Cameron doesn’t shy away from tackling more intense themes. The cruelty of humanity comes uncomfortably close when a Tulkun, an intelligent water creature resembling a whale, is killed. Clearly inspired by the cruel whale hunting that takes place in our world.

The fact that the Sully family seeks refuge with the water tribe hits close to home as well. As refugees, they must find their way among a group of Na’vi who would rather not have them there. Although Avatar falls within the science fiction genre, it is also a reflection of reality. Even more so than the original, which focused on humanity as conquerors of land.

This will undoubtedly continue in the sequel. Yes, Avatar 3 has already been announced! This time, there probably won’t be a 13-year gap. Most of the film has already been shot. The plan to release it in December 2024 will likely be achieved. Until then, it’s not a punishment to watch Avatar: The Way of Water again.