Avatar: The Way of Water

Write this down. Avatar is the likely winner of this year’s Oscar for Best Picture.

This is a devastating, powerful film that will leave you entranced. Sure, it lasts 3 hours, 12 minutes but I went to see it with 3 friends, the youngest 66, and no one left for the bathroom until the film’s conclusion! I need say no more!

We saw it at one of the best theaters in the world, the museum IMAX in downtown Indianapolis. Wearing 3-D glasses, you watch Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) lead their family to find a location on Pandora to avoid a human threat seeking their destruction.

Jake, a former human now a Na’vi, is confronted by Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang), an old nemesis, who he killed in the first film. He and his former human soldiers are now converted to Na’vis’ seeking vengeance. Lang gives an unforgettable performance as a twisted soul bent on nothing more than the death of Sully.

To survive, Jake, Neytiri and their 4 children flee the forest and are welcomed into an island region. Run by Tonowari (Cliff Curtis) and his wife (an unrecognizable Kate Winslet), they welcome Sully’s family even though it could lead to their own destruction.

Before Quaritch and his sadistic group of killers arrive, you watch Sully’s kids explore the water environment with kids of the native clan called Metkayina. The scenes are stunning as you watch them interrelate with large water beasts known as Tulkuns.

In the process you get to know Sully’s kids. His two sons, Neteyam (Jamie Flatters) and Lo’ak (Britain Dalton) don’t always follow Dad’s advice which leads to trouble. Their daughter Tuk (Trinity Jo-Li- Bliss) is a smart little girl and their adopted daughter Kiri (Sigourney Weaver) is the offspring of Weaver’s character in the first film.

The last half of the film focuses on the battle between Quaritch and the island people. While it is heartbreaking to watch good people die. The killing of the Tulkuns, who are highly intelligent, will bring a tear to your eye.

The plot thickens throughout the entire film. A new character named Spider (Jack Champion), a human that is part of the Na’Vi clan, has a suspected connection to Quaritch that becomes a centerpiece of the film.

In any event, you will love this movie. You will never forget Sully and Neytiri in battle, particularly as she overcomes devastating sadness. On top of that, the soundtrack is captivating.

This is a movie that defines why movie theaters exist.