The Way Of Water’ first reactions praise “phenomenal” sequel

Avatar: The Way Of Water has received overwhelmingly positive reactions after being screened for critics.

The sequel to 2009’s Avatar had its world premiere in London on Tuesday (December 6), which was attended by director James Cameron and the entire cast including Sigourney Weaver, Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana and Kate Winslet.

• READ MORE: ‘Avatar 2’: Everything we know about the upcoming sci-fi epic

Prior to the premiere, director Guillermo del Toro described the film as a “staggering achievement”, adding: “Avatar TWOW is chokefull of majestic Vistas and emotions at an epic, epic scale. A master at the peak of his powers.”

Following the premiere, reactions from critics were similarly gushing. Josh Horowitz wrote: “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.”

Uproxx’s Mike Ryan wrote: “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.”

You can check out more reactions below.

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

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

Avatar The Way of Water: lol imagine being dumb enough to bet against James Cameron. or teen alien Sigourney Weaver. or giant whales subtitled in papyrus.

light years better than the first & easily one of the best theatrical experiences in ages. streaming found dead in a ditch.

— david ehrlich (@davidehrlich) December 6, 2022

AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER might be James Cameron’s sweetest, gentlest, most personal film. Possibly even his most emotional. It revisits all his greatest hits, but it’s always totally sincere. He is never leaving Pandora. He loves this family. By the end, I did, too.

— Bilge Ebiri (@BilgeEbiri) December 7, 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

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

Have now seen #Avatar twice and am overwhelmed by both its technical mastery and unexpectedly intimate emotional scope. Yes the world is expanded and sequels teased but the characters are most important. Cameron is in top form, especially in final act. Good to have him back. 🐟 pic.twitter.com/PR9drN5Zph

— Drew Taylor (@DrewTailored) December 6, 2022

Last month, Cameron described the production budget on Avatar: The Way Of Water as “very fucking expensive”. Industry experts have estimated the sequel’s budget is somewhere between $350million (£292.4million) and $400million (£334million), making it one of the most expensive films of all time.

This is the first of four sequels planned for the original Avatar, with the following three set to be released in 2024, 2026 and 2028 respectively. Cameron has previously suggested he might not direct the fourth installment in the franchise.

Avatar: The Way Of Water will be released in cinemas on December 16.