Initial reactions to Avatar: The Way of Water are expectedly good, and they needed to be, given the immense pressure surrounding James Cameron's sequel. The first reactions to Avatar: The Way of Water herald the movie as a worthy follow-up to the first Avatar film, with some critics even claiming that the sequel is the superior work. The long-anticipated return of the Avatar franchise arrives with a similar level of acclaim to its predecessor 13 years ago. However, these reactions could still change following the wide release of Avatar: The Way of Water on December 16, 2022.Avatar: The Way of Water's early reactions are comprised of near-unanimous praise for its revolutionary visual effects, through some are critical of the sequel's derivative nature. Given that the Avatar franchise has three more confirmed sequels, it's encouraging for James Cameron that the majority of responses to the second installment are positive. Indeed, with Avatar 3 having already wrapped up filming and Avatar 4 currently in production, it's pivotal that Avatar: The Way of Water lands with audiences in hopes of propelling a vested interest in the franchise's future.
Avatar 2's Positive Early Reaction Was Inevitable
Ultimately, as strong as Avatar: The Way of Water​​​​​​'s first reactions are, the positive reception isn't a surprise. James Cameron's claims regarding the sequel's pioneering underwater sequences are merited, as early praise highlights the engrossing cinematic feel that audiences have become accustomed to with other big-budget James Cameron sequels. Similar to Peter Jackson's beloved The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Cameron's second and third Avatar films were shot simultaneously, with a grueling three-year process. Although there were several production delays, the fact that Cameron was given ample time and creative license to tell his desired story was integral in Avatar: The Way of Water's positive early reactions.
As with other celebrated Cameron sequels like Aliens and Terminator 2: Judgment Day, several first reactions to Avatar: The Way of Water assert that it is better than the original. This response is par for the course, though, as exhibited by Cameron's trademark ability to place characters in the center of his stories while concurrently delivering earned spectacle and grandeur. Cameron's understanding of genre and audience is evident in Avatar, as he masterfully captures not only sweeping battle sequences but also provides necessary screen time to intimate aspects of world-building.
Avatar 2 Needed The Best Start Possible
Avatar: The Way of Water's expensive budget means it needs a strong opening, as James Cameron has been allotted roughly $1 billion to create the Avatar sequels. Cameron has been overtly transparent about Avatar: The Way of Water's reliance on a record-breaking box office performance for the sequel to be successful. While there are concerns it won't meet this lofty expectation, Cameron's last two movie releases both went on to become the highest-grossing movie of all time. Cameron has acknowledged the sequel's lengthy runtime but also assertively expressed expectations that audiences see the movie a second time in order to recoup some of the massive investment.
Avatar 2's Reaction Could Still Change
As promising as the first reactions to Avatar: The Way of Water are, the overall reception could still change with time and subsequent viewings. As was the case with James Cameron's immaculate 3D innovations in the first Avatar, if this same level of visual splendor is recreated in Avatar: The Way of Water​​​​​​, this may distract viewers from apparent story flaws. Beneath Avatar's stunning exterior lies a derivative narrative that adheres too closely to influences like Dances with Wolves. Further, given the returns of Quaritch and the greedy Resources Development Administration, the key conflict in Avatar: The Way of Water could too closely resemble that of the first film.
While an Avatar plot retread would be unwelcome, Avatar: The Way of Water's first reactions indicate audiences will be able to fully immerse themselves in Pandora again. Part of what makes Avatar compelling is the care and detail given to the world and culture of the Na'vi, specifically the world-building surrounding the Omaticaya clan. Even if Avatar: The Way of Water is somewhat of a rehash, seeing this same focus on the Metkayina clan will be refreshing. While it remains to be seen what the enduring reception to Avatar: The Way of Water will be, its strong first reactions are a reassuring, albeit predictable outcome for James Cameron's latest epic.
