The first social media comments to James Cameron’s Avatar: The Water dubbed the film a “masterpiece” and that it was better than the first.
Following the global premiere of James Cameron’s ambitious sequel to Avatar, Avatar the Way of Water, in London, the first social media comments to the film are in, and they are largely favorable. While some reviews have noted flaws, particularly in the film’s overlong running time of more than three hours, the majority have lauded the visual effects, the ‘mind-blowing’ sights, and character development that is ‘deeper’ than in the previous film.
Avatar: The Way of Water is the sequel to the massively successful 2009 film Avatar, and the second in a projected five-picture trilogy. The film, which comes out 13 years after the first installment, is one of the most anticipated movies in recent memory, and it was generally expected to lift the ante in terms of visual effects. And, based on the initial comments, it appears to have more than delivered on its promises.
Following the lifting of the social media embargo, several reviewers and cinema stars that saw the film at its premiere recently flocked to Twitter to laud about it. Peri Nemiroff of Collider commended the graphics and how they are integrated with the character development in the film. “I had trust that James Cameron would raise the standard with the special effects, but these sights are mind-blowing.” One amazing frame after another. But the thing I dug most is how the technical feats always feel in service of character & world-building,” they wrote. Calling it ‘visually stunning and overwhelming’, Germain Lussier of Gizmodo tweeted that the film has “some of the most impressive sustained action scenes I’ve ever seen. The performances are really fantastic, especially by the children.”
Independent film writer Amanda Salas called it a cinematic masterpiece, adding, “I enjoyed it even more than the last one!” It conquers great on-screen aesthetics and hits the heart, reminding us of what is truly essential in life.” Many even said it was better than the first installment, which is remains the highest-grossing film of all time. I’m pleased to report that #AvatarTheWayOfWater is great.!” “The film is visually breathtaking, visceral, and incredibly engrossing, bigger, better, and more emotional than #Avatar,” wrote Fandango’s Erik Davis.
There were other critiques as well, especially over the film’s 3 hour and 10 minute run duration. “The tale itself is weaker than the first and feels stretched out at 3 hours and 10 minutes,” producer Scott Mantz commented, “but it’s always lovely to look at & the last hour is amazing.” Overall, most critics claimed they were ready to overlook the flaws due of filmmaker James Cameron’s technical competence. “It suffers from a shallow premise and too many people to handle, but James Cameron pulls it together for an astonishing final act full of passion and spectacular action,” Digital Spy’s Ian Sand well tweeted.
Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, and Sigourney Weaver return from the original film, and Kate Winslet joins the cast this time around. The film will be released worldwide on December 16th