Movie Review - Avatar: The Way of Water

 

Better late than never, as they say. So it feels like a very long time since we were last in Pandora and although the first film was lacking in story, it was a visual spectacle that really demonstrated what 3D could do and the advances in technology too. A decade and a bit later, we finally get the first of 4-5 sequels, with the plan being for one to be released every other year with something else filling up that gap. Also in that time, Disney bought Fox's entertainment assets and I got to say, I'm kind of glad that they see this franchise as one that people will pay money to see on the big screen, than on a little screen for Disney+. It has a pretty generic title for a sequel, so my hope for this is that it's actually good and lives up to the title, as generic as it is. Let's go:

12 years have passed since former human turned Na'vi Jake Sully (reprised by Sam Worthington) repelled the human invasion of Pandora at the hands of the Resources Development Administration. Living as the chief of the Omaticaya clan, he spends much of his time leading his family unit into fending off hostile humans associated with the RDA. But matters are soon made worse when it's revealed that Earth is dying and those humans who died in the battles from 12 years ago, have returned as Na'vi like beings known as Recombinants. Among them is Miles Quaritch (reprised by Stephen Lang) who, in his new form (though he only has memories of his human self apart from his death), is hell-bent on getting revenge on Sully and does so, which causes Sully's family to move towards a water tribe. Lessons will be learnt and enemies will fight once more as everybody learns the way of water.

Visually stunning and immersive like the first one in every way. But much like the first one, its story is pretty standard and character development is OK for the most part. Acting is good, like the first, and while I found some of the new characters a little annoying, they eventually win me over. But a few stereotypes are picked up later on, and other stuff too. Bottom line, worth the wait. But hoping the sequels will work better on the story and other stuff. Dazzling visuals are not the only thing out there that a film needs. 7/10