Avatar: The Way of Water – Film Review

Would it really be a James Cameron sequel if he didn’t up the ante in every single way possible? The short answer to that question is a resounding no. Ever since the dawn of sequels, everyone has always had this mantra that sequels simply cannot be better than the original. It just doesn’t happen, right?

Well, not in James Cameron’s eyes.

When he makes a sequel, you can rest assured that it’s going to be something truly special and something drastically different than the first while also retaining that wonder that made the first so great. His latest film, Avatar: The Way of Water, serves as a sequel to 2009’s Avatar, which is the highest-grossing film of all time. So, you know, no pressure.

But somehow, just like he always manages to do, Cameron pulled it off. The Way of Water is a breathtaking and extremely bold sequel that dares to take risks in practically every scene. There’s not a single moment in this movie in which the story feels like it’s by the book. It’s a massive, daring sequel that pushes the boundaries as to what can be real and what can’t.

Who says Pandora isn’t real? The visual effects on display here may be the best ever put to screen. This lush world has never looked more beautiful, and the crazy thing is that it never once even looks like a fictional place. It looks like a vibrant, living world that has living beings inhabiting it.

All of this is further accentuated by state-of-the-art 3D which came as a shock to me since it’s usually a gimmick. But in this instance, you definitely need to seek out an IMAX 3D theatre because it’s truly breathtaking in every sense of the word. You’ll find yourself in a state of utter wonder. Watching The Way of Water is almost like the feeling of being a kid in a candy store.

But this movie isn’t all visuals and no substance. Cameron’s script that he penned alongside Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver is brimming with grand ideas and touches upon themes such as the conflict between modern humans and nature, imperialism, racism, militarism, patriotism, corporate greed, property rights, spirituality, and religion. All of that in a sci-fi movie is rare and yet The Way of Water has all of that and more.

And despite being well over three hours long, it’s a film that never feels like it wastes any screen time. There really aren’t any scenes in the film that could’ve been removed to make it a better story. Don’t get me wrong- the running time is long and you definitely feel it as the film progresses, but it’s certainly a story that’s worth sitting down for.

It was also wonderful to get to focus on a new set of characters this time around. Jake Sully and Neytiri are barely in the movie believe it or not, with the film instead focusing on their children. The true standout here is Sigourney Weaver in the role of Kiri, Jake and Neytiri’s adopted teenage daughter.

She is honestly the beating heart of this crazy, zigzagging journey. She’s the glue that holds everything together, and it’s hard not to fall in love with her character as the film progresses. Stephen Lang is also fantastic in the role of Colonel Miles Quaritch, who’s somehow ten times scarier here than he was in the first movie.

To be completely honest with you, this is a movie that somehow feels like it shouldn’t exist. It’s so bold and daring and it’s not the kind of movie that gets made anymore. Go out and see this film on the biggest screen possible and allow Cameron the opportunity to make the three more he desperately wants to.

Avatar: The Way of Water is a hugely daring and wonderfully breathtaking science-fiction epic that’s worth all three hours of your time. James Cameron has crafted a sequel unlike any other you’ve ever seen before.