MOVIE REVIEW: "Avatar: The Way Of Water" And The Way of Blockbuster Sensibilities
8/12 ForReel Score | 3/5 Stars
In the world of Pandora, the Na’vi have a way of connecting with the nature around them. They use a tentacle appendage with feelers to conjoin with animals, plant life, and even higher powers, allowing them to be one with the world - both physical and metaphysical - that they are inherently in tune with.
I wish dearly that I could plug into Avatar films and the environment of Pandora in this way; to somehow plug in and feel the awe and inspiration that comes with lush, vibrant settings and a deeply immersive sensory experience. Avatar: The Way of Water exists to once again capitalize on the best cinematic technology and bring this experience to life on the big screen. For those who are able to “plug in” to this cinematic universe, director James Cameron certainly delivers a product that is visually noteworthy.
But for those like myself who need more than the visual splendor for theatrical sustenance, connecting with The Way of Water’s characters, conflicts, and crises may prove difficult, making this bright and beautiful return to Pandora ultimately lack luster.
The Way of Water picks up a number of years after the events of Avatar where the Na’vi thwarted the plans of Earth’s Resources Development Administration (RDA) to invade their homeland. Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) is now the chief of the Omaticaya clan and has a family that includes his partner Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña), their biological children Neteyam (James Flatters), Lo'ak (Britain Dalton), and Tuk (Trinity Jo-Li Bliss), and their adopted daughter Kiri (Sigourney Weaver).
However, when the RDA returns desperate to colonize Pandora as the condition of Earth deteriorates, Jake and his family become the fixation of a “recombinant” version of Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang). After successfully kidnapping the original Colonel Quaritch’s Na’vi raised son, Spider, he uses Spider’s knowledge of the land and culture to hunt down Jake and his family, who have fled their home to take shelter with the Metkayina clan. Here, they must learn the ways of this water tribe, remain in the good graces of their leader Tonowari (Cliff Curtis) and his wife Ronal (Kate Winslet), and learn as land-based outsiders to fit into this new culture that thrives in the water.
This is where the luminous visual effects shine. The Way of Water is not abashed about meandering through extensive establishing shots and sequences to showcase the amazing detail of Pandora and the Metkayina’s homeland. The detail in the character designs and settings is exquisite, and is even more remarkable with underwater sequences. The film comes with a glossy sheen to it; essentially a shinier version of what Cameron delivered 13 years ago with Avatar.
And therein lies my problem with The Way of Water; that disconnect that prevents me from being one with the film. What we have here is a sequel that, as beautiful as it may be, is more of the same…a lot more of the same. It features the same conflicts, the same action film clichés, and even the same antagonist who is literally and lazily carbon copied from the first Avatar. What’s more, the same gimmicky selling point is at the forefront of what is supposed to make The Way of Water special, with 3D and IMAX 3D formats being heavily promoted too long after the fad has already come and gone.
Similar to franchises like Transformers, Jurassic World, and the DCEU Justice League, The Way of Water positions the Avatar franchise as a blockbuster series based specifically on technical - not storytelling - prowess. This is particularly problematic when this experience is extended into a 3 hour and 15 minute endeavor; a bloated runtime that feels every bit as long as it sounds and sees the 3D pony trick overstay its welcome.
For me, The Way of Water is a film that flexes its strengths to a fault and is disappointingly skittish about adding layers and nuance to its story or characters. There is an audience for this, and I am thrilled for those who find a connection with this movie and this world. As an outsider to the clan of audiences who love and appreciate Avatar films, I have a lot of adapting to do to fit in with fans of the franchise - much like how Jake and his family had to adapt to a new clan and the proverbial way of water. It didn’t click for me with The Way of Water, but perhaps one of the next three planned installments will help me establish a better connection with this world.
Acting/Casting - 2 | Visual Effects and Editing - 2 | Story and Message - 1 | Entertainment Value - 2 | Music Score and Soundtrack - 1 | Reviewer’s Preference - 0 | What does this mean?