REVIEW: AVATAR - THE WAY OF WATER

3.5/5

The Shape Of Water.

192 Mins. Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Cliff Curtis, Jermaine Clement, Jack Champion, Edie Falco & Kate Winslet. Director: James Cameron. 

Thirteen years after 'Avatar', 'Titanic' cinematic director James Cameron is back to sink everything in the box office this Christmas with his 'The Way Of Water' submerging sequel. Straight out the abyss, opening Pandora's box again on this blue planet. It's been a long time, but these three-hour epics are no mean feat. Now it's 'Judgement Day' on the first of four sequels planned to be released every two years through 2028 from the man who promised he'd be back. 

'The Last Airbender', this 'Avatar' is not. Smurf riffing on themes from 'Dances With Wolves' and 'FernGully: The Last Rainforest', this awakening force of a formidable franchise has something to say about the nature of the natural world around us. Although as much as it is a visual feast, it's starved when it comes to plot and pacing. The actors buried and tangled up in blue and culturally appropriating hair as this waterlogged plot drowns you in a three-hour plus runtime (three more of these?!). Longer than a Stephen King 'Stand', cases of numb-bum beware. Reminding us of the classic quote quipped about the outstanding original. "I cried half-way through 'Avatar'...when I realized there was another hour and a half left!" With that being said, this sequel on the same stranger tide shores of Kevin Costner's 'Waterworld', the 'Thor' like under the sea realms of DC's 'Aquaman' and a mere month ago the start of Namor's Marvel reign in the 'Black Panther' sequel 'Wakanda Forever' still features amazing action. The kind the 'Terminator' director teased in an all night robots vs. humans night war to begin each of his machine movies. 

Raging against the one that's set to cause more deforestation than Arnie's other classic 80s cult franchise starter, the real predators here are humans (such is life). "The Sky People" as we are called (eerily close to SkyNet in Cameron's cinematic dystopic vision). No wonder Sam Worthington and Sigourney Weaver (another 'Alien' member of iconic pre-21'st century science-fiction and cult character creation legend) have converted. Identifying as a kind of blue like Joni Mitchell. 'Avatar' made Sam Worthington a star. The kind they wanted in the next Leo mould. Big budget blockbusters followed. A 'Clash Of The Titans'. A 'Phone Booth' like 'Man On A Ledge', walking the fine line of keeping an almost one-man movie show level. And even a 'Terminator: Salvation' during the beginning of the 10s that was his moment. Worthington has been a little quiet of late, but is still worthy like James or Wayne in this world. Compelling with a fortress of a family quote that will echo in fandom eternity. 

Going green as Gamora in 'Guardians Of The Galaxy'. Channelling the most groundbreaking character in Hollywood and science-fiction as Nyota Uhura in 'Star Trek' (Live Long and Prosper, Nichelle Nichols) and being a beautiful blue in this, Zoe Saldaña is a science-fiction dream. Even zapping more with Ryan Reynolds this year for Netflix's 'The Adam Project.' And she is the epic emotion that really scream sells this series. Showing her true colours under any camouflage. A chameleonic character and ever underrated actor. In this Ripley game, it's great to have the voice of absolute legend Sigourney Weaver back too. Pivotal to the strands of hair-weaving plot, all will be revealed. Just like the formidable foe of 'Don't Breathe's' Stephen Lang. We just wish we got more than an on-screen Giovanni Ribisi. 

As for the new cast. 'Training Day's' Cliff Curtis' voice is undeniable. And 'What We Do In The Shadows' and 'Legion' star Jermaine Clement offers more acting heft. 'The Sopranos' and 'Nurse Jackie' Edie Falco's general gives Lang a run for his semper fi and a 'Titanic' reunion with Kate Winslet holds even more water (save those room on the door for DiCaprio jokes, Brad Pitt had the best one with his Oscars speech). But it's the kids that are more than alright, led by Jack Champion's last name performance as Spider, man. It all opens up more room to breathe over the trilogy of world building underwater movies to come. Bonds with whale like creatures that will touch you more than the outstretched hands (or is that fins? ) of 'Free Willy'. And 'Nothing Is Lost' with a song for The Weeknd to tide you over. Enough islands to spin-off into a series worth of comic-books, video games and shows, 'The Way Of Water' is to set a course that could even flow past all that streaming. Some may merely see this as an avatar to the real world, but the soul of this divine teacher is more a mirror. Reflective like the purest sea. See this. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Avatar', 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever', 'Titanic'.