It’s hard to believe that 13 full years have passed since the original Avatar movie hit the cinemas and changed the movie industry forever. Becoming the highest-grossing movie of all time globally and grossing over $2.84 billion, Avatar showed the world in 2009 the true possibilities of motion capture and 3D technology.
After almost 7 years in the making, Avatar: The Way of Water is being released on December 16th, and the movie is facing a lot of expectations from the public. But what do we know about the movie so far, and what can we realistically expect from this long-awaited sequel?
It is very long
James Cameron is known for making long movies that always go over 2 hours, and the new Avatar will be no exception. The famous director has been heard saying that he’s already certain many viewers will be complaining about the movie’s running time, which is supposedly going to get very close to the three-hour mark.
This seems to be a new shift in the industry, with more movies than ever now surpassing the two-hour mark easily. The shift is only good for the viewers and filmmakers, who get more time to bring their beloved stories to the big screen.
It is visually stunning
After the COVID pandemic forced many industries to move online, and the popularity of streaming services, online casinos, food deliveries, and video conferencing drastically skyrocketed as a result, James Cameron finally brings back the masterpiece that is said to give its viewers an experience no home cinema system can offer.
Avatar 2 will offer a spectacular visual experience that is expected to be revolutionary and out-of-this-world yet again. Cameron is a highly talented filmmaker, and this movie is his mission to prove the world that the success of Avatar was just not a lucky fluke. Since Cameron is aware of the immensely high expectation bar set for Avatar 2 – and given that the movie has been in the making for over 6 years – we expect Avatar 2 to be a truly magical experience to have in the cinema.
It is very family-oriented
The plot of the second installment is set more than a decade after the events of the first film, which is cleverly illustrated by Jake and Neytiri living life with their children. As the official synopsis reads, the movie “…begins to tell the story of the Sully family, the trouble that follows them, the lengths they go to keep each other safe, the battles they fight to stay alive, and the tragedies they endure.”
The family-orientation of the movie is perfect for effecting large audiences, as the topics of family, love, protection, and survival are universal across nations. We can expect a touching and heartfelt story about love and loss, and audiences are advised to bring a pack of tissues along with their popcorn and coke.
It is star-packed
Both Zoe Saldana (Neytiri) and Sam Worthington (Jake Sully) return to continue their Avatar journey. Stephen Lang is believed to be the main antagonist in the upcoming sequels, and although Signourney Weaver’s character died during the first film, the actress will join the Avatar 2 cast via a different character.
Avatar 2 also welcomes other A-listers: Vin Diesel is set to appear in the upcoming sequels, and Kate Winslet will make her appearance in December. For Winslet, this is the first time she’s working with Cameron again since Titanic (1997).
It mainly takes place underwater
The main reason why Avatar 2 was postponed so many times is connected to Cameron’s vision of wanting Avatar 2 to take place underwater. Since the motion capture technology didn’t work the same underwater as it did above the surface, Cameron was forced to postpone the movie several times until he was able to create his own motion capture technology and finally start bringing his underwater vision to life.
Actors had to undergo special free-diving training to keep up with the demand of the director. The set team built a giant water tank for filming, and Kate Winslet even managed to hold her breath underwater for astounding seven minutes and 14 seconds, breaking Tom Cruise’s record!
Avatar: The Way of Water will certainly be a must-watch for audiences of all ages and genre-preferences. The Avatar movies are more than just movies – they represent innovation, growth, perseverance, patience, and so much more… and we can’t wait!
This is going to be a hard pass for me. I only saw the first movie, and after 20 minutes the spectacle of the 3D wore off and I was forced to deal with the infantile storyline.
I’m not an Avatard, so I won’t be watching.