'Avatar: The Way of Water' Review: A Welcome Return To Pandora
More than a decade later, audiences will finally be able to take a trip back to pandora in avatar: The Way of water, a visually dazzling and emotionally compelling sequel that is certainly worth the wait.
After the ground-breaking 2009 original, director James Cameron returns with Avatar: The Way of Water, which continues the story of Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), who has not only fully become a Na’vi, but has also started a family with his love Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) as he continues to wage war against the humans determined to vanquish his people and overtake Pandora. In addition to Worthington and Saldana, the film boasts returning stars Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, and Joel David Moore, with new additions including the likes of Kate Winslet, Cliff Curtis, Edie Falco, Jemaine Clement, Jamie Flatters, Britain Dalton, Trinity Jo-Li Bliss and Jack Champion.
It should come as no surprise that this sequel looks absolutely stunning. Familiar characters and landscapes look as striking as ever, now more detailed and vibrant. The new locations, including the underwater environments are jaw-dropping, showcasing beautifully designed and fully realized ocean life. Cameron and his visual effects team have done a truly masterful job at blurring the line between what is practical and what is purely CGI. In short, Pandora and its inhabitants have never looked better, the visual effects truly some of the best put to screen, especially in the 3D format.
The motion capture work is especially impressive in this sequel, facial movements appearing more naturalistic and nuanced, in addition to the eyes appearing far more expressive and emotive here. It also helps these characters are portrayed by a talented cast, Saldana and Worthington turning in fantastic work here. Saldana remains magnetic and heartbreaking, while Worthington is far stronger here compared to the first film, more secure and confident in the role as he showcases an emotional evolution for Sully. Winslet and Curtis also turn in great performances here as the leaders of a water clan of Na’vi Sully and his family take shelter with. Their dynamic, in addition to their interactions with Jake and Neytiri, are some of the strongest moments in the sequel.
Cameron also proves yet again that he’s one of the best blockbuster filmmakers in the business, delivering some truly spectacular and highly immersive action set pieces that dazzle and thrill in equal measure. This is a sequel that contains far more action than its predecessor with action sequences that feel far more distinctive and less repetitive. The climactic set piece of the film is blockbuster filmmaking firing on all cylinders, Cameron staging and filming the visceral violence with a deft, steady hand and unique flare only he can deliver.
However, where this film soars is in its character work, a refreshing change of pace compared to the original film where the main characters felt one-dimensional at best. The audience is able to spend a considerable amount of time with Jake, Neytiri, and their children, each of whom have colorful personalties and thoughtful arcs. The Sully family dynamic is the beating heart of the film, delivering the emotional component that its predecessor lacked and sorely needed. The original film had audiences fall in love with Pandora, but this sequel will let them fall in love with the Sully family.
This follow-up unfortunately isn’t without its flaws. One of the main criticisms of the original film was how its narrative was far from original, borrowing from various other films like Dances With Wolves and Pocahontas. The main issue with the narrative in this sequel is that it essentially feels like a carbon copy of the first film. Jake once again crosses paths with a new tribe, humans are still at war with the inhabitants of Pandora, another extremely rare substance is being mined, and Sully is facing off against Lang’s Colonel Quaritch for a second time, the latter now with his consciousness implanted into a Na’vi body after meeting his end in the first film. It feels as if the same plot points and beats are being covered here, albeit with different characters and locations. The plot remains thin, which is true disservice to the rich, detailed lore surrounding Pandora and its people that has been established thus far.
Avatar: The Way of Water will not only remind audiences why the original was the most financially successful film of all time, but it also manages to enrich and develop the world of Pandora and its fascinating characters in new, exciting ways that make the thought of future sequels enticing rather than worrisome. Pandora looks and feels as breathtaking as ever, Cameron pushing his impressive visual effects even further to wonderfully dizzying degrees. Its story may feel familiar, but this world and these characters have never felt more original.