Avatar: The Way of Water, a 'beached whale'... the best critics' responses

Peter Bradshaw from The Guardian has finally published his long, scathing review of 'Avatar 2' and, we have to say, it's anything but praise. In fact, he likens the movie to an underwater screensaver. We share with you a few of our favorite snippets and other critics' responses on James Cameron's $1bn follow-up series of films from his 2009 smash hit, 'Avatar.'

"The floatingly bland plot is like a children’s story without the humour; a YA story without the emotional wound; an action thriller without the hard edge of real excitement."

"...the whole thing has the non-briny smell of a MacBook Pro."

"Finding Nemo was more vivid."

"James Cameron’s soggy new digitised film has beached like a massive, pointless whale."

So, was the build-up (and the money) worth it? After the first screening on the 6th of December, we got some insights and opinions on the new story from Pandora. Not all critics have responded so harshly. Some of the criticisms are also rather praising and some are particularly funny.

Photo: 20th Century Studios

Earlier in the summer of 2022, director James Cameron told Empire magazine that he didn't "want anybody whining about length when they sit and binge-watch [television] for eight hours."

Months before the first screening, Cameron already had a premonition of the reviews:
"I can almost write this part of the review. ‘The agonizingly long three-hour movie…’ It’s like, give me a **** break. I’ve watched my kids sit and do five one-hour episodes in a row.
Here’s the big social paradigm shift that has to happen: it’s okay to get up and go pee."

Emmy-nominated producer and film critic Scott Mantz said:
"The story itself is weaker than the first and feels drawn out at 3 hours & 10 minutes, but it’s always great to look at & the last hour is amazing."

Photo: 20th Century Studios

Legendary director Guillermo Del Toro loved the film:
"A staggering achievement- AVATAR TWO is chockfull of majestic Vistas and emotions at an epic, epic scale. A master at the peak of his powers…"

Photo: 20th Century Studios

The Oscar-winning director continued on another Tweet:
"I say it again: Avatar 2 - seeing it you realize how long it has been since you saw a MOVIE-MOVIE."

The chief editor at Indiewire said on Twitter that it was "light years better than the first & easily one of the best theatrical experiences in ages. Streaming found dead in a ditch."

Photo: 20th Century Studios

Well-known critic Nikki Novak said on Twitter:
"Better than 1st? Easily. The 3D water world & creatures are so surreal it is downright moving. There's a major Titanic homage."

Photo: 20th Century Studios

David Sims of The Atlantic got involved:
“AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER absolutely owns bones. I was slapping my seat, hooting, screaming for the Na’vi to take out every last one of those dang sky people"

Photo: 20th Century Studios

Empire magazine’s Amon Warmann said:
"Many of the storylines feel like they have to stop and start, and the high frame rate was hit & miss for me.
I liked The Way Of The Water more than Avatar 2009, if for nothing else because it has less in-your-face white saviourism than the original."

Photo: 20th Century Studios

Therese Lacson from Collider wrote on Twitter:
"#AvatarTheWayOfWater is an odd combination of spectacle and family drama, returning with more nuance but not any more subtlety. Still, the spectacles are magnificent and the drama is soapy and emotional."

Photo: 20th Century Studios

Cinemablend's Sean O'Connell wrote:
"Never bet against James Cameron. His 'Avatar: The Way of Water' surpasses the original on every level. Incredible visuals, but a much more emotional connection to the characters and story. The final hour is Cameron flexing every muscle, reminding blockbuster filmmakers how it’s done."

Fox's Amanda Salas tweets: "Feliz NA’VIdad indeed! It taps into the heart reminding us of what truly matters in life. Family, home, nature & survival. My top film of the year!"

Photo: 20th Century Studios

Uproxx writer Mike Ryan also adored the production but possibly found it too overwhelming:
"Trying to spare hyperbole, but I’ve never seen anything like this from a technical, visual standpoint. It’s overwhelming. Maybe too overwhelming. Sometimes I’d miss plot points because I’m staring at a Pandora fish."

Photo: 20th Century Studios

Ian Sandwell of Digital Spy struggled with the story:
"Unsurprisingly, The Way of Water is a visual masterpiece with rich use of 3D and breathtaking vistas. It does suffer from a thin story and too many characters to juggle, yet James Cameron pulls it together for an extraordinary final act full of emotion and thrilling action."

Photo: 20th Century Studios

Collider's Perri Nemiroff said:
"As for the story, it's A LOT of movie & I'm eager for a 2nd viewing to revisit some details, but on 1st watch, it's a mighty effective exploration of community & family dynamics. Returning cast is great, but the newcomers are major standouts, particularly Britain Dalton as Lo'ak."

Swedish entertainment journalist Alexander Kardel, wrote on Twitter:
"While #AvatarTheWayOfWater doesn’t really exceed expectations, Cameron's stunning sequel adds a touching family drama. The stakes are higher. New likeable characters take the lead. Prepare to cry for CGI whales and fall in love with the Sully kids. 3 hours never felt so short."

Photo: 20th Century Studios

Entertainment Weekly's Yolanda Machado highlighted the similarities to other movies:
"James Cameron is a technology master… and his direction is at its most precise here. The film as a whole, while a technological marvel with a breathtaking world, is just …. Dances with Wolves and Free Willy for Gen Z!"

Photo: 20th Century Studios

She continued with a vital suggestion for those going to watch it in the cinema:
"Pee beforehand.”

Photo: 20th Century Studios

What's On Disney Plus (@disneyplusnews) said that it was "the most beautiful film I've ever seen. It is an experience that needs to be seen on the big screen & in 3D. I absolutely loved it & I can't wait to watch it again. It's a masterpiece in terms of technical wizardry. Easily my favourite film of the year."

Photo: 20th Century Studios

Comicbook.com's Brandon Davis:
"Being more than 3 hours long, [Avatar 2] is both fulfilling and indulgent. It still ends wanting you to know a third is coming. Constantly a visual feast, creative plays with frame rate, and never boring despite. Overall, I liked it."

'Avatar: The Way of Water' comes to cinemas on December 16th