@Cheeky_Basterds
Avatar first graced the silver screen in December 2009 to overwhelmingly positive reviews and numerous accolades. Breaking all kinds of records and becoming the standard bearer for 3D films to come. Hollywood’s newest IP set the industry ablaze then nothing. Making James Cameron’s latest installment a hard sell to moviegoers, are they willing to plunk down their money for a 3-hour trip to Pandora?
We pick up a decade later from the original story events with the Sully clan in full force Jake (Sam Worthington), Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña), their offspring, Neteyam (Jamie Flatters), Lo’ak (Britain Dalton), Tuktirey (Trinity Jo-Li Bliss) and fosters Kiri (Sigourney Weaver) and Miles “Spider” Socorro (Jack Champion) living in peaceful bliss among the Omaticaya clan. Until the mustache twirling humans return to Pandora with an agenda of their own. Global dominance being at the top of the list, the persistence of humans are met with the resourcefulness and valiant effort of the Na’vi led by ex-jarhead Jake Sully.
Things get personal when Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang) is brought back to life in Na’vi form, because sci-fi, and is more than willing to repay the Sully clan for his demise in the first installment. Complicating things with the Omaticaya and not wanting the insufferable amount of deaths on his head, the Sully family relinquish their “head of the table” status and undergo a journey to the other side of Pandora. Where they integrate themselves with the reef people, Metkayina clan, and learn the way… of the water.
The inclusion of the Metkayina clan is showing us that the forest, though extensively explored, is but a microcosm in the grander scale of Pandora. Metkayina Na’vi led by Tonowari (Cliff Curtis) and Ronal (Kate Winslet), have longer and thicker tails, dorsal like fins on their forearms all of which contributes to their incredible diving and swimming skills. Big kudos to Cameron and his crew for the intricate designs creating new wildlife and ecosystem under the sea that is wondrous to behold and at times can be downright terrifying.
Speaking on design, the VFX impresses from showcasing the film’s big action set pieces to the quieter moments. Standout moments include a daring train heist, a heart stopping battle at sea, and the exploration of the wondrous Metkayina’s Tree of Souls. The 3-hour runtime, though daunting, flies by. I could see how supposedly Cameron’s original cut was 9-hours long; there is just so much to explore — and what we got was just a snapshot into the lives of the Metkayina and the trials and tribulations of not only Jake and Neytiri but their children.
Full disclosure, I was the least interested in watching Cameron’s latest Magnum Opus. I was unable to feign enthusiasm even. Thirteen years is a long time to keep the coals burning for a franchise. With reviews coming in and recommendations to watch it on the largest screen possible we opted to catch the flick on ScreenX, which projects the film on both sides of the screen fully encompassing you underwater. What a beauty it was to behold the splendors of Pandora. Next to IMAX nothing beats a proper ScreenX viewing, especially when the setting is fully fleshed out with colors that pop, making the viewer forget where they really are.
Like Tarantino, Cameron’s films are an event beholden to themselves. These aren’t your run of the mill tights-and-capes movies. To watch it on a small screen is a disservice to the filmmaking industry and the pioneers of movie magic. Films like this make you forget your troubles, transporting you to another world where you can kick back, turn your critical thinking off and be entertained.
Be right back, booking my trip to Pandora via Epcot.
4.25/5 Cups of Night Shade
-Lauro Rojas