Review: 'Avatar' offers plenty of eye candy, but feels emotionally unsatisfying

There will be plenty written in the coming days about “Avatar: The Way of Water” shaking up the year-end awards race.

That is partially true.

From a technical standpoint, the sequel to the 2009 sci-fi epic that went on to break box office records is without peer in breaking new ground in that regard – ever.

“The Way of Water” is a technological marvel from director James Cameron (“Avatar,” “Terminator”) that transcends film because seemingly there is very little reality in this realistic journey back to the planet Pandora.

From the film’s hero, Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), to his spouse, Neytiri (Zoe Saldana), and their four children to the lush, gorgeous terrain and the awe-inducing sea animals, nothing is real and yet, members of the audience will feel immersed in a whole new world where a sense of calm and serenity is the norm.

James Cameron transports audience far, far away in 'Avatar'

Cameron, to his credit, succeeds in transporting the audience there. “Avatar” falters, however, in making them care about many of the inhabitants of this visual paradise.

There will be a total of five films in the “Avatar” series, according to reports, with the final film slated to be released in 2027. What Cameron has planned narratively speaking is unknown, but “The Way of Water” certainly has a middle chapter vibe to it.

Years after the initial events of “Avatar,” which saw human Sully have his conscience transferred into the human-made body of the Na’vi race and lead an insurrection to ensure humans do not gain dominion over the planet, his hopes are dashed.

People are a pesky breed, and the prospect of humanity dying off (because of our own stupidity with the environment, naturally) is too much to bear. They return to Pandora with more weapons, more people and more determination to take what isn’t theirs.

Of course Sully and Neytiri cannot have this, and he essentially leads the Na’vi in guerrilla warfare to keep control of Pandora. Because of what he’s done previously, Sully more or less has a target on his back, and the fact that he has family ties makes him all the more vulnerable. However, he soon realizes that he’s more liability than help, and he’s forced to flee his family’s homeland.

They seek refuge among the Na’vi who live near and sustain themselves from the sea. They are warned by that group’s leader, Tonowari (Cliff Curtis), and his reluctant mate, Ronal (Kate Winslet), before being given asylum not to bring Sully’s war to this land.

Yeah, right.

'Avatar' lacks emotional impact

For those looking for something more emotionally satisfying, this is where “Avatar” treads water. The scenarios the family has to endure are far too predictable to not decipher which turns the story will take. While we’d love to become emotionally invested in Sully’s children – sons Neteyam (Jamie Flatters) and Lo’ak (Britain Dalton), daughter Tuk (Trinity Jo-Li Bliss), adopted daughter Kiri (Sigourney Weaver) and Spider (Jack Champion) – the script by Cameron, Rick Jaffa (“Mulan,” “War for the Planet of the Apes”) and Amanda Silver (“Mulan,” “War for the Planet of the Apes”) doesn’t serve them well, leaning into the predictable.

Ultimately, that leads to the primary problem with “Avatar: The Way of Water”: Those predictable moments lead to emotional indifference. Being able to track the brothers’ relationship along with a sister’s self-discovery is nothing not seen before.

Cameron and company are looking to duplicate the magic that captured movie fans some 13 years ago. The environmental message from then remains relevant, and “Avatar: The Way of Water” accomplishes the task of transporting the audience back to Pandora so well that Cameron may be able to do that. But the lack of emotional ties to key characters is evident, and that hampers what truly is a marvel in filmmaking.

George M. Thomas dabbles in movies and television for the Beacon Journal. Reach him at gthomas@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @ByGeorgeThomas

Details

Movie: “Avatar: The Way of Water”

Cast: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Kate Winslet

Directed by: James Cameron

Running time: 3 hours, 12 minutes

Rated: PG-13 for sequences of strong violence and intense action, partial nudity and some strong language

Grade: B

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Review: 'Avatar' technology triumphs over emotional impact