REVIEW
FROM "AVATAR 1" TO "AVATAR 2: THE WAY OF THE WATER"
Naomi Vanessa Urdiales García
Avatar 1 is a science fiction movie directed by James Cameron and released in 2009. The film is set in the mid-22nd century when humans have depleted Earth's resources and are mining a precious mineral called unobtanium on a distant moon called Pandora. The moon is inhabited by the Na'vi, a humanoid species with its language and culture. The story follows Jake Sully, a paraplegic former Marine who is sent to Pandora as part of a program that allows him to control an avatar, a genetically engineered Na'vi-human hybrid. Through his avatar, Jake becomes involved in the conflict between the humans and the Na'vi, ultimately siding with the Na'vi and leading them into a battle against the humans.
The movie was very well-received by both critics and the general public. It was praised for its stunning visuals, immersive world-building, and engaging story. The film's use of 3D technology was also seen as a breakthrough, and many viewers were blown away by the film's innovative use of motion capture to bring the Na'vi to life. It was a box office hit, grossing over $2.7 billion worldwide, and it became the highest-grossing film of all time until it was surpassed by "Avengers: Endgame" in 2019. With this event, even though it had passed 10 years and speculations were made, the furor for a sequel increased even more. And, after multiple delays due to COVID and production delays, James Cameron announced that the movie was finally set to be released in December 2022.
Avatar 2 was finally released on December 15, 2022. The story is primarily set on the children of Jake and his partner Neytiri. The movie shows the evolution of Jake and Neytiri as parents and centers on their children: Neteyam, Loak, Kiri, and Tuk. The movie shows how their life got yet again disrupted by humans and the sacrifices they had to make as a family when they had to leave everything they once called theirs. James Cameron returned as the greatest director with this visual and storytelling masterpiece.
Through his avatar, Jake becomes involved in the conflict between the humans and the Na'vi, ultimately siding with the Na'vi and leading them into a battle against the humans.
The movie features cutting-edge visual effects and innovative filmmaking techniques like Deep X, which was created by Pawel Achtel and helped James Cameron film 3D images underwater. This technology represents a gigantic importance in the film because since the director James Cameron decided to immerse viewers in the beauty of the ocean to appreciate it and protect it, this tool reduces the distortion caused by particles in the water and water movement. This positions the ocean environmental theme as the main attraction visually, just like in the first movie which featured deforestation and the impact of mankind on it.
Taking into account this and bringing into the table the brilliant script, the final product leaves a mixture between nostalgia from the relationships in the first movie and a ¨proud¨ feeling of the evolution of the old characters and how brilliantly the dynamics with the new ones worked. The movie shows how the main couple, Jake and Neytiri, evolved from a romance to the responsibility of 4 children.
How Jake, being from a marine background, interacted with the different personalities and sense of responsibility of his sons Neteyam and Loak. Neytiri´s role as a warrior and how her fierceness reflects how she protects her family and stands by Jake´s side when humans return to disturb their peace. Also how Loak and Kiri stand out more from the Sully children due to their personalities and abilities, which could bring a challenge to the family to stay completely protected from the arising dangers.
The movie is not only bigger in production but is way more emotional and gut-wrenching than the first film. It is visually breathtaking and incredibly engrossing, on the visual side and storytelling. The storytelling, the spirituality, and the love letter to nature and family makes the storytelling pop at its absolute finest. While it may not be a movie for everybody, it's a story that can hit everybody on a different level and it is enjoyable to watch with friends and family.