Movie Review: Avatar The Way of Water (2022)
“Wherever we go, this family is our fortress.” — Jake Sully
13 years after its preceding movie was released, Avatar make a comeback at the end of 2022. Many Avatar fans worldwide have been waiting for their visit to Pandora ever since. After more than a decade the fans have waited for the comeback, they have high expectations of this movie sequel in all aspects. Do you think it’s worth the wait?
Truth to be told, I’m a huge fan of this Avatar blue since I watched it in 2009. Back then I waited for the sequel to release, but there was no news until the end of last year. Finally, we’re going to see Pandora and Jack Sully’s family again! Well, if I have to say a sentence of what I think about this comeback is simple, “It’s a lit!”. How do I think so? There are at least three reasons why I said so.
First, as we have already known, Avatar is a live animated movie. The crews need to film real-life actors and process the intricate editing before its release at the box office. They really had a good job of putting into small detail of the character’s physical appearance and also Pandora’s nature. Like Cameroon said in one of the interviews, he said that he wants to create an amazing experience for the audience with pleasant visuals. And yes, I so agree with him. He successfully pleased the eyes of the audience with the breathtaking visuals presented in the movie. All of the objects look so real. Especially, the underwater scene!
Second, the characters in the Avatar Way of Water, won’t exist if there were no professionals as well as dedicated actors who are willing to play the roles. I am so amazed by their professionalism and skills in bringing Avatar characters to the cinema extremely well portrayed. Most of the screen time in this movie took place in a new environment. It’s where the Avatar who lives near the beach live. They have different physical appearances from the Avatar (the Navi) who live in a forest, different ways of life, and communication cues. Therefore, as newcomer, Jake Sully along with his family members needs to adapt well to the new environment underwater. It was a fun and tense experience in watching them adapt to the new lifestyle. Back to the underwater thing, if most of the screen time is showing the underwater journey, it means that the actors should act underwater too. Imagine how the actors should act underwater: control their facial expressions, open their eyes, and breathe underwater for a long time. Such a new challenge, right? Big respect for all of them.
Third, no matter how incredible a project made by a human is, there is always a flaw, right? In my point of view, the only lack of this sequel is the moral value. In its processor’s sequel, the message that wants to be highlighted is clear. It is extremely important for humans to love and protect nature. Therefore, it is portrayed in the Navi’s rebellion in fighting humans. They challenged humans not to ruin nature and protect it at all costs. However, somehow in this sequel, the main point of the “love nature campaign” is slightly shifted. For Jack Sully and Neytiri, protecting their family comes first. Not to mention that Jack even gave up on his leadership as Toruk Makto in the forest and run into a new place.
To the end, this sequel is like a movie that you will likely watch in the future. It pleases the audience’s eyes and gives an important moral value to protect and love nature. Moreover, family is the most precious thing in our lives. Therefore, protect them at all costs. So, are you ready to take a journey back to Pandora in 2024?
