Nerds That Geek Movie Review – ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

In 2009, the world of cinema was taken by storm by a true marvel of entertainment. For this is the year that Avatar was released in theaters and well… that ambitious project, one that worked to ponder upon what other worlds and alien life might look like, and how a young and emotionally immature human race might interact with a new planet, enjoyed runaway success. To the point where it dominated the box office for weeks and months on end because fans could not believe the incredible sights that Writer/Director James Cameron had sent their way, and the film was so beloved and so successful that it remains at the top of the charts when it comes to the top grossing motion pictures of all time, and well… that kind of success absolutely warrants a sequel. 

Which of course, 20th Century Studios greenlit ages ago, but it took a good thirteen years to finally bring it to fruition. A move that of course, begs all of kinds question. Such as whether or not, a delayed sequel can keep the audience entranced by a world that is now a fond memory, and whether or not it can hold a flame to the original story and its revolutionary special effects. Well, with Avatar: The Way of Water now in theaters, the time has come for us to obtain the answers to all of those questions and it turns out… that James Cameron has done the impossible and created a motion picture that not only resurrects the awe and wonder of the original, but manages to surpass the majesty of its predecessor and wow us further with special effects that will once again revolutionize the industry.

Those are feats that this film accomplishes by offering up an ambitious plot. For when we return to Pandora in this film, enough time has passed that Jake Sully fully understands what his new life as a Na’vi entails, alongside what fatherhood does as well. For he and Neytiri have settled down and built a family, one that is extended greatly and for a time, it seems as though Jake’s life is going to be nothing but bliss to the end of his days. But the return of humanity to this paradise leads to trouble for Jake. Since man has come to claim this world as their own and the military wants Jake out of the equation. In large part, because he is leading a powerful rebellion to save Pandora from invasion but also because of the bad blood he established with the military in the first film. To the point where an elite group of soldiers are sent out to find him. Which prompts Jake and his family to retreat to the beaches and live with the water clans to try and start over. A move that will prove challenging for Jake and his family, especially when his enemies come calling once again to settle old scores. 

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Which is a plot that perfectly plunges us back into this magnificent universe. Because just like that, we are once again immersed within the majesty of Pandora and well, waiting thirteen years for a sequel, allowed for technology to improve and that in turn, allows for a more immersive experience in this world to take place. To the point where the CGI used to create the Na’vi and their world is so advanced, that at times… one cannot tell where the special effects begin or end. A surprise that is further enhanced by the stunning work that Cameron and his special effects teams put into creating the oceans of Pandora. Since the artificial water here, again, is far too real at times and that, combined with a brisk plot that wastes little time in informing us what Jake is up against, simply allows for the viewer to kick back and enjoy a beautiful ride. One that also features a great deal of meaning as well.
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For this is a story that digs deep into our relationship with our world. Something that was a focus in the first film but is further expanded upon here in a magnificent and powerful manner. To the point where the story gives one pause long after this movie has come to an end, as you ponder upon the deep concepts and ideas it presents over the course of its three-hour run time. Not to mention, there is also commentary to be found on the state of humanity, and how we must get beyond our difficulties and our differences if we ever expect to do something special as a species. Which one wouldn’t think would be featured in a story about alien life on a planet far away, but it is there, and it is poignant and powerful for certain and that makes The Way of Water a far deeper film than its predecessor. Largely because the saga is no longer trapped beneath the weight of world-building, allowing for it to be free to explore whatever it pleases.

If anything, all of the elements combine to provide viewers with a must-see experience. Because much like its predecessor, it sets the standard for special effects, and will likely influence countless films from an effects standpoint, as the original movie did, but it genuinely offers so much more. Since there is a wonderful story about family and unity to be found here, one that will in fact… move you and make you laugh and cry and leave you deep in thought when you’re not scraping your jaw off the floor over watching water that isn’t there, splash up perfectly against an alien… that really isn’t there. Making this a truly magnificent motion picture, one that will undoubtedly require multiple viewings to properly soak in the majesty and wonder, and outright awe, of a fresh look at a planet and its wonderful people, that we get to lose ourselves within once again, courtesy of a story that embodies the power of imagination.   

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