James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water stars Sam Worthington as Jake Sully, Zoe Saldaña as Neytiri, Sigourney Weaver as Kiri, Stephen Lang as Colonel Miles Quaritch, Kate Winslet as Ronal, Cliff Curtis as Tonowari, Britain Dalton as Lo’ak, Jamie Flatters as Neteyam, Trinity Jo-Li Bliss as Tuktirey aka Tuk, Bailey Bass as Tsireya, Jack Champion as Spider and others. The film is a sequel to the 2009 film, Avatar.
The story is by James, Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, Josh Friedman and Shane Salerno. The screenplay is penned by Cameron, Jaffa and Silver. The cinematography is by Russell Carpenter, and the editing is done by Stephen E. Riven, David Brenner, John Refoua and James Cameron. The music is by Simon Franklin. Wētā FX has done the visual effects of the epic sci-fi film.
Avatar The Way of Water Review Contains No Spoilers
Plot Summary
Avatar 2 starts with Jake Sully and Neytiri living in Pandora with their young kids Neteyam, Lo’ak, Kiri and Tuk. After the big battle in part 1, the sky people return to Earth. However, a few good scientists and Colonel Miles’ son Spider stay behind. Jake Sully also looks after Spider, a human who learns the Na’vi way of living.
A bigger threat knocks on the door of Sully family, and they have to leave the forest to find a new, safe home. After the forest, they seek shelter amid the waters with the Metkayina. The Sullies learn the way of water while trying to keep each other safe from the enemy. Will the Colonel and his clan of Sky people find them? Will Jake and Neytiri succeed in keeping their family safe?
Avatar 2 Review: Discussion
In the 2009 Avatar film, we saw everything from the human Jake Sully’s perspective. James helped us understand the intentions of the Sky people and how they want to disrupt the Na’vi life in Pandora. The story ends with Jake and Neytiri defeating Miles. Jake becomes a Na’vi permanently to be with Neytiri and others. In the new film, the director makes sure that we are involved in every aspect of the story and every person from Jake’s family.
The first 20-30 minutes are set in the forest and have a familiar vibe (from part 1). It is set in a comfortable setting for Neytiri and her family. However, when the Sully family moves to the sea for shelter, it’s an entirely new world. The entire hour after arriving at the waters, the story flows quietly and smoothly.
One might wonder if the screenplay offers hardly anything crucial in the first hour when the Sully family leaves the forest. However, James considers us part of the tribe. We are also new to the world and culture of the Metkayina. It takes time to adapt, and he shows that shift gradually. It feels fascinating, overwhelming and exciting. Seeing Jake and his kids learn about Metkayina culture feels like a beautiful experience. The captivating visuals make it even more worth watching.
Everything that Jake and his family learned in the first half becomes useful in the second half of Avatar: The Way of Water. It is more fast-paced, and the battle shifts from land to water. The underwater fight sequences are choreographed and shot brilliantly. The Titanic director, of course, knows how to make water the best supporting actor in his stories.
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After 3 hours, one feels like they know the Na’vi better than the first part. With the sequel, we understand the connection they have with water and sea life. It metaphorically tells us about the calmness ocean brings and the destruction a foreign storm can cause.
Actor Sam Worthington yet again leaves a great impression as Jake Sully. We completely forget that Jake was once a human being. Zoe Saldana is fantastic as Neytiri in action sequences, especially when they’re mixed with anger and emotions. However, the actor had little contribution to the story in the first half. A lot of hype was created by Kate Winslet’s entry into James Cameron’s other wondrous water world as Ronal. The actor does a good job, but I wish we got to see more of her.
Jake and Neytiri’s kids, played by Sigourney Weaver, Jamie Flatters, Britain Dalton and Trinity Jo-Li Bliss, were more the focus. The actors played did a good job of getting in interested in their characters. Stephen Lang’s Colonel Miles Quaritch has become more brutal and full of vengeance. Lang succeeds in stressing us about his next deadly movie. The rest of the cast plays their part well.
In 2009, Avatar was praised for its story and visually stunning special effects. With time and technology, the team got to do much more excellent work with the visual effects. Russell Carpenter’s cinematography often enhances the beauty and effort put in to make the movie visually appealing in every frame.
Avatar: The Way of Water Review: Final Thoughts
Avatar: The Way of Water is a must-watch on the big screen. The team has presented us with a spectacle and an engaging story with so much to tell. The new film is filled with James Cameron’s picturesque imagination, compelling characters and profound emotions. One can hope the director addresses several loose ends with the third movie soon!
PS. So many ocean scenes have lured me into taking a beach vacation soon.
The film releases in cinemas on December 16, 2022. Book your tickets here.
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White people always find a way to co-opt another people’s culture even an alien one.