Avatar (2009) is a global phenomenon widely regarded as a revolutionary cinematic work. It’s a sci-fi film with the familiar theme of aliens. However, spectacular visuals and a massive scope elevated it to the status of an epic sci-fi film. And the sequel to this was long awaited for its cinematic experience.
This read is about:
- Is it your must story?
- What makes Avatar a global hit?
- Why Avatar: The Way of Water is unlike the Avatar?
Average viewer rating of the Avatar franchise across platforms.
What makes Avatar (2009) a global hit?
As this site is all about stories. Let’s dive in from the context of the storytelling.
- Worldbuilding
The creator’s imagination is commendable. The detailing and overall concepts were remarkably presented. Every detail was meticulously designed and thought through, which shows in the worldbuilding, from the simple yet profound idea of forming a neural bond with species to the concept of network connections throughout the planet, making the world come alive. Avatar has one of the best sci-fi worldbuilding, if not the best, considering it’s not coming from an adaptation. It’s refreshing to see aliens portrayed as characters from a social and emotional standpoint rather than just a scientific representation of single-minded creatures. These two approaches separate it from most sci-fi films we’ve frequently seen or been exposed to.
- Storyline
The story worked well with the setup. An empathic spin on the plot enabled viewers to invest in the characters emotionally. And as always, an origin story is generally fascinating to watch given its predefined format of gradual leveling up. The events were well-timed with a basic narrative structure, focused on the surroundings rather than a deep and complex storyline, which would’ve taken viewers out of the experience. Speaking of experience, which brings us to the next point…
- Experience
The movie experience has a lot to do with its success. It’s a visual delight that can only be experienced and cannot be described, and a prominent part of the film to be emphasized.
Why Avatar: The Way of Water is unlike its predecessor Avatar?
Here, “unlike” puts it mildly; it’s nothing short of the opposite. It’s interesting to see how The Way of Water failed in the areas where it was deemed the best.
- Purposeless
The most common criticism thrown at The Way of Water is its lack of story. To be precise, when we view it in a broader context, it’s not the lack of story, as it’s an adventure for the most part. The main reason is its lack of purpose in the story, which explains its inability to engage the audience. The absence of a compelling and driving purpose stripped away the intentions behind the characters’ actions and rendered the plot events meaningless.
- Pacing
Pacing is nothing but the speed of character development or plot execution. From the narrative perspective, the pacing degraded this movie. In the name of experience, the film focused far too much on the visuals instead of the story execution. And inadequate material aggravated the issue even further.
- Believability
Rules and bounds act as guiding principles in worldbuilding, defining what is and is not possible. This not only helps shape the world but also sets reasonable limitations, which adds to the believability of the audience. Sticking to these rules and boundaries is of the utmost importance. In many ways, the sequel deviates from those rules. The rules can be bent, added, or sometimes even altered depending on the context, but only if well explained. Otherwise, it loses its believability, and the story appears to be at the mercy of the narrator.
- Creativity
Worldbuilding played an immense role in Avatar. It came out as creative genius. The wonderfully unique extraterrestrial world created for Avatar is beyond the underwater world of its sequel. Ironically, The Way of Water couldn’t elevate an already established universe. The creative choices made underwater are not much different from reality. We’re familiar with the wonders housed in the earth’s waters and the splendid spectacles therein. It needed tremendous creativity to create the magic or even surpass the epicness of its predecessor.
Is it your must story?
Avatar has already reached the far corners. It’s a must-watch for everyone. As for Avatar: The Way of Water, it’s not a must-story, but to keep up with the storyline for the upcoming 3rd and possibly 4th part of the franchise, it’s essential. The story has exorbitant potential. Maybe this film can serve as a pilot for the upcoming epic adventure.