Over a decade after the first Avatar movie set records at the global box office, sequel Avatar: The Way of Water is about to finally hit theaters on December 16. It seems like a long time since we first met Jake Sully and Neytiri on Pandora as they fought off the moon’s human colonizing forces together, but this kind of delay is not without precedent for the film’s director James Cameron, as he had originally intended the first movie to be released back in 1999 as his next project following Titanic. However, the technology just wasn’t up to scratch for Cameron’s vision, and it would be a decade later in 2009 that Avatar arrived on screens, many of them utilizing big advances in 3D viewing.
It may be true that Avatar has made an eye-watering amount of money since its original release – almost $3 billion to date – but the long-in-development sequel has its own mountain to climb now that it’s ready to begin its box office journey. Some still aren’t sure the first movie even needed a sequel, others have lost interest in Avatar altogether, while the more die hard fans have waited a long time to see Cameron’s ideas for his Avatar franchise expanded into a fully-fledged universe. 20th Century Studios are likely also hoping that The Way of Water makes a big splash – with an estimated budget of $350–400 million, it’s one of the most expensive films ever made.
Here’s the official synopsis for the new film:
Set more than a decade after the events of the first film, Avatar: The Way of Water tells the story of the Sully family, the trouble that follows them, the lengths they go to keep each other safe, the battles they fight to stay alive, and the tragedies they endure.
And here are those early reactions to The Way of Water.
As for the story, it’s A LOT of movie & I’m eager for a 2nd viewing to revisit some details, but on 1st watch, it’s a mighty effective exploration of community & family dynamics. Returning cast is great, but the newcomers are major standouts, particularly Britain Dalton as Lo’ak. pic.twitter.com/OtZXNr6zMw
— Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) December 6, 2022
#AvatarTheWayOfWater is “more is more” writ large. It’s more beautiful, more in awe of Pandora; more vocal in its environmentalism, more damning of humans. It’s an adrenaline shot to 3D filmmaking and an uncompromising doubling down. You’d expect nothing less from Cameron.
— Tom Page (@thomas_page) December 6, 2022
Happy to say #AvatarTheWayOfWater is phenomenal! Bigger, better & more emotional than #Avatar, the film is visually breathtaking, visceral & incredibly engrossing. The story, the spectacle, the spirituality, the beauty – this is moviemaking & storytelling at its absolute finest. pic.twitter.com/RicnpDghrx
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) December 6, 2022
I was, uh, not exactly champing at the bit for an Avatar 2 (even if “James Cameron + wet” tends to work out pretty well). now I can’t *wait* to see Avatar 3. that’s basically all I wanted out of this and it delivered in a big way.
— david ehrlich (@davidehrlich) December 6, 2022
As an Avatar stan, I had high hopes for #AvatarTheWayofWater and for me it totally delivers. Sure it’s a little long, but worth it for the gorgeous visuals, wonderful new characters. A total thrill.
— Kara Warner (@karawarner) December 6, 2022
Avatar: The Way of Water is an EPIC, STUNNING, CINEMATIC ADVENTURE. It delivers on both action & heart while giving fans an intriguing story that feels earned & warranted. Never doubt James Cameron. Biggest issue: feels like a stepping stone for what’s next.#AvatarTheWayofWater pic.twitter.com/dQBEfBkN7z
— Tessa Smith – Mama’s Geeky (@MamasGeeky) December 6, 2022
#AvatarTheWayOfWater pushes CGI to new places and uses the word “family” more than any F&F movie. While some of the new characters are underutilized, Pandora is miraculously realised, the underwater stuff glorious, and the final third is full of incredible action – see in IMAX!
— jack shepherd (@JackJShepherd) December 6, 2022
Someone texted me, “what’s the most visually impressive part of the movie?” And I responded, “The whole thing honestly.”
— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) December 6, 2022
Avatar: The Way Of Water is a silly, soggy, motion-smoothed epic of solemnity without a single interesting visual image
— Peter Bradshaw (@PeterBradshaw1) December 6, 2022
I was blown away by the sheer scale of #AvatarTheWayOfWater, which fulfils every mad promise its creators have made about cinematic innovation. Underwater stuff, especially, is mind-blowing. But it’s also huge, epic filmmaking of the kind that has become Cameron’s trademark. pic.twitter.com/vdRbL4ZSXf
— Tom Beasley (@TomJBeasley) December 6, 2022
James Cameron’s #AvatarTheWayOfWater is a monumental filmmaking achievement striking a great balance between technical & emotional. The 48fps 3D experience features some of the most jaw-dropping immersion I’ve ever seen. Felt like a kid again watching T2 for 1st time. Astounding. pic.twitter.com/cfiMADJzU4
— Kevin McCarthy (@KevinMcCarthyTV) December 6, 2022
James Cameron & Co. deliver yet another riveting, awe-inducing masterclass in world-building with #AvatarTheWayOfWater . Immersive, emotionally engaging & epically entertaining, it’s a thrilling ride. CG artifice melts away where we’re just watching the characters’ humanity steer pic.twitter.com/6CksGpEumJ
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) December 6, 2022
Have now seen #Avatar twice and am overwhelmed by both its technical mastery and unexpectedly intimate emotional scope. Yes the world is expanded and sequels teased but the characters are most important. Cameron is in top form, especially in final act. Good to have him back. 🐟 pic.twitter.com/PR9drN5Zph
— Drew Taylor (@DrewTailored) December 6, 2022
So, #AvatarTheWayOfWater: Liked it, didn’t love it. The good news is that 3D is good again (yay!), and the action is pretty incredible (especially in the final act). But many of the storylines feel like they have to stop and start, and the high frame rate was hit & miss for me. pic.twitter.com/eY4G76R1AJ
— Amon Warmann (@AmonWarmann) December 6, 2022
A staggering achievement- AVATAR TWOW is chokefull of majestic Vistas and emotions at an epic, epic scale. A master at thepeak of his powers… https://t.co/tG6I16JlhM
— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) November 24, 2022
I saw you #AvatarTheWayOfWater – if you think you’ve seen #Avatar think again. Only repeat from the OG is that ‘never experienced anything like it’ awe. Better than 1st? Easily. The 3D water world & creatures are so surreal it is downright moving. There’s a major Titanic homage. pic.twitter.com/EInKRDeumD
— Nikki Novak (@NikkiNovak) December 6, 2022
While #AvatarTheWayOfWater doesn’t really exceed expectations, Cameron’s stunning sequel adds a touching family drama. The stakes are higher. New likeable characters take the lead. Prepare to cry for CGI whales and fall in love with the Sully kids. 3 hours never felt so short.
— Alexander Kardelo (@dunerfors) December 6, 2022
Avatar: The Way of Water left me breathless. Visually stunning, emotionally overwhelming, with some of the most impressive sustained action scenes I’ve ever seen. The performances are incredible too, especially by all the kids. Wow. James Cameron truly doesn’t miss. #Avatar pic.twitter.com/GdwSnZYPYz
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) December 7, 2022
Directed by James Cameron, who co-wrote the screenplay with Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, Avatar: The Way of Water stars Sam Worthington as Jake Sully, Zoe Saldaña as Neytiri, Stephen Lang as Colonel Miles Quaritch, Joel David Moore as Dr. Norm Spellman, CCH Pounder as Mo’at, Giovanni Ribisi as Parker Selfridge, Dileep Rao as Dr. Max Patel, Matt Gerald as Corporal Lyle Wainfleet, Sigourney Weaver as Kiri, Kate Winslet as Ronal, Cliff Curtis as Tonowari, Edie Falco as General Frances Ardmore, Jemaine Clement as Dr. Ian Garvin, and Brendan Cowell as Captain Mick Scoresby.
Avatar: The Way of Water opens on Dec. 16.
The post First Avatar: The Way of Water Reactions Pour In appeared first on Den of Geek.
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