Ronit J

Avatar The Way of Water (2022) Synopsis:

Return to Pandora.

Set more than a decade after the events of the first film, learn the story of the Sully family (Jake, Neytiri, and their kids), 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.

Avatar The Way of Water (2022) Review:

A few folks told me not to watch this movie when it released in 2022. They called the plot stupid and ridiculous, and the film a waste of time. However, given all the positive reviews that Fire & Ash is getting, I was curious. So, one fine weekend when I had nothing else to watch, I decided to give it a shot. And honestly, it’s not that bad.

The Way of Water is a pointless sequel that has a lot to appreciate, but just as much to make you wonder why.

We return to Pandora years after the events of the first film. Jake (Sam Worthington) is now married to Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), and the two of them have three kids: Neyteyam (Jamie Flatters), Lo’ak (Britain Dalton) and Tuk (Trinity Bliss). They even adopt Dr Grace’s miracle child, Kiri (Sigourney Weaver), despite her father’s identity being a mystery. Also, there’s Spider (Jack Champion), the human baby left behind who’s General Quaritch’s (Stephen Lang) son. Their family is happy and thriving.

But somehow, Quaritch returned. Well, his consciousness was cloned before his death and transferred into a Na’vi avatar, but still. Quaritch attacks Pandora again, this time specifically to get revenge against Jake. Jake—fearing for his family and the Na’vi Forest People—takes his family and seeks refuge with the Water People. However, the danger hasn’t been averted yet.

Same, But Different, But Still The Same

Every criticism that the film gets is valid. Much of the film is just a rehash of the 2009 original. The plot could have been interesting except it forgets to do one very important thing: give Jake reason to leave. Jake’s reasoning remains very hollow and flawed, making the whole plot of Quaritch hunting him down and harming the Water People very much predictable. What’s worse, the entire film feels pretty pointless for the most part.

If Cameron wanted to explore the cultures of the Water People and their surrounding flora and fauna, he didn’t need to have Jake and Neytiri escape from the Forest People. Quaritch’s involvement overall felt forced, making Jake’s plot feel passive and redundant. It’s only the final act of the film where—plotwise—the film makes sense.

As for themes, we’re exploring more or less the same themes as before. Family, environmentalism, and more of what we’ve already seen in the last film.

Overall, The Way of Water is a pretty mediocre film that heavily relies on the previous film’s success and nostalgia. Also, it doesn’t have a lot to say, and remains largely forgetable. Much like the 2009 original film.

Gorgeous, Meditative, and Not Bad

Now that all the criticisms are out of the way, time for the good.

The Way of Water is visually stunning beyond expectations. The Na’vi and pretty much every other alien creature and habitat look as stunningly real as can be. Not only that, the way Cameron shows us this world and its characters’ antics makes full use of Pandora’s elements to immerse you absolutely. Unless you’ve seen the BTS footage of how they shot with mo-cap, it’s almost impossible to tell that the Na’vi and the alien whales (Tulkun) are not real. This isn’t your average CGI film, this is advanced CGI that actually uses it the way a master painter would.

And the CGI is honestly secondary to the stellar and meditative approach to exploring Pandora’s cultures and natural habitats. Remove the idiotic plot, and you’re left with a cozy exploration film where a group of outsiders takes refuge with a stranger culture, then slowly proceed to immerse in that culture along with its habitat. It’s these meditative moments that really stole the show for me. The plot is honestly a 2/5, but the visual brilliance and the meditative treatment raise this film’s rating to a 3.5 for me.

Also, admittedly, there was some good with themes of fatherhood. Jake and Neytiri’s family go through the ringer and end up changed forever. I actually thought there was a lot of potential there between Jake and his kids, as well as Quaritch & Spider. However, like I mentioned earlier, the writing feels surface-level and mediocre refusing to

Avatar The Way of Water (2022) Ending Explained (SPOILERS)

Okay, the finale is pretty complicated, but the ending is simple:

Quaritch starts hunting the sacred Tulkun to lure Jake out. As Lo’ak tries to warn Payakan, he and the kids spot Quaritch and the ‘Sky People’, who end up capturing them. Jake is about to surrender, but Payakan—recognising the Tulkun hunter with Quaritch—attacks. A battle breaks out. Lots of epic action and fight scenes ensue. Some of Quaritch’s team members along with the Tulkun-hunting squads die.

Jake and Neytiri rescue the kids, but Neteyam and Lo’ak run back in to save Spider. In the ensuing scuffle, Neteyam is fatally shot. He dies, but Jake and Neytiri can’t mourn because their daughters are still with Quaritch. They attack and free Tuk, but Kiri remains Quaritch’s hostage. Neytiri threatens to kill Spider, resulting in a tense stand-off. The ship they’re in is sinking, and a scuffle breaks loose. Jake strangles Quaritch, and is later rescued by Lo’ak and Payakan. Spider saves Quaritch, but refuses to be his son; he joins Jake and his family instead.

Jake decides to leave the Water People after Neteyam’s funeral, but Tonowari tells him that they are now part of the clan. Grateful for the refuge, the family accepts their new life, vowing to keep fighting against the humans/Sky People.

Honestly, not a great story, nor a necessary sequel. But, the visual splendour and the meditative exploration of Pandora almost makes up for the bad writing.

Is Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) worth watching?

Maybe. If you’re looking for meditative visuals and stellar CGI alien work, then yes.

But if you’re looking for a meaningful film with heart and depth, then ironically the Way of Water is not for you. Like its predecessor, The Way of Water is pretty shallow. It is epic. It is beautiful. However, it’s not much else.

In Conclusion:

Avatar The Way of Water (2022) by James Cameron is one of the best looking mediocre epics I’ve watched in my lifetime.

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