Avatar The Way of Water Movie Review: Visual Extravaganza

Avatar The Way of Water is the sequel to the 2009 sci fi film Avatar. This film is directed by James Cameron, and stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang among others in pivotal roles. Kate Winslet also plays a crucial role. 

At a gracious 3 hr 15 mins runtime, this film is an immersive cinematic experience, with stunning visual effects (considering only 3D because who watches Avatar in 2D anyway) and revolves around Jake Sully's efforts to protect his family from human interventions in Pandora. The film takes it's time to set the premise, and then gets going. The story in itself is quite simple, but the writing is just great. Each character has been given ample space in the film, and all the characters are written really well. Even the back drop and character sketch of a tulkun (sea species) named Payakan has been done so well, that it deserves appreciation.

Certain adaptability issues are well expressed which the Sullys face, when they were given shelter by the reef people people (who belong to Pandora's Eastern side). Both the communities face problems to adapt with each other. The Sullys should know the way of water, whereas the reef people should not discriminate against the Sullys as they have genetic human heritage (referred as demon blood). Aspects like countering racism and staying in unity alongwith some great performances from the cast with a bit of dark humour fills a substantial part of the screenplay.

Also, the director creates some small parallel plots as well, which feels good during the entire buildup and contributes hugely towards the end of the film, by blending into the screenplay at the correct places, and in the correct way. The action is stylised (as one would expect it to be) the sequences are great. Love, emotion, grief, pain (towards the end), and other emotions are well depicted in the film.

The cinematography by Russell Carpenter (same as Cameron's Titanic) is a treat to watch, and the direction is equally good. One will definitely feel the length of the film, but it's never uncomfortable or boring by any means. All in all, Avatar The Way of Water does justice to it's predecessor, and also sets the bar high for the third installment of the franchise.