Avatar: The Way of Water | We do not change a multi-billion dollar recipe

We now know what James Cameron did during the 13 years between Avatar of this suite: it doubled, even tripled its original recipe. Avatar: The Way of Water is grander and more innovative, but also more predictable and longer.

Following the departure of the invading humans, Jake (Sam Worthtington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) have been spinning perfect happiness for ten years. The Sully family has also grown. Young Neteyam (James Flatters), Kiri (we keep you surprised), Lo’ak (Britain Dalton) and Tuk (Trinity Jo-Li Bliss) learn, play and bicker together. Their best friend, Spider (Jack Champion), is a human who grew up with the Na’vi, since babies were left behind in cryonics. The rest of his kind weren’t going to sit on a dying Earth idly for too long, however.

Thus, humans are back on Pandora, with even less subtlety than in the first film. It’s like Terminator 2, but times 1000: the desire for revenge is great. However, humanity is no longer there to exploit a resource, but to build a new home.

It’s terribly simple as a narrative choice, but, at least, James Cameron and his writers set the table quickly. They still use Jake’s narration – even if he no longer keeps his video diary… – to ensure that all the issues are understood in a short time. Because, the rest of the story, it takes all its time.

Totally immersive

The huge success ofAvatar is largely attributable to the singular 3D experience it offered in cinema. This second part is even more impressive in this regard. Every shot, every detail, every facial expression, every flying insect, every particle suspended in the water is incredibly realistic. If we let ourselves go, it is possible to believe that this largely digitally created universe does indeed exist.

In order to avoid conflict with humans and to protect the Omatikaya clan, the Sully family leaves the forest and finds refuge among the Metkayina, a people living on the shores of a vast ocean. Already stunning on land and in the air, the special effects are even more remarkable underwater. At times, it almost feels like an animal documentary. It’s beautiful and zen, there’s no doubt, but a few less scenes would have done our bladder a lot of good.

Family values

In addition to the ecological message underlined in broad strokes, The Way of Water takes a long time to recall the basic principles of a model family: the father protects, the mother comforts, the eldest does like the father, the youngest blunders, the oldest is “weird” and the youngest is cute. Then, we love each other and we hold each other. Again, we keep it simple.

Surprisingly, we spend most of the time with the Sully children, those of the Metkayina clan and their underwater animals. Their interactions are the same as those of all teenagers. Not very original, but not bad either, just like the performances.

Zoe Saldaña certainly delivers the best of the entire film, even if her role is essentially reduced to that of her husband’s wife. Which is very unfortunate. We understand that she feels helpless away from her trees and her people, but her difficulty in adapting as a refugee could have been exploited with more finesse.

Death, humans!

However, when Neytiri bends his bow, our satisfaction is considerable. Looking back, we wondered about our (too great) joy in seeing so many humans die violently. Because the last act is devoted almost entirely to it. Blockbusters of the genre have accustomed us to anonymous enemies – robots, monsters, aliens – who die by the hundred. However, it is Earthlings who pass away here. James Cameron has managed to demonize them to the point where it is pleasing to see an arrow go through their body.

Beyond the shots, the action and emotion reach heights that far exceed the original film. The camera, music, and editing make it feel like the aquatic battlefield, which gets quite claustrophobic at times. However, everything stretches unnecessarily, which has the effect of reducing the tension at the end of the course.

Of course, the victory of the Sullys and the Na’vi was never in doubt. Despite its simplicity, Avatar: The Way of Water impresses and sometimes manages to touch us. Three sequels are planned and it is hoped that the storylines of these will be superior and allow the universe to expand beyond the friendly family. Because even if this second chapter could compete with the 2.9 billion of its predecessor, an eternal success is not guaranteed.

science fiction

Avatar: The Way of Water
(VF: Avatar: The Way of the Water)

james cameron

With Sam Worthtington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver

3:12 a.m.

6.5/10