Review - Avatar: The Way of Water (2022)

           All right, guys, here we go. My review of Avatar: The Way of Water, which I just saw in the IMAX 3D format. This movie is the sequel to the 2009 film Avatar, and is once again directed by James Cameron. This film sees the returns of Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Stephen Lang, Sigourney Weaver, Joel David Moore, Dileep Rao, and Giovanni Ribisi, and newcomers Britain Dalton, Trinity Bliss, Bailey Bass, Jack Champion, Edie Falco, Jemaine Clement, Cliff Curtis, and Kate Winslet. Now, I'm not going to harp too much on the story of this movie, as I definitely am looking to avoid spoilers. However, I will be hitting some points that I feel are worth discussing for the purposes of this review. So, here we go. It's been thirteen years, and I finally get to discuss Avatar: The Way of Water. 

        So, it's been more than a decade since the events of the original Avatar, and Jake Sully is living a peaceful, happy life with his wife, Neytiri, and their children. Now, it should be noted that Jake and Neytiri have five children, three of their own and two adopted. The three children that were born to Jake and Neytiri are Neteyam, Lo'ak, and Tuktirey or Tuk for short. The two adopted children are a Na'vi girl named Kiri, and a human named Miles "Spider" Socorro. Spider was born on the human base known as Hell's Gate, but was forced to stay on Pandora, and was taken in by Jake as part of the family, despite misgivings about the boy by Neytiri. 

           Unfortunately, RDA has returned to Pandora, with all new equipment, a new main mission, and a new form of Avatar called a Recombinant. These guys are Avatars born of the genetics and memories of fallen soldiers. Two such soldiers are Colonel Miles Quaritch and Corporal Lyle Wainfleet, both hellbent on revenge against Jake for the events of the first movie. This forces Jake and Neytiri to abandon the Omaticaya and seek sanctuary elsewhere, eventually finding themselves among the reef clan known as the Metkayina, whose leaders are Toniwari and Ronal. 

         Now, I do have to say, I like the idea of the Metkayina, as well as the other oceanic dwelling Na'vi featured throughout the movie. They have a similar silhouette as the Na'vi as we met them in the original movie, but also have some stark differences in physical attributes that make them unique. In a way, their overall look and societal structure is very similar to the Maori tribes of the Pacific Islands here on Earth, which is genuinely fascinating. 

          And, of course, with new settings there must also come new aspects of the biosphere of Pandora. And in this instance, we see various plant and animal life native to Pandora's vast ocean, and they all have a truly unique design that truly feels like something that belongs within the universe of Avatar. And to see our main characters bonding with these creatures is what truly stands out in this movie for me, and I was just in awe with it. 

          James Cameron truly knows how to wow an audience with sheer visual scope and spectacle. Much like how the original Avatar was immersive with the forests of Pandora, The Way of Water is the same way with the oceans of Pandora. Seriously, I felt the genuine feel of being underwater on Pandora in this movie. Definitely see it in 3D, but doubly so in IMAX 3D. You genuinely feel a part of the ocean in this movie. 

       Now, that's not to say that this movie is all style with no substance. Remember, we are talking about James Cameron here, guys. The story and thematic elements of the story are truly spectacular, and the performances by Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, and the rest of the cast really hit it out of the park with this movie. I especially have to give major props to Sigourney Weaver, Britain Dalton, Bailey Bass, Cliff Curtis, and Kate Winslet for their performances in this movie. But again, I can't really get to into detail on that without going into spoilers. 

          All in all, this movie was worth the thirteen year gap between the release of the original Avatar and this movie. I absolutely loved this movie, and it's definitely taking the top spot as my favorite movie of 2022. I'm giving James Cameron's Avatar: The Way of Water a rating of 5/5. Seriously, you guys gotta check this movie out on the big screen. 

         With that said, guys, I'll be signing off for the evening. Be sure to stick around for more 12 Reviews of Christmas coming through the pipeline, and I'll see you guys later.