I’ve never really cared for Avatar or its sequel(s) up until about two weeks ago when I decided to watch it for the first time. I missed the cinema re-release (which I deeply regret now) and knew that, despite my disinterest, I wanted to experience the sequel in IMAX while I had the opportunity to do so after seeing the trailers. I actually enjoyed the first movie and its sequel does not disappoint.
I understand that one can get tired of hearing about Avatar’s visuals, but they are masterfully crafted and projected on screen phenomenally by writer/director James Cameron and VFX teams, to give them their credit as well. It’s still such a technological achievement all these years later. Even me saying all this still doesn’t convey the feeling you get when you see Pandora and the Na’vi again. It’s a totally breathtaking experience that one needs to see for themselves. Not only that, but it consistently holds up throughout its 3-hour runtime.
With the return of Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), also known as the most okay main character in blockbuster film history, Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) and now their family which includes their four children, I was pleasantly impressed with the character work done here. Unfortunately, Jake Sully (who is still okay) is completely taken over, interest-wise for me, by his children. The acting done by them was really great and I am excited to see them in the next one. However, Zoe Saldaña is always going to get her flowers from me because she continues to play Neytiri to the best of her ability.
Although the story is quite similar to the first film in both its plot and structure, a key piece of information missing from that statement is that the stakes are higher this time, and yes, they should be for a sequel, but the plot worked for me because of that. This film, for me, is also carried by its visuals, which is not a bad thing at all. What major plot points besides what we’ve seen do you need from an Avatar film, in all honesty? Because we as the audience are immersed in the world of Pandora, it’s enough to get you to specifically care about what happens in the film and to Pandora. That’s not the case with the majority of people but for me, that’s enough.
There are obvious cons to this film, the major one for me being that the dialogue has not improved since the first film. Most of what was supposed to be a funny or quick line didn’t land with me or the people around. That’s not much of a shock however, James Cameron is 68 years old. The other thing that didn’t do well with me was the changes in the frame rate. As a motion sickness girl, I didn’t need that in the beginning. Take that as a warning if you’re seeing it in 3D but I’m sure it’s fine in standard 2D.
Additionally, there are parts of this where one may view them as plot holes. Personally, I’m choosing to see them as unanswered questions for the sequels!
In the end, however, I rarely leave a film literally wanting to go back immediately to watch it all over again. The closest to that happening was when I saw The Last Jedi in 2017 and I went back the next day to see it again.
I was entertained, extremely impressed and ready for the next film. If James Cameron wants to make three more of these movies, I will watch them gladly.
If you’ve been on the fence about seeing this but are able to on the biggest screen you can, the visuals on their own are worth getting a ticket to form your own opinion!
Let me know your thoughts if you’ve seen the film and before I sign off, Happy Holidays!
Until next time.
- hannah x