#101: Avatar: The Way of Water, a film by James Cameron
and why you should see it over the holidays.
Hello everyone, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Short and sweet review this week:
Go see this movie!
That’s it. Not even a review, more of a strong suggestion.
I know there are some of you out there that need more convincing. I see you.
Let’s talk about some of the most common complaints and why they shouldn’t hold you back.
“It’s too long”
I was worried about this too. Several movies lately have approached the 3-hour mark and felt too long. But this movie ended, and I wanted more. It truly is a cinematic experience unlike any other and I plan to see it again.
“Nobody cares about Avatar anymore”
You might say Avatar no longer has cultural relevance. The original came out in 2009, which feels like a long time ago. But you know what was even longer ago? 1986, the year Top Gun came out. Its sequel, which nobody was asking for, delighted audiences and made $1.5 billion dollars this year.
It’s impossible to predict what we will care about! We don’t know what we want!
I didn’t think I would care about the world of Pandora and the Na’vi, but the movie made me care and now I’m eager for sequels. I just hope they release sooner than 13 years.
“It is the same story as the first one, which was the same as Fern Gully”
Yes, similar to Avatar, this film has Sky People (aka humans from earth) coming to Pandora and wreaking havoc on the environment in order to obtain a highly valuable natural resource. The Na’vi try to stop them and there’s a big fight. No argument that the story is similar.
But remember, the original movie was awesome! It set up that humans are insatiable for the bounty contained on Pandora. They may have left at the end, but we haven’t seen the last of them.
Secondly, the problems of Pandora reflect Earth’s problems, the same problems we’ve been dealing with for decades. How do we all prosper and continue to be responsible stewards of the earth’s resources?
“The use of Papyrus font is a crime against art and anyone that uses it can’t be taken seriously.”
I have no counterargument. The font is still used in the sequel despite the backlash. In fact, James Cameron said jokingly in an interview that he “doubled down” on Papyrus for The Way of Water. You troll the guy, he trolls back.
Going to the movies with loved ones has been a highlight of many holiday seasons for me. I’ll never forget Christmas 2017 when my parents, siblings, and sibling in-laws (11 of us in all) raucously laughed until we cried in a packed theater watching Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. Great movie, great memory.
That’s what makes Avatar: The Way of Water a perfect Christmas/Holiday movie: Seeing it with your loved ones will make a new memory. You’ll be touched by the themes of family, loyalty, and protecting those you love. You’ll be moved by the beautiful imagery of Pandora which will remind you of earth and the gifts we receive from our home planet. You’ll be thrilled by the action. And, of course, you’ll find cheesy parts to laugh or roll your eyes at.
It’s got something for everyone. Have I convinced you yet?
Thanks for reading and may you feel blessed during this special season.
-Kyle