The other reason Avatar: The Way of Water will succeed is its refreshing story about family. Ultimately, it’s the story of a father who wants to protect his children, and the only way he knows how is to run. In other words, if they simply hide, the danger will pass, but like good cinema, Sully ultimately has to confront the danger head-on. Yes, there is an environmental message. But, unlike the first film, it’s not annoying. The theme is basically, don’t kill whales. It’s not obnoxious and agreed upon as a universally accepted practice.
Also, unlike the original, the story is meant to appeal to young teens and families in general by pulling back on the harsh military aspects. Jake’s children are bullied when they arrive amongst the reef people. But, they learn to adapt and rely on one another as they uncover a great secret amongst the water and the whales, or whatever Pandoran word they use.
“…Cameron understands why the first film was so popular…”
Avatar: The Way of Water is much less violent than the first. Avatar already established that the Sky People are dangerous and hate nature, so here, the danger is already known and present. Though the violence is scaled back (slightly), the action sequences are quintessential James Cameron — scary, thrilling, and dangerous. It’s almost an homage to Cameron himself. The final action piece has a Titanic feel, and the CG boat effects are spectacular.
It’s no secret that Avatar: The Way of Water needs to make a lot of money, and my prediction is that it probably will. Cameron makes a lot of smart moves in this anticipated sequel. First off, Cameron understands why the first film was so popular: the world of Pandora. His second smart move was to scale back the military themes and make this about and for families. No agendas; it’s all about family.
Let me be honest for a moment. After seeing the first Avatar for the first time a few months ago, I walked away feeling that it is a bit overrated. It’s too cute with an obnoxious environmental message. I definitely enjoyed Avatar: The Way of Water much more than the first. Its message of family and the portrayal of a strong father and mother protecting their children is refreshing. Cameron, along with Tom Cruise, brought back simple, feel-good storytelling, and I’m thrilled to see this one a second time.
"…no agendas; it's all about family."
Avatar and the Inner Journey: Awakening Through the Four Elements
How Jake Sully’s story in Avatar reflects a spiritual journey from destruction to awakening.
1. When Everything Falls Apart
Jake Sully’s story begins with the loss of everything: his family, his twin brother, and even the ability to walk. He becomes a person who is isolated and powerless, detached from the outer world. In an esoteric sense, this moment marks the beginning of the spiritual journey—where the external self must collapse for the inner self to awaken. This concept is often referred to as “fana” in Sufism.
2. Pandora: The Blue World Within
When Jake enters Pandora, it initially appears as though he is entering an alien planet. However, in reality, he is entering his own inner world. A world filled with the color blue, harmony with nature, and the presence of invisible forces. The Na’vi, with their blue skin and connection to the earth, symbolize the soul, intuition, and the hidden truths of the universe. In Eastern philosophy, the color blue represents depth, awareness, and the feminine, subtle aspect of truth. Pandora is a reflection of the human soul, with all its wisdom and repressed forces.
3. The Four-Stage Path: Earth, Water, Air, Fire
It seems that Avatar has been designed to unfold in four stages, or through the four fundamental elements of nature—elements that in many philosophical and esoteric traditions symbolize stages of inner transformation.
The first part, mostly set in the jungle and earth, can be seen as representing the element of Earth—the stage where humans are most concerned with their physical body and material existence.
The second part, which focuses more on the ocean and water-based cultures, clearly aligns with the element of Water—symbolizing emotion, adaptability, and inner flow.
Following this pattern, it can be predicted that the next installments of the film will focus on the elements of Air (mind, awareness, freedom) and Fire (will, transformation, purification). Fire, in many traditions, is the final element—the stage of complete dissolution into truth.
4. Characters as Inner Forces
The characters surrounding Jake are representations of the inner forces of the human being. Neytiri, Jake’s partner, is filled with love and support but, at times, becomes overcome with anger—perhaps symbolizing the destructive potential of unchecked fire. The military leaders in the story represent the ego or the controlling mind that fears surrender and clings to separation, power, and dominance.
5. Awakening Through Letting Go
At the heart of Avatar lies a powerful message: transformation does not come through struggle or technology, but through surrender. Jake transforms only when he lets go of everything—fear, control, and his past identity. In that very surrender, he enters the world of unity: with nature, with the soul, and with his true self.
Conclusion: A Modern Myth for the Soul
Avatar is more than just a film; it is a map for our inner journey. A story of how to move from destruction to awakening, from the false self to the true self. It reminds us that in the heart of darkness and loss, there is always a door opening to the light within.
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Author: Bi-Neqab
Contact: shams.molana1989@gmail.com
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