Avatar: The Sense of Water — The Debate Over Spectacle and Substance

Polarization surrounds a new wave of discussion about Avatar: The Sense of Water, released thirteen years after the blockbuster that made James Cameron a global anchor for cinema. The latest visit to Pandora divides audiences: some see a glamorous spectacle, others deem it a hollow spectacle. Journalists from EL PERIÓDICO DE CATALUNYA, part of the Prensa Ibérica group, join the dialogue and discuss the film in a face-to-face exchange on The Feeling of Water.

in favor of

An extraordinary hallucinogenic sensation, by Julian García

Even a skeptic of Avatar (2009) might change their mind after watching Avatar: The Sense of Water in 2022. The first movie remains the highest-grossing title ever, approaching three billion dollars worldwide, yet many critics still express disgust, branding the film as a blue-hued misstep and a change that cinema history did not need. Some simply decide not to waste their time.

Or perhaps there is value to reconsideration. The franchise has always drawn attention for its intergalactic journeys to Pandora, and while the script for this second chapter might seem lean, the film offers a powerful sensory experience. It remains a vivid, hallucinogenic display, a pure visual ride that can awaken a long-dormant sense of wonder.

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 message about ecology and anti-colonialism delivered more through imagery than through conventional storytelling. Yet the cinematic event feels immersive, even if some elements feel more about spectacle than substance. The technology is dazzling, projecting a future where 3D and high-fidelity imagery pull audiences into a dreamlike space, a place where logic steps aside for wonder and scale. From the earlier signature moments 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 offers 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.

A still from James Cameron’s Avatar: The Sense of Water. © 20th CENTURY STUDIOS

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 continued passion for pushing 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 itself 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 not merely a film; it is a large-scale event. 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 demonstrated that a fantasy story could be told through meticulous technical craft, though fresh as a debut, the newer chapters may age more sharply.

Yet the core challenge 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 audiences may crave a more grounded narrative that transcends visuals. If the series continues with additional chapters through 2028, the long view suggests these entries might not retain their initial impact as technology advances.

A still from James Cameron’s Avatar: The Sense of Water. © 20th CENTURY FOX

What matters is not only the spectacular shots but how convincingly the story breathes alongside them. The last act, while visually striking, may overlook deeper themes, leaning on grandiose sequences rather than a cohesive emotional thread. The environmental message remains present but often feels framed by the spectacle, undermining its potential 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 this kind of project lies in overreliance on technology, where the risk of fatigue grows as the spectacle compounds. If the director had focused more on narrative depth, the result could have balanced technical prowess with a lasting emotional takeaway.

Overall, Avatar: The Sense of Water exists 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.