Awaiting the worldwide release of James Cameron’s sequel Avatar: the way of the water, the first reactions will be officially revealed after the press is given access to the world premiere in London. Seeing the first reactions to the VFX-heavy movie avatar2 garner overwhelmingly positive reviews, many once again amazed at Cameron’s boundless imagination.
Many critics, including Erik Davis, have said that the film is “viscerally breathtaking, visceral and incredibly captivating.” Other critics called it a “visual masterpiece,” absolutely blown away by the fictional world Cameron has created. Critics like Peri Nemiroff have chosen double to always bet on Cameron and in agreement, Josh Horowitz of the Happy Sad Confused podcast survive by never doubting the legendary director.
Although the film is three hours and ten minutes long, it has received favorable initial reactions, even from fellow film icon Guillermo del Toro. The Oscar winner said the sequel was “a staggering achievement” and added that it was “packed with majestic vistas and emotions on an epic, epic scale. A master at the height of his might.” See what critics had to say below. Avatar: the way of the water premieres in theaters on December 16.
James Cameron once again shows filmmakers how it’s done. I’ve said it a thousand times. Never doubt him. AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER is how you do epic blockbusters. Emotional, visceral and as big as movies can get. @officialavatar
— Josh Horowitz (@joshuahorowitz) December 6, 2022
Not surprising, #AvatarTheWayOfWater is a visual masterpiece with rich use of 3D and breathtaking vistas. It suffers from a thin story and too many characters to juggle, but James Cameron pulls it together for an extraordinary closing act full of emotion and suspenseful action. pic.twitter.com/opr6CRyOwk
— Ian Sandwell (@ian_sandwell) December 6, 2022
#AvatarTheWayOfWater is pretty incredible. I was confident that James Cameron would raise the bar with the effects, but these images are stunning. One beautiful frame after another. But what I’ve dug into the most is how the tech feats always feel in the service of character and world-building. pic.twitter.com/MXeN3z8BnP
— Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) December 6, 2022
A staggering performance – AVATAR TWOW is packed with majestic vistas and emotions on an epic, epic scale. A master at the height of his powers… https://t.co/tG6I16JlhM
— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) November 24, 2022
Avatar: The Way of Water is a never-ending visual spectacle.
It’s a better, more complex story than the first one with solid emotion, but the characters could do with growing a bit more. It’s definitely long and runs on incredible visuals and techniques that are the best of 3D.#AvatarTheWayOfWater pic.twitter.com/ezySHunXOe
— BD (@BrandonDavisBD) December 6, 2022
Happy to say #AvatarTheWayOfWater is phenomenal! Bigger, better and more emotional than #avatar, the film is visually stunning, visceral and incredibly compelling. The story, the spectacle, the spirituality, the beauty – this is filmmaking and storytelling at its best. pic.twitter.com/RicnpDghrx
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) December 6, 2022
it’s an Avatar movie: slow start, big build up, incredibly compelling second act with loads of world building and cool creatures blessing your way out, then an hour of screaming good crystal clear emotionally sharp action to get you home full and happy send
— David Sims (@davidlsims) December 6, 2022
I wasn’t, uh, particularly in favor of an Avatar 2 (even if “James Cameron + wet” tends to work pretty well). now I can’t *wait* to see Avatar 3.
— david ehrlich (@davidehrlich) December 6, 2022
Avatar: The Way of Water – Like remembering, you can dream. To breathe, to cry. To believe in hope again. What was once lost is found. #InCameronWeTrust
— Alex B. (@firstshowing) December 6, 2022
AVATAR THE WAY OF WATER is an engineering marvel that reminds you “OH CG CAN BE GOOD!” Visually, it was worth the long wait as my breath was constantly held. Themes are recycled HEAVILY, but pushed further by the inclusion of the Sully kids who are all good additions. pic.twitter.com/tc7KYQuSGD
— Rendy Jones (@rendy_jones) December 6, 2022
If you loved how Top Gun: Maverick wore its heart on its sleeve and told its story with the utmost sincerity, then Avatar: The Way of Water will speak to you. It springs from a deep-rooted love and joy, and James Cameron knows how to translate that into a universal epic. pic.twitter.com/PLacWqjji8
— kevin l. Lee (@Klee_FilmReview) December 7, 2022
AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER – visually stunning with a vastly improved script, too long but whatever. The plot interested me less than the exploration of the world and the rich family dynamics. And a little corner of me felt like I was looking at both the future of cinema and the death of movies.
— tyburr@mastodon.online (@tyburr) December 7, 2022
Avatar: The Way Of Water is going to be my favorite movie of the year, isn’t it?
So grateful and happy that it is only getting extreme praise. Never doubt James Cameron. pic.twitter.com/HNRVFslXAt
— jacob. ❄️ (@jtimsuggs) December 6, 2022
AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER: Struggles to find its footing at first and eventually loses part of it, but everything in between is pretty spectacular. Has the passion and personal touch that the first film lacked. James loves his water.
— Brian Tallerico (@Brian_Tallerico) December 7, 2022
Avatar: The Way of Water left me breathless. Visually stunning, emotionally overwhelming, with some of the most impressive action sequences I’ve ever seen. The performances are also incredible, especially by all the kids. Wow. James Cameron really doesn’t miss. #avatar pic.twitter.com/GdwSnZYPYz
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) December 7, 2022
Avatar: The Way of Water is a film to be admired rather than loved – a remarkable spectacle, a throwback to the Titanic set pieces, some truly beautiful visual feats. But it’s also endless, plodding long and more impressive than really captivating.
— Christina Newland (@christinalefou) December 6, 2022
Avatar: The Way of Water is an EPIC, STUNNING, CINEMATIC ADVENTURE. It delivers both action and heart, giving fans an intriguing story that feels deserved and justified. Never doubt James Cameron. Biggest Problem: Feels like a springboard for what’s next.#AvatarTheWayofWater pic.twitter.com/dQBEfBkN7z
— Tessa Smith – Mama’s Geeky (@MamasGeeky) December 6, 2022
Avatar: The Way of Water was worth the wait. Family drama and war movie combine for an extraordinary aerial and underwater E-ride with stunning VFX. Joe Letteri can now claim that victory.
— Anne Thompson (@akstanwyck) December 7, 2022
AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER: Yeah, never bet against James Cameron. I’m trying to avoid exaggeration, but I’ve never seen anything like it from a technical, visual standpoint. It’s overwhelming. Maybe too overwhelming. Sometimes I missed plot points because I was staring at a Pandora fish
— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) December 6, 2022
As someone who loved, but didn’t love, the first AVATAR, I can tell you:
AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER blew me away.
The sequel was vastly superior in visuals, storytelling and performances and left my jaw on the floor for its entire runtime.
James Cameron is the GOD of sequels. pic.twitter.com/1cw6C94O4f
— Jake Hamilton (@JakesTakes) December 6, 2022
It’s also absolutely mind-boggling that… none of this stuff exists. I can’t get my head around it.
— Bilge Ebiri (@BilgeEbiri) December 7, 2022
In other entertainment news, Keanu Reeves has revealed John Wick: Chapter 4 is “the hardest movie I’ve ever made.”
