Initial Reactions to 'Avatar: The Way of Water' Calls the Film a "Visual Masterpiece"

In anticipation of the global release of James Cameron‘s sequel Avatar: The Way of Water, the initial reactions are officially unveiled after the press received access to the world premiere in London. The first reactions to the VFX-heavy film see Avatar 2 gain overwhelmingly positive reviews, with many once again, astonished by Cameron’s boundless imagination.

Many critics including Erik Davis have said that the film is “visually breathtaking, visceral and incredibly engrossing.” Other critics have called it a “visual masterpiece,” absolutely blown away by the fictitious world Cameron has created. Critics like Peri Nemiroff have doubled down on always betting on Cameron and in agreement, Josh Horowitz of the Happy Sad Confused podcast stand their ground on never doubting the legendary director.

While the film runtime is three hours and ten minutes, it has received raving first reactions, even from fellow film icon, Guillermo del Toro. The Oscar winner said that the sequel was “a staggering achievement” and added that it was “a chock-full of majestic vistas and emotions at an epic, epic scale. A master at the peak of his power.” Take a look below at what critics had to say. Avatar: The Way of Water premieres in theaters on December 16.

James Cameron once again shows filmmakers how it’s done. I’ve said it a thousand times. Never doubt him. AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER is how you do epic blockbuster-ing. Emotional, visceral, and as big as movies get. @officialavatar

— Josh Horowitz (@joshuahorowitz) December 6, 2022

Unsurprisingly, #AvatarTheWayOfWater is a visual masterpiece with rich use of 3D and breathtaking vistas. It does suffer from a thin story and too many characters to juggle, yet James Cameron pulls it together for an extraordinary final act full of emotion and thrilling action. pic.twitter.com/opr6CRyOwk

— Ian Sandwell (@ian_sandwell) December 6, 2022

#AvatarTheWayOfWater is pretty incredible. I had faith James Cameron would raise the bar w/ the effects but these visuals are mind-blowing. One stunning frame after the next. But the thing I dug most is how the technical feats always feel in service of character & world-building. pic.twitter.com/MXeN3z8BnP

— Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) December 6, 2022

A staggering achievement- AVATAR TWOW is chokefull of majestic Vistas and emotions at an epic, epic scale. A master at thepeak of his powers… https://t.co/tG6I16JlhM

— Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) November 24, 2022

Avatar: The Way of Water is a never-ending visual spectacle.

It’s a better, more complex story than the first with solid emotion but the characters could grow a bit more. It’s definitely long, running on incredible visuals & techniques which are 3D’s best.#AvatarTheWayOfWater pic.twitter.com/ezySHunXOe

— BD (@BrandonDavisBD) December 6, 2022

Happy to say #AvatarTheWayOfWater is phenomenal! Bigger, better & more emotional than #Avatar, the film is visually breathtaking, visceral & incredibly engrossing. The story, the spectacle, the spirituality, the beauty – this is moviemaking & storytelling at its absolute finest. pic.twitter.com/RicnpDghrx

— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) December 6, 2022

it’s an Avatar movie: slow start, big build, incredibly involving second act with a ton of world building and cool creatures that blisses you way out, then an hour of screamingly good crystal clear emotionally trenchant action to send you home full and happy

— David Sims (@davidlsims) December 6, 2022

I was, uh, not exactly champing at the bit for an Avatar 2 (even if “James Cameron + wet” tends to work out pretty well). now I can’t *wait* to see Avatar 3. that’s basically all I wanted out of this and it delivered in a big way.

— david ehrlich (@davidehrlich) December 6, 2022

Avatar: The Way of Water – Like remembering you can dream. To breathe, cry. To believe in hope again. What was once lost is found again. #InCameronWeTrust

— Alex B. (@firstshowing) December 6, 2022

AVATAR THE WAY OF WATER is a technical marvel that reminds you "OH CG CAN BE GOOD!" Visually, it was worth the long ass wait cause my breath was constantly tooketh. Themes are HEAVILY recycled but pushed further due to the inclusion of the Sully kids who are all good additions. pic.twitter.com/tc7KYQuSGD

— Rendy Jones (@rendy_jones) December 6, 2022

If you loved how Top Gun: Maverick wore its heart on its sleeve and told its story with the utmost sincerity, then Avatar: The Way of Water will speak to you. It comes from a deeply rooted love and joy, and James Cameron knows exactly how to translate that into a universal epic. pic.twitter.com/PLacWqjji8

— kevin l. lee (@Klee_FilmReview) December 7, 2022

AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER — visually stunning with a vastly improved script, overlong but so what. The plot interested me less than the world exploration and rich family dynamics. And a tiny corner of me felt I was watching both the future of cinema and the death of movies.

— tyburr@mastodon.online (@tyburr) December 7, 2022

Avatar: The Way Of Water is gonna really be my favorite film of the year, isn’t it?

So beyond thankful and happy that it’s getting nothing but extremely high praise. Never doubt James Cameron. pic.twitter.com/HNRVFslXAt

— jacob. ❄️ (@jtimsuggs) December 6, 2022

AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER: Struggles at first to find its footing and loses some of it in the end but everything in between is pretty spectacular. Has the passion and personal touch that the first movie lacked. James loves his water.

— Brian Tallerico (@Brian_Tallerico) December 7, 2022

Avatar: The Way of Water left me breathless. Visually stunning, emotionally overwhelming, with some of the most impressive sustained action scenes I’ve ever seen. The performances are incredible too, especially by all the kids. Wow. James Cameron truly doesn’t miss. #Avatar pic.twitter.com/GdwSnZYPYz

— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) December 7, 2022

Avatar: The Way of Water is a film to be admired more than loved – some remarkable spectacle, some throwback to Titanic set pieces, some really lovely visual flourishes. But it’s also interminably, ploddingly overlong, and more impressive than truly absorbing.

— Christina Newland (@christinalefou) December 6, 2022

Avatar: The Way of Water is an EPIC, STUNNING, CINEMATIC ADVENTURE. It delivers on both action & heart while giving fans an intriguing story that feels earned & warranted. Never doubt James Cameron. Biggest issue: feels like a stepping stone for what's next.#AvatarTheWayofWater pic.twitter.com/dQBEfBkN7z

— Tessa Smith – Mama's Geeky (@MamasGeeky) December 6, 2022

Avatar: The Way of Water was worth waiting for. Family drama and war movie combine for an extraordinary aerial and underwater E-ride with jaw-dropping VFX. Joe Letteri can claim that win now.

— Anne Thompson (@akstanwyck) December 7, 2022

AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER: Yeah never bet against James Cameron. Trying to spare hyperbole, but I’ve never seen anything like this from a technical, visual standpoint. It’s overwhelming. Maybe too overwhelming. Sometimes I’d miss plot points because I’m staring at a Pandora fish

— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) December 6, 2022

As someone who LIKED — but didn't LOVE — the first AVATAR, let me tell you:

AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER blew me away.

Vastly superior in visuals, story telling and performances, the sequel left my jaw on the ground for the entire runtime.

James Cameron is the GOD of sequels. pic.twitter.com/1cw6C94O4f

— Jake Hamilton (@JakesTakes) December 6, 2022

Also, it is absolutely mind-boggling that…none of this stuff exists. I can’t wrap my head around it.

— Bilge Ebiri (@BilgeEbiri) December 7, 2022

In other entertainment news, Keanu Reeves has revealed John Wick: Chapter 4 is “the hardest movie I’ve ever made.”