Polarization surrounds a fresh wave of discourse around Avatar: The Sense of Water, released thirteen years after the blockbuster that turned James Cameron into a cinematic beacon. The latest voyage to Pandora divides audiences here in North America and beyond: some call it a glamorous spectacle, others deem it a hollow one. Journalists from EL PERIÓDICO DE C Catalyuna, part of the Prensa Ibérica group, join the dialogue with a face-to-face discussion about the film on The Feeling of Water.
in favor of
An extraordinary hallucinogenic sensation, by Julian García
Even a skeptic of Avatar (2009) might shift perspective after witnessing Avatar: The Sense of Water, released in 2022. The first film remains the top worldwide earner, nearing three billion dollars, yet many critics still view it as a blue-hued misstep that cinema history could probably have done without. Some simply decide not to invest time in it.
Perhaps there is value in reconsideration. The franchise has always drawn attention for its intergalactic journeys to Pandora, and while the script for this second chapter may feel lean, the film delivers a powerful sensory experience. It stands as a vivid, hallucinogenic display, a pure visual ride that can awaken a long-dormant sense of awe.
A still from James Cameron’s Avatar: The Sense of Water. © 20th CENTURY STUDIOS
There is little in the way of a traditional plot, and some may find the ecological and anti-colonial messages conveyed more through imagery than through conventional storytelling. Yet the cinematic event feels immersive, even if certain elements lean toward spectacle rather than substance. The technology dazzles, projecting a future where 3D and high-fidelity imagery pull audiences into a dreamlike space, where logic steps aside for wonder and scale. From earlier signature arrivals that linked To The Abyss and Titanic to this new spectacle, Cameron’s approach remains unmistakable.
In the end, the film offers a consolidated experience that can be enjoyed in theaters with a blanket of awe. It may not rewrite cinema history, but it provides a strong reason to visit the cinema and witness a technical achievement that still feels ahead of its time. The sense of wonder lingers, a reminder that extraordinary visuals can still captivate audiences today.
There is a sense of maximalism in the spectacle, with a relentless pace and a focus on truly immersive visuals that push the boundaries of 3D and CGI. The film demonstrates Cameron’s ongoing drive to push cinematic boundaries, even as some debate the balance between style and substance. Fans and newcomers alike will find a theater experience that feels like stepping into another world, where the screen becomes a doorway to wonder.
The long-awaited sequel to Avatar returns to the box office after 13 years of success.
Against
A great technician with little to say, by Quim Casas
The second Avatar is more a grand event than a simple film. Its strength lies in technology rather than emotional storytelling, with projections on nearly two thousand screens across Spain in its opening week, including Imax and 3D venues. In the early days of digital effects, Cameron showed that a fantasy tale could be told through meticulous technical craft; in newer chapters, the impact may fade as novelty wanes.
Yet the core question remains: beyond the effects, can the film sustain believability and emotional engagement? The director’s ambition to stretch three-dimensionality to its outer limits is evident, yet some viewers may crave a more grounded narrative that transcends visuals. If the series advances with additional chapters through 2028, the long view suggests these entries might not retain their initial brilliance as technology evolves.
What matters is not only the spectacular shots but how convincingly the story breathes beside them. The final act, while visually striking, may overlook deeper themes, leaning on grand sequences rather than a cohesive emotional thread. The environmental message remains present but often feels wrapped around the spectacle, diminishing its ability to persuade beyond awe.
A still image from Avatar: The Sense of Water in Spain reflects the broad theatrical push. Cameron believes in cinematic scale, and in the post-pandemic era, theaters have shown resilience, aided by large-format experiences. Still, the risk with projects like this lies in overreliance on technology, where fatigue grows as the spectacle compounds. Had the director emphasized narrative depth, the result could have balanced technical prowess with a lasting emotional takeaway.
Overall, Avatar: The Sense of Water stands as a monumental, visually arresting achievement. It invites audiences to suspend disbelief and momentarily escape into a planet of luminous seas and vast skies, offering a rare kind of cinematic immersion that only a handful of filmmakers can deliver.
Avatar: The Sense of Water sold 150,000 tickets in 416 theaters in Spain. The film’s box office strength underscores Cameron’s status as a master of large-scale cinema, with audiences continuing to seek out spectacular experiences long after the pandemic. Yet the work also raises questions about the balance between spectacle and narrative depth, reminding viewers that sometimes a bold technical vision can outshine a more intimate storytelling approach. In the end, the decision to watch rests with the viewer — a choice between a dazzling, immersive ride and a story that resonates as deeply as the visuals.