“Empty your mind. Be formless, shapeless, like water. You put water in a cup, it becomes the cup… Be water, my friend.” Sequels are always hit or miss. I’m happy to report that ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ exceeded all of my expectations. It is a visually remarkable cinematic achievement. You may not consider James Cameron the king of the world but he is the ruler of the box office. The Way of Water is impressive on so many levels. It not only emphasizes the importance of family, it also shows doing the right thing for the greater good. It resonates to humanity how vital the ocean’s ecosystems are to our survival. Buckle up and enjoy a visually stunning immersive experience.
The Way of Water wastes no time picking up where the original Avatar left off. Jake (Sam Worthington) is now happily married to his wife Neytiri (Zoe Saladana). He is the patriarch of his family and the head of the Omatikaya clan. He now has four kids. Life in the jungles of Pandora is interrupted by Quaritch (Stephen Lang). He was the marine colonel killed in the first movie but is brought back to life as an Avatar. His mission is to colonize Pandora and take revenge on Jake. This leads Jake and his family to seek refuge away from Quaritch and the “Sky People.”
Jake’s family ends up among the reef clan called Metkayina. They are a green-skinned tribe coexisting with the ocean. The chief Tonowari (Cliff Curtis) and his wife, Ronal (Kate Winslet) are wary of the new arrivals but give them shelter. The chief’s teenagers show Jake’s kids how to swim, dive and bond with the animals native to the water. Jake’s kids consist of his sons Neteyam (Jamie Flatters) and Lo’ak (Britain Dalton) and daughters Tuk (Trinity Jo-Li Bliss) and Kiri (performed by Sigourney Weaver). The ocean scenes are spectacular. The director is no stranger to exploring the seas. He takes the audience on an immersive experience underwater. You immediately get Cameron’s appreciation for the beauty and fragility of the sea.
The aquatic world is simply dazzling. Cameron takes his time revealing his love of the ocean. There is an amazing scene with a whale. I’m not going to spoil it but it shows the majesty of these beautiful animals. As you watch The Way of Water, you will feel the beauty of the underwater ecosystems. Jake’s family is adapting well to their new life until those darn Sky People find out where they are hiding. The action sequences are not too overpowering. Of course the humans come after Jake with the latest military gadgets but they are literally fish out of water. The sea creatures and the reef play a key role in the third act.
Cameron is a master of storytelling. He knows how to show and not to tell. It is the difference between an engaging story and a boring one. This film clocks in at three hours and 12 minutes. I did not look at my watch one time. That’s the way I can tell a movie is good entertainment. ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ is a well-crafted film and a visual feast for the eyes. Isn’t that what brings us to the movies in the first place?
