Avatar: The Way of Water is the sequel to Avatar (2009) and the second installment in the Avatar film series. The movie was released on Dec. 16 in the U.S. and directed by James Cameron. 

People had high hopes for Avatar: The Way of Water because it is the sequel to the highest-grossing film of all time. Avatar 2 “will now “easily” break even at the box office”, according to writer and director James Cameron of the film as interviewed in New York Post. 

Some may ask why it took so long for the second movie to be publicly released. Plainly, the major reason behind the 13-year wait for the Avatar sequels is their long pre-production state, a result of Cameron’s commitment to the special effects that set Avatar apart from other films.

“The CGI of the movie was super impressive. The three hours passed by so fast,” said senior Shuying Chen. 

Film Critic Murtaza Ali Khan said that “Avatar 2 is worth the 13-year-long wait since the release of the original Avatar in 2009” as interviewed by Times Now. 

In the past 13 years, technology has taken new leaps and Avatar: The Way of Water was able to fully embrace those technological leaps. Murtaza exclaimed that the “State-of-the-art CGI and VFX ensure an immersive experience like never seen before.”

In the movie, actor Sam Worthington played the main lead Jake Sully. Jake Sully firmly established his Avatar body and leads the clan of Na’vi known as the Omatikaya. Since audiences last saw Sully as he has become a father of four and settled into his role as both a leader and a parent, Jake Sully and Ney’tiri have formed a family and are doing everything to stay together in the new movie. However, in the movie, they must leave their home and explore the regions of Pandora due to threats targeted at them. When an ancient threat resurfaces, Jake must fight a brutal war against the humans.

But the most important question that everyone is curious about is whether the movie was a success or a flop after 13 years of waiting. Will the audience go back to this movie after 13 years? The answer is yes. James Cameron’s Avatar 2 is enjoying a splendid run at the box office. Recently, it became the only Hollywood film to earn $2 billion after Avengers: Endgame according to Forbes. 

“The visuals of the movie were really good, I was stunned by the CIG and 3 hours flew passed me because I was so concentrated on the movie. I did not even eat the popcorn that I bought for it,” said junior Shuhao Chen. 

Avatar 2 soars past ‘Top Gun’ with $1.5 billion to become the highest-grossing film of 2022, and it’s already the 10th biggest movie ever. 

Photo Courtesy of WIKIMEDIA COMMONS