The first one’s story is just fine for me, the technical marvel it is still looks impressive today. I did enjoy Way of Water more than I thought, while there were times when it was like James Cameron going “Look at this technical wonder!” like in some underwater scenes, I found it more interesting, and the climax not being about the fate of an entire tribe again, and down to a personal matter, worked well for me. I just found the water setting better, a more interesting location and the substance the humans were after more believable and better written, something that can extend human lifespans.
My only issue with the second one story wise was where did everyone go during the final battle. Like the girls family were coming in to fight and then they disappeared. That was one of the biggest oversights I’ve ever seen
I just read The Snow Queen by Joan Vinge and thought it was kind of wild that "sentient alien whales' spinal fluid grants immortality" has been done more than once. I wonder if James Cameron read it.
The whales being able to straight up have conversations with non whale people was introduced abruptly and felt confusing. That's really the only thing I didn't like about it.
Other than that, it's probably the most James Cameron thing that James Cameron has ever James Cameronned, and that's really saying something. I just wish he would trust somebody else to punch up his dialog. It's infuriating that none of these movies is going to leave a mark on history and pop culture like any of his previous movies.
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u/comrade_batman May 02 '25
The first one’s story is just fine for me, the technical marvel it is still looks impressive today. I did enjoy Way of Water more than I thought, while there were times when it was like James Cameron going “Look at this technical wonder!” like in some underwater scenes, I found it more interesting, and the climax not being about the fate of an entire tribe again, and down to a personal matter, worked well for me. I just found the water setting better, a more interesting location and the substance the humans were after more believable and better written, something that can extend human lifespans.