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| Author | Mia Blakeney |
The world premiere of James Cameron’s highly anticipated sequel took place at London’s Leicester Square on Tuesday 6 December, where the stars and guests gathered on the blue carpet ahead of the unveiling of the 3D sci-fi epic, almost 13 years after the original.
From the stage, Cameron stated:
“This is a pretty surreal moment for me that we are done with the film. Five years of production and five years spanning a really dark period. The pandemic hit, we were shut down completely. I was despairing this art form I love that I dedicated four decades to was over. […]
“Theatres are full again and moviegoers of the world have declared resoundingly that we need this. We need this ability to gather together to sit in these great dark spaces and to dream together with our eyes wide open in a cinema. To me tonight is not about a new Avatar film. It’s about cinema, and here you are in your black-tie finery. It’s a celebration of this art form that we love so much. It’s back it’s alive and it’s as great as it’s ever been.”
Starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña and Sigourney Weaver, the first Avatar film released in 2009, grossed over $9bn worldwide, making it the biggest film of all-time. It also grossed £95m in the UK & Ireland, at the time a new record, and still one of the highest grossing films of all-time.
Reviews from critics have come in thick and fast in the few hours since the world premiere, praising the sequel across social media:
“Happy to say #AvatarTheWayOfWater is phenomenal! Bigger, better & more emotional than #Avatar, the film is visually breath taking, visceral & incredibly engrossing. The story, the spectacle, the spirituality, the beauty - this is moviemaking & storytelling at its absolute finest” said Erik Davis (Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes), adding “I felt similar after #AvatarTheWayOfWater than I did after #TopGunMaverick in that it reminds you why we love movies & why we anticipate big spectacle on the big screen. When it lands on all levels, there’s nothing sweeter. This one entertains BIG time. Truly, a memorable ride”
Variety and AV Club writer Tomris Laffly tweeted “James Cameron is that dying breed of filmmaker who can package the most accessible of human emotions & a beautifully coherent story inside a spectacular & innovative Hollywood package. Earns every minute of its running time & all your feelings. Loved it.” She followed up with “This is HOW you spend your 3 hrs. Settle the audience into a world for the first, dip their toes into another in the second & rock them there for the final. All the Titanic, Aliens & Terminator references FTW. He should never leave the water. Beautiful.”
Good Day DC’s Kevin McCarthy praised the film’s immersive visual effects: “James Cameron's #AvatarTheWayOfWater is a monumental filmmaking achievement striking a great balance between technical & emotional. The 48fps 3D experience features some of the most jaw-dropping immersion I’ve ever seen. Felt like a kid again watching T2 for 1st time. Astounding.”
“Made a return trip to Pandora tonight for #AvatarTheWayOfTheWater - a total giddy, sugar-rush blast, with one jaw-dropping sight after another. I want an Ilu, but also a Crabsuit. And believe me, you people aren’t ready for Scoresby” tweeted Empire Magazine’s Editor Nick de Semlyen.
Gizmo and io9’s Germain Lussier praised the film, stating: “Avatar: The Way of Water left me breathless. Visually stunning, emotionally overwhelming, with some of the most impressive sustained action scenes I’ve ever seen. The performances are incredible too, especially by all the kids. Wow. James Cameron truly doesn’t miss.”
And IndieWire’s David Ehrlich tweeted: “Avatar The Way of Water: lol imagine being dumb enough to bet against James Cameron. or teen alien Sigourney Weaver. or giant whales subtitled in papyrus. Light years better than the first & easily one of the best theatrical experiences in ages. streaming found dead in a ditch”, adding “(this is all re: the 3D 48fps version by the way. only way I ever want to see this movie, stupid double glasses and all)”.
Avatar: The Way of Water opens in UK cinemas in 3D from Friday 16 December. It’s clear from critics reviews and Cameron’s comments, this is a film that simply has to be experienced on the big screen.