Avatar: The Way of Water

release year: 2022
genre: sci-fi drama/action
viewing setting: home streaming 6/12/23

synopsis: Humans from Earth have returned to the alien world, and it's up to the past hero and his expanded family to deal with the problem.

impressions: Like the first movie, this is a viaual extravaganza that has some underlying themes (the ones I noticed were the evils of colonization and the strength of family.) The protagonists move on to a water-borne area and learn new skills (and encounter new creatures.) An old enemy also returns, after a fashion, as does an old friend. I really don't want to get into details because I might spoil things, but this is a three-hour adventure of epic scale, and one of the few movies that should truly be seen in a theater for the maximum experience.

acting: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana Sigourney Weaver, and Stephen Lang all reprise their roles from before (Weaver's is another character but shares the appearance and voice.) Jamie Flatters, Britain Dalton, and Trinity Jo-Li Bliss debut as their actual children, with Jack Champion as an adopted child. Cliff Curtis and Kate Winslet are the rulers of the water tribe, with Bailey Bass as their spirited daughter.

final word: Great second chapter in what is shaping up to be an epic film saga.

back to the main review page