The warm, dense jungles of James Cameron’s “Avatar” have become an iconic setting in the modern-age of film settings. “Avatar” is known for its unique and astonishing use of CGI. Almost everything seen in the titular film series is nearly life-like in every way, from the creatures to the flora and fauna; therefore, the series is undoubtedly one of the most visually beautiful cinematic creations of our time.
Unsurprisingly, with this sort of legendary reputation there is bound to be some guaranteed financial gain, and as of this year, “Avatar (2009)” remains the highest-grossing film of all time. Since its original release, “Avatar” has raked in a mass sum of over 2.9 billion dollars.
There was a large demand for a sequel. When James Cameron began scriptwriting in 2012, he had a team of people overlook all of the decisions that would go into making “Avatar 2”. It would take another five years before any kind of beginning would start. In 2017, filming for both “Avatar 2 and Avatar 3” began, with plans for up to 7 total installments. After the first "Avatar," James Cameron found a gold mine of money-making ideas that would make an astounding mark on the age of modern cinema.
James Cameron is famously known for making remarkable movies such as "Titanic," "Aliens," and "The Terminator Franchise." And while the “Avatar” franchise is certainly notable for its CGI, it does not quite fall in the category of James Cameron’s other outstanding movies. The “Avatar” franchise follows a plot that often seems lost or forgettable. This ailment is found most prevalent in the recent, “Avatar: The Way of Water”.
“Avatar 2” is without a doubt a long movie, with an immense runtime of 3 hours and 12 minutes. As with any movie, the director should typically keep things neat and interesting all the way through. This rule is especially imperative when a movie is as long as this. Unfortunately, many parts of the "Avatar" sequel seem to drag on with some smaller plot points taking upwards of 20 minutes. The movie seems to jump around from side plot to side plot with very little indication of what is actually going on. All that being said, “Avatar: The Way of Water” is not necessarily a bad movie. It has some very redeeming qualities. As seen in its final act, the narrative focuses on the main characters all being together, with no loose side plots that ultimately have no effect on the overall story. What follows is an action-packed grand finale with some incredibly emotional scenes that will tug on your heartstrings. Its ending leaves a lot open for many future installments. And once again, the CGI is unmatched in its league, with truly outstanding visuals that cannot be beaten.
Overall, “Avatar: The Way of Water”, is a faithful installment from the especially unique original 2009 “Avatar”. It keeps the same enjoyable elements from the first. While it has its issues, it makes up for them with its heart and extravagant CGI. If you like the first “Avatar”, “Avatar: The Way of Water” is definitely worth the watch as long as you go in expecting it to only be just another fun action blockbuster.
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