In Avatar: The Way Of Water, James Cameron shifts his gaze from Pandora’s forests to its seas. In the 2009 original film, former marine Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) shed his human form to become one with the Na’vi and join his mate, Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), in the fight to save the land and its people. They’ve settled down and started a family, but as the saying goes, peace never lasts long. The Sullys’ world is attacked once again and Jake has to reunite to keep his family safe after all this time.
James introduces us to the world and the years that have passed as he rapidly plunges us back into Pandora. Old enemies resurface, few friends are still around, and a new generation is just starting to emerge. The kids of Jake and Neytiri are just as adventurous and driven as their parents are as they bumble into new adventures, this time under the water. In The Way of Water, we learn about the Metkayina, a new Na’vi clan headed by Tonowari (Cliff Curtis) and his wife Ronal (Kate Winslet).
Changing gears from the floating mountains and dense woods, the Metkayina way of life is peaceful and provides a haven for the Sully family. The “refugees” are reminded by a new, young figure that “the course of the water has no beginning or end.” They must learn this lesson as the story progresses, just as Jake did in the first movie when he discovered the interconnectedness of all living things. If one has not seen the first movie, the introduction of both old and new characters can be a little overwhelming because the plot builds to a huge unavoidable confrontation.
The Way Of Water’s underwater scenes are breathtaking and alone are worth the price of the admission ticket, and the wonder on the Sully family’s faces as they experience this new paradise mirrors our own awe. The music by James Horner enhances the emotive scenes.
After about halfway through, the film begins to say what it wants to say. Jake has no choice but to face the impending battle, even though his children’s safety is at stake. Old threats from the Sky people resurface as they continue to plunder Pandora’s natural resources. In the previous film, it was the mineral unobtainium and now, it is another antidote for the human race.
This time around, the motion capture performances and other visual effects are much smoother and more true to life. Sam and Zoe keep the film grounded with their continued intensity, while their younger son Lo’ak (Britain Dalton), another intriguing new character, chafes under the pressures placed on him. Sigourney Weaver reprises her role as Jake and Neytiri’s adopted daughter Kiri, who is riddled with new mysteries. There is so much more to be explored with her connection to the world of the ‘aliens’ and Na’vi. However, that could be for a future film in the franchise.
The computer-generated environments look incredibly real, thanks to the numerous technological advances that have occurred in the 13 years since the film’s initial release in 2009. The 3D also has more detail woven in, both above and underground, and is not overly detailed. It’s something that can only be seen on the big screen. The Way of Water’s finale is grand, messy, and emotional, with several echoes of James’s own Titanic (1997) and its warm, emotional ending. However, the 192-minute running time isn’t much of a factor here. The action keeps you glued to the screen, while the screenplay by James, Rick Jaffa, and Amanda Silver establishes scenarios that could propel the franchise forward.
I Must say this movie has brought back the life of the theatre. A passionate director who knows just how to blend action and emotion for a fun movie experience has created the beautiful spectacle known as Avatar: The Way Of Water.
Avoid missing it, Watch Trailer:
The Starcast of the Film listed:
- Sam Worthington … Jake
- Zoe Saldana … Neytiri (as Zoe Saldaña)
- Sigourney Weaver … Kiri
- Stephen Lang … Quaritch
- Kate Winslet … Ronal
- Cliff Curtis … Tonowari
- Joel David Moore … Norm
- CCH Pounder … Mo’at
- Edie Falco … General Ardmore
- Brendan Cowell … Scoresby
- Jemaine Clement … Dr. Garvin
- Jamie Flatters … Neteyam
- Britain Dalton … Lo’ak
- Trinity Jo-Li Bliss … Tuk
- Jack Champion … Spider
- Bailey Bass … Tsireya
- Filip Geljo … Aonung
- Duane Evans Jr. … Rotxo
- Giovanni Ribisi … Selfridge
- Dileep Rao … Max Patel
- Matt Gerald … Recom Wainfleet
- Robert Okumu … Ta’unui Olecthan
- Jennifer Stafford … Ta’unui Tsahik
- Keston John … Tarsem
- Kevin Dorman … Recom Mansk
- Alicia Vela-Bailey … Recom Zdinarsik
- Sean Anthony Moran … Recom Fike
- Andrew Arrabito … Recom Prager
- Johnny Alexander … Recom Ja
- Kim Do … Recom Zhang
- Victor Lopez … Recom Lopez
- Maria Walker … Recom Walker
- Phil Brown … Stringer
- Jocelyn Christian … Bio Lab Tech
- Joel Tobeck … Neuroscientist
- Moana Ete … Female Med-Tech
- Phil Peleton … Male Med-Tech
- Jamie Landau … Metkayina Warrior
- Jim Moore … Mako Sub #1 Pilot
- Benjamin Hoetjes … Mako Sub #1 Gunner
- Nikita Tu-Bryant … Mako Sub #2 Pilot
- Anthony Ahern … Mako Sub #2 Gunner
- Shane Rangi … Matador Co-Pilot
- Rick Lucas … Kestrel Pilot
- Tanya Drewery … Neurotech #1
- Ava Diakhaby … Neurotech #2
- Isaac Te Rina … Sea Dragon First Mate
- Eric Farmer … Crabsuit Pilot
- Philip Mtambo … Skel Trooper
- Daniel Lough … Spider Double
- Cruz Moir … Young Spider
- Alex Lucas … Toddler Spider
- Scarlett Fernandez … Young Kiri
- Chloe Coleman … Young Lo’ak
- Jeremy Irwin … Young Neteyam
