"Avatar: The Way Of Water": An Experience I Wish I Could Forget

 "Avatar: The Way Of Water": Movie Review

Written By Alex Greenbaum

Do you know anyone you've encountered in your day-to-day life who loves "Avatar"? The first installment was released in 2009, and film critics were enamored with its technological advances. Yet I can't think of one person I knew who saw the film and was floored by it. As I remain puzzled by its ghostly box office popularity, "Avatar: The Way Of Water" is an IMAX 3D experience I wish I could forget. 

There is a plethora of directors who get unfair press because of their cliched directorial styles. Michael Bay first comes to mind with his "Transformer" series; albeit brainless, he remains cognizant of its many flaws. James Cameron is often a superior director to Bay as he's crafted some of the most classic films in the 20th Century with "Aliens" and "Terminator 2: Judgement Day". Still, Cameron is rarely called out on poor dialogue and odd technical decisions, such as why "Avatar: The Way Of Water" switches between 48 and 24 frames per second? The 48 frames look inconceivably awful, and the alternating between both becomes nauseating. 

With a cast that stretches from the likes of Kate Winslet to Sigourney Weaver, expectations are raised. However, most of the time, we are inundated with some of the cheesiest performances I've witnessed in years, but it isn't necessary to flesh out my frustrations further. The second installation in the "Avatar" franchise is a visual effects headache with a boneheaded script/narrative and acting that made me squirm (I'm looking at you, Spider). Cameron is a talented filmmaker, but I'm afraid this "Avatar" franchise is beyond saving. 

1/2 Star Out Of 4