Avatar 2: The Sense of Waterthrough his advances, made it clear that the film is a comprehensive and much more complex look to the remembered universe that dazzled the world in 2009. But, at the same time, that James Cameron seems to have learned from his mistakes and solved several of the problems that were blamed on him film original. Among them, having soft characters, a simple story to the trivial and excessively relying on human conflict to deepen its narrative.
In fact, Avatar 2: The Sense of Water it seems driven by a vitality quite independent of the success from which it came. What the different trailers have shown so far is the quality of storytelling intended to delve into a complex universe. Not only through a tour of the special characteristics of its ecosystem or new places.
Also, there is a definite interest in his characters, relationships and the way they face such a future. A novelty that shows to what extent James Cameron carefully analyzed the panorama and how far he wants to go with the saga.
A new look at an unknown map
Of course, the emphasis on new story points demonstrates Cameron’s perception of Avatar as a whole thanks to its sequels. The first story was never intended as unique, nor was it separated from what is a much broader and deeper universe. By the time the original film was released in 2009, the director had already envisioned—and written a draft—of the possible sequel.
But due to numerous delays, the need for state-of-the-art technology and complex filming, Avatar 2: The Water Sense it will be released thirteen years later. Still, the long wait seems to have allowed the story to mature in surprisingly effective new directions. At least, in three of the points that, for years, were criticized and pointed out as the weakest parts of his argument.
Avatar 2: The Water Sense will show an emotional world as rich and varied as the real one
One of the biggest criticisms he received Avatar was the superficiality of his characters. In the worst case, the unclear way in which conflicts involving dramas with a high emotional spectrum were narrated, through stereotypes.
Sam Worthington’s Jake Sully compared himself to the leads in Dance with wolves either The last Samurai. Also, the context that surrounded him —the colonizer who ends up feeling appreciation, love and respect for a foreign culture— and his motivations. The same was raised with respect to the character played by Sigourney Weaver, who became the umpteenth version of the bridge between two cultures.
But especially his villains they were objects of concern because of their two-dimensional quality, simplified to a worrying extreme. From Quaritch played by Stephen Lang – the military danger – to Parker (Giovanni Ribisi) and the corporate world’s version of him. Everything in the field of Avatar seemed hackneyed or deepened on more than one occasion.
However, in Avatar 2: The Water Sense it seems that bringing in the family of Jake Sully and Neytiri will provide a broader exploration of the emotional world of the plot. Also, a way to understand with greater elegance and sensitivity the various connections and versions of the motivations of their characters. A necessary addition to sustain a deeper discourse about the great themes of history.
A new perspective on Pandora as home to diverse creatures
One of the points that disappointed in Avatar was that, despite showing the possibility of an amazing world, he limited himself to telling a very specific story. Also, one with more emphasis on the battle between colonizers and the native population that he ignored, which seemed to be an astonishing wealth in the cultural realm.
The brief insight into the life of the Na’vi, their customs, religion, beliefs and historical ties, dazzled. So it was puzzling that Cameron didn’t take a more careful tour of such a map with more attention to detail.
Avatar 2: The Water Sense seems to vindicate the situation, by showing what looks like a journey into the deepest borders of Pandora. Also, in the most unique spaces of it. In fact, his plot links the main story to the Metkayina, the oceanic tribes of the territory. A plot twist that will give a new relief to the culture of the planet. Something in which Cameron is especially interested, by broadening the perception of the anthropological meaning of his story.
Avatar 2: The Water Sense: a story more attentive to its most subtle conflicts
Although it is evident that the human remains a point of interest in the history, Avatar 2: the little trail of water it is less interested in the realm of colonizers. Which will allow the narrative not to depend on the idea — not completely — of a contrast between cultures.
There will be a conflict in Avatar 2: The Water Sense —and undoubtedly related to the greed of companies and corporations—, but this time Pandora is the center of the narrative. So much so that it becomes more and more elaborate as a setting and more powerful as an essential center to sustain the future complete saga. Perhaps, one of the most elaborate points of the new story that is about to reach the cinema.