Avatar: The Way of Water<\/a>, James Cameron\u2019s belated sequel to his own 2009 sci-fi blockbuster. With its bioluminescent flora and fauna, its enchanting creatures, and its stunning vistas, Pandora remains an immersive world in which to lose oneself.<\/p>\nFor all the majesty of its setting, though, this long and somewhat meandering sequel frequently struggles to match its visuals with an emotionally satisfying story.<\/p>\n
Set years after the events of Avatar, the film picks up with chieftain Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Salda\u00f1a) as they raise their young family. Dutiful eldest son Neteyam (Jamie Flatters) is often caught between his parents and his tearaway brother Lo\u2019ak (Britain Dalton), while Kiri (Sigourney Weaver) is a sensitive enigma whose birth is shrouded in mystery.<\/p>\n
When humans return to the moon, more determined than ever to claim it as a new base for mankind, Jake and his family are forced to flee their jungle home. They find sanctuary with the Metkayina clan, an oceanic tribe that lives on one of the many islands of Pandora. But with the humans on a mission to kill Jake, it\u2019s not long before war breaks out once more.<\/p>\n
Having directed two of the most successful sequels of all time (Aliens and Terminator: Judgment Day), Cameron has form with follow-ups \u2013 and Avatar: The Way of Water is packed to the gills with exactly the kind of spectacle you expect from the blockbuster director. Between a na\u2019vi sea assault and a genuinely nerve-shredding climax, the film delivers action on a massive scale.<\/p>