MovieChat Forums > Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) Discussion > Can we agree this film is more than just...

Can we agree this film is more than just visuals?


All the recent Marvel and Jurassic Movies had great visuals.

However, none are them coming close to Avatar or Avatar 2 in terms of gross.

Cameron’s genius writing is what is elevating this movie. He created a good story with relatable and likable characters that engaged the public.

The visuals play a huge role, but the story is what made it skyrocket.

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You what?

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I'm yet to watch the Way of Water, but the first one was a retelling of Pocahontas, let's be honest here...
I respect J. Cameron, but the hype is just not deserved on this franchise IMO

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The first one was not a retelling of Pocahontas. There were no blue cat people there and the setting was on planet Earth.

People just like saying this to sound cool. But the truth is, every film takes some inspiration from somewhere else.

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Are we really still on the Pocahontas "argument"? I thought it was "no cultural impact" now. Of course, the fact that midwits can't come up with anything better than that to criticize the movie just proves how good they actually are.

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The story had a LOT of depth AND a lot of great action. The animation was perfection, both in scenery and movement. Truly brilliant.

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Yes it made lots of monies too. It’s obvious what the movie is simply by the the endless posts about money and visuals.

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I'm a huge Cameron stan, and I recently saw this at the cinema, since I had to watch it on IMAX. Suffice to say, I loved it (even though I don't think it's quite on par with the first Avatar movie, mainly because it's lost the novelty value or 'wow' factor, for the most part).

That said, Aliens, and maybe Terminator, apart, I wouldn't say that Cameron was a 'genius' writer. All of his plots are fairly basic, although, to his credit, he does occasionally find some nuances in the characterisations. His skill is as one of the greatest filmmakers of the last 40 years. The visuals in a Cameron film, including, not just the special effects and stunts, but the editing (which is, for me, one of the key components of his success, as it should be with any action film director), cinematography, production design and general world building, are all second to none. And despite his on-set reputation, he is a good director of actors, which is where I think any depth and poignancy found in his films, often derive from. You believe his characters because you believe their emotions.

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It may not be stylish to say, but Cameron is an excellent writer. Sure, Avatar 2 goes a bit off the rails at certain points, but story-wise it’s infinitely better than any other science fiction being made right now (including that in the lower-budgeted realms).

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I think you have it a little backwards. Avatar films are 100% visuals. Story, plot, characters, and the other elements all take a backseat to stunning 3-D. Note that this movie is doing far better internationally than domestically, which is a clear sign that it's long on visuals, short on plot. Cameron's "genius," if one can call it that, is pandering to the lowest common denominator at the box office, and filling seats with people willing to pay for a visual feast without being bothered by having to follow a plot or care about characters.

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And like the first Avatar, an Oscar nom for best pic as well. The ultimate combo: prestige and box office. Those others you mention only manage to muster some of the latter.

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