Photo Credit: 20th Century Studios
"A Never-Ending Visual Spectacle:" Critics Are Going Crazy Over 'Avatar: The Way of Water"
The embargo has lifted on long-awaited James Cameron epic Avatar: The Way of Water, which makes its theatrical release on December 16.
The theatrical release of new James Cameron epic Avatar: The Way of Water is just one week away. On Tuesday (December 6), the blue carpet was rolled out for the world premiere of Avatar, which was hosted in London with guest appearances from the full cast, including Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Kate Winslet, Sigourney Weaver and others. The film comes thirteen years after the inaugural Avatar and will be followed by three more installments in 2024, 2026 and 2028.
\u201cThe blue carpet has been rolled out! \nJoin us at the World Premiere of #AvatarTheWayOfWater in London \ud83c\uddec\ud83c\udde7 \n\nFollow along to see the cast and filmmakers behind the movie event of a generation.\u201d— Avatar (@Avatar) 1670348904
Critics commended the follow-up to the first Avatar, which broke the box office as the highest-grossing release of all-time with $2.92 billion. However, in a recent interview with WWD, Saldana revealed that she hopes The Way of Water touches viewers more than becoming a blockbuster smash.
"Obviously I’m hoping for ‘Avatar 2: The Way of Water’ to have a very beautiful impact on people. But it’s not for the sake of breaking any records or making a ton of money," the actress said. "I think this saga is special. It was made with a lot of love and a lot of work. And it’s an experience worth having.”
\u201cThe incredible cast and filmmakers behind #AvatarTheWayOfWater \n\nExperience the film only in theaters December 16. Get tickets now:\nhttps://t.co/e7tDD9mIPY\u201d— Avatar (@Avatar) 1670357151
\u201cOur #Neytiri \n\n#AvatarTheWayOfWater\u201d— Avatar (@Avatar) 1670357285
So far, film critics seem to agree, many praising Avatar for visuals and a captivating storyline more dynamic than its 2009 predecessor.
Rama's Screen editor-in-chief, Rama Tampubolon, called the film a "visual splendor," adding that it's the "year's biggest most cinematic thrill-ride adventure."
\u201cAVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER was a visual splendor. At times breathtaking, other times intense. Round 2 of Quaritch VS. Jake Sully kept me on the edge of my seat. Massive & action-packed. This year's biggest most cinematic thrill-ride adventure\n\n#AvatarTheWayofWater #Avatar #Avatar2\u201d— Rama's Screen (@Rama's Screen) 1670367606
Check out more Avatar reviews below.
\u201cAVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER might be James Cameron\u2019s sweetest, gentlest, most personal film. Possibly even his most emotional. It revisits all his greatest hits, but it\u2019s always totally sincere. He is never leaving Pandora. He loves this family. By the end, I did, too.\u201d— Bilge Ebiri (@Bilge Ebiri) 1670384958
\u201cJames Cameron now has not two but THREE of the best sequels ever made. AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER is incredible. The effects and action is, yes, breathtaking. But it is the story this time that\u2019s the beating heart. It\u2019s more personal, complicated, emotional. Wow, it really soars.\u201d— kevin l. lee (@kevin l. lee) 1670384351
\u201cSo, #AvatarTheWayOfWater is one of the most visually stunning films I have seen. Incredible on an almost obscene level. Crucially, it also manages an engaging story with new & returning characters. Yes, it is long at 3+ hours, but James Cameron's only gone and bloody delivered...\u201d— Tori Brazier (@Tori Brazier) 1670371770
\u201c#AvatarTheWayOfWater is pretty incredible. I had faith James Cameron would raise the bar w/ the effects but these visuals are mind-blowing. One stunning frame after the next. But the thing I dug most is how the technical feats always feel in service of character & world-building.\u201d— Perri Nemiroff (@Perri Nemiroff) 1670364001
\u201cAVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER: Yeah never bet against James Cameron. Trying to spare hyperbole, but I\u2019ve never seen anything like this from a technical, visual standpoint. It\u2019s overwhelming. Maybe too overwhelming. Sometimes I\u2019d miss plot points because I\u2019m staring at a Pandora fish\u201d— Mike Ryan (@Mike Ryan) 1670366791
\u201cAs someone who LIKED -- but didn't LOVE -- the first AVATAR, let me tell you:\n\nAVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER blew me away.\n\nVastly superior in visuals, story telling and performances, the sequel left my jaw on the ground for the entire runtime.\n\nJames Cameron is the GOD of sequels.\u201d— Jake Hamilton (@Jake Hamilton) 1670367600
\u201cAvatar: The Way of Water, being more than 3 hours long, is both fulfilling and indulgent. It still ends wanting you to know a third is coming.\n\nConstantly a visual feast, creative plays with frame rate, and never boring despite. Overall, I liked it.\u201d— The Brandalorian (@The Brandalorian) 1670364039
\u201cAvatar: The Way of Water is a never-ending visual spectacle.\n\nIt\u2019s a better, more complex story than the first with solid emotion but the characters could grow a bit more. It\u2019s definitely long, running on incredible visuals & techniques which are 3D\u2019s best.\n\n#AvatarTheWayOfWater\u201d— The Brandalorian (@The Brandalorian) 1670364023
\u201cJames Cameron & Co. deliver yet another riveting, awe-inducing masterclass in world-building with #AvatarTheWayOfWater . Immersive, emotionally engaging & epically entertaining, it\u2019s a thrilling ride. CG artifice melts away where we\u2019re just watching the characters\u2019 humanity steer\u201d— Courtney Howard (@Courtney Howard) 1670367615
\u201cJames Cameron's #AvatarTheWayOfWater is a monumental filmmaking achievement striking a great balance between technical & emotional. The 48fps 3D experience features some of the most jaw-dropping immersion I\u2019ve ever seen. Felt like a kid again watching T2 for 1st time. Astounding.\u201d— Kevin McCarthy (@Kevin McCarthy) 1670367619
\u201cHappy to say #AvatarTheWayOfWater is phenomenal! Bigger, better & more emotional than #Avatar, the film is visually breathtaking, visceral & incredibly engrossing. The story, the spectacle, the spirituality, the beauty - this is moviemaking & storytelling at its absolute finest.\u201d— Erik Davis (@Erik Davis) 1670366622
