Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) have established a peaceful life following the events of the first film, raising four children, including their adopted daughter Kiri (Sigourney Weaver). Kiri’s unique origin stems from Grace’s (Weaver’s character in the first film) avatar, who was pregnant when Grace, in her human form, passed away during the initial narrative. The tranquility is shattered by the return of the humans, now equipped with advanced weaponry, extensive knowledge, and a contingent of soldier avatars. Targeting the Sully family, Jake makes the difficult choice to abandon their arboreal sanctuary to protect other inhabitants from the encroaching human threat. They seek refuge with a tribe adapted to aquatic life, leading to inevitable cultural friction. As Jake and his family strive to integrate into their new environment, their pursuers remain relentless, ultimately forcing them to confront the threat head-on.
James Cameron is a highly regarded director. His filmography is characterized by exceptional quality and consistent innovation. His meticulous approach is evident in the enduring CGI of Terminator 2: Judgement Day, released 32 years ago, which surpasses the visual effects of many contemporary films. When Cameron announced his intention to create a film about the Titanic’s sinking, many, initially skeptical, anticipated his first misstep. However, the film became the highest-grossing of all time, a record Cameron later surpassed with Avatar, released twelve years after Titanic.
Avatar: The Way of Water debuted last year, thirteen years after its predecessor. This extended development period reflects the years dedicated to advancing digital technology, coupled with the construction of specialized equipment designed to simulate the underwater environments and the various marine creatures the characters encounter. Critically, all underwater scenes were genuinely recorded underwater.
The visuals in Avatar: The Way of Water are remarkably well-executed and aesthetically impressive. The immersive CGI quickly suspends disbelief. The effectiveness of these CGI visuals stems from Cameron’s mastery of the medium. For example, filming actors suspended by wires to simulate swimming was deemed inadequate, as Cameron prioritized realism. The result is a visually stunning experience in every aspect.
However, Avatar: The Way of Water shares a narrative weakness with the first film: a somewhat simplistic script for a film exceeding three hours in length. While consistently engaging, the plot lacks substantial depth, and a sense of thematic familiarity persists throughout. The forest setting is transposed to an aquatic environment, with different fauna fulfilling analogous roles. Additionally, Jake and Neytiri’s prominence diminishes during significant portions of the film, occasionally relegating them to supporting roles.
I opted to forego a theatrical viewing of Avatar: The Way of Water, instead awaiting the UHD release to experience the film under optimal conditions – a decision that proved worthwhile. The 2160p image, enhanced by HDR, creates a near-three-dimensional viewing experience. Color accuracy is excellent, and the contrast between light and shadow is remarkable. The image is free of artifacts or other distortions, delivering a pristine visual presentation. The climactic battle during the solar eclipse is a particular highlight. The Dolby Atmos sound is immersive and powerful, though the initial audio mix required a volume adjustment to align with standard listening levels. Once calibrated, the sound design is compelling.
Supplemental materials are highly valued, and recent releases have often been deficient in this area. Discovering a dedicated disc containing bonus content was a pleasant surprise. The disc features over three hours of meticulously produced documentaries, along with other supplementary features. These materials comprehensively explore every facet of the production, providing an enriching experience for those interested in film production.
In conclusion, Avatar: The Way of Water warrants a must-see recommendation. While the narrative may lack originality, the film’s other attributes compensate substantially. Furthermore, the Ultra HD release offers a superlative visual and auditory experience.
SF Studios provided review copies for this analysis. Provision of materials does not influence our editorial independence; our reviews are conducted with the interests of readers and consumers as the primary focus.
