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After 13 years, the 2009 billion-dollar hit Avatar has finally gotten its long-awaited sequel. Sequels can be complicated to make. If a film raises curiosity about what could happen next, it makes sense for a sequel to happen. The ending of Avatar fulfills this standard. While most people have been skeptical about Avatar: The Way of Water's potential success, my viewing of the film convinced me that there are plenty of good reasons why it deserves recognition.

While the tone and genre are the same as in the previous movie, the premise is fresh. Avatar: The Way of Water has a fair balance of old and new elements. Even if the concept is familiar, James Cameron applies new themes to tack onto the story and characters.

Prominent themes in the film include family, emigration, racism, and trust. Like the first film, the sequel shows how destructive war can be. However, this film sparks the conversation about invading another nation and the violent tactics used during an invasion. Another message I liked was how it's good for children to guide their parents rather than always just the other way around. Each generation has its differences regarding values and beliefs, which makes it challenging for Jake and Neytiri to trust their children. Fortunately, they learn to build their trust. Cameron manages to take the characters forward with their journeys, both story-wise and with character arcs. Even with characters that died in the previous film, they are not forgotten in the sequel. I was initially skeptical about Miles Quaritch returning after Neytiri killed him at the end of the first film, but I think The Way of Water did a good job handling his resurrection. Well actually, he doesn't entirely return in this film. His memories have been implanted into the body of a Na'vi, which was an exciting concept. New characters like Jake and Neytiri's children were well-written. Spider was a cool and likable character. It was also interesting to see the film expand on the Avatar universe by introducing the Metkayina clan and displaying the beautiful underwater creatures and lifeforms.

The visual effects and cinematography are just as stunning as they were in the first film; they have the potential to earn Oscar nominations. The underwater sequences were both gazing and astonishing. The film has lots of exciting and satisfying action sequences. There were plenty of moments in the movie that were intense and emotional, which were well-made thanks to James Cameron's excellent direction.

While it's sad that James Horner didn't get to compose this film, his replacement Simon Franglen did a fantastic job. I loved The Weeknd's song in the end credits.

In addition to the characters, the performances are excellent, although I'm mixed about Sigourney Weaver playing Kiri. She's the daughter of the late Dr. Grace Augustine, whom Weaver played in the original film, so it makes sense for her to play the role. But still, Weaver is 73. While they could've kept Weaver's facial recognition for motion capture, a younger voice actress would have been more convincing.

The biggest complaint the film is going to receive is its three-hour runtime. A long runtime can only be forgivable if the film uses that time wisely and provides enough content to keep the audience engaged. I believe Avatar: The Way of Water accomplished that. If the storyline and character arcs are essential, the film must take its time. While the beginning was a little rushed, the rest of the film had a good pace.

Overall, Avatar: The Way of Water makes a good sequel, and it was definitely worth the wait. I look forward to the subsequent sequels to witness the continuing journey of our heroes and villains, as well as the expansion of the Avatar universe. The big screen will be the best way to view this film. You can see it in 3D if you want to capture the extraordinary experience; otherwise, Dolby or IMAX are good alternatives. Either way, you'll have a fun experience with this action-packed sci-fi film with excellent storytelling.