AVATAR was an impressive visual experience to watch in theaters in 3D and AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER is the same. Director James Cameron knows how to create a world that you can immerse yourself in. The story might not win any awards and it does retread some of the same things form the first movie, but the overdue sequel took so long to make because James Cameron decided to get together with a writing team and write four sequels after tossing out the first sequel script for it not having enough of that special sauce. He directed the first two sequels back to back with some release date delays (some due to COVID production restrictions). AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER is an impressive visual movie, but it will not find fans with some critics. This sequel like the first movie is more about visuals and to be appreciated by a general audience. James isn't looking to create a classic. He wants to give you an experience and hope you had a good time watching it even though three hours might be too long for some.

The sequel quickly shows you what happens with Jake Sully and Neytiri as they have a family (and even adopt the daughter of Grace's avatar). Years pass until the Earth corporations show up again to mine the planet of Pandora for its rich elements with this time being alien sea whale brain goo that stops human aging. Sully's old enemy is resurrected in an Avatar body with most of his old memories (except for his last battle when he died. A resistance is fought against Earth forces until Jake Sully takes his family and goes into hiding among the ocean island tribes of Pandora. His old enemy continues his search for Jake as he connects with the son his original self had as his military team of Avatar clones go native. Jake Sully's family learns the ways of the island people as Jake's old enemy inches closer to finding them.

AVATAR: THE WAY OF THE WATER is a visual treat and it does retread the story elements from the first AVATAR (and some of director James Cameron's other movies like TITANIC). You should go see on the big screen. You may or may not like the storytelling, but you will marvel at the fantastic visuals and movie magic at work in this sequel. Too bad it is a two year wait for the third movie despite it being shot at the same time as this sequel (and even part of the fourth AVATAR).

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