‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ is an “Automatic Best Picture Contender”?

James Cameron’s ‘Avatar’ sequel screened to very positive notices yesterday afternoon. Are we surprised? Not really. The reactions all seem fairly similar — story is not its strength, but it’s better than the plot of the 2009 original. Visually, it’s an obvious improvement given the technology has improved the last decade plus.

So far, you basically just have The Guardian’s Peter Bradshaw not down with this movie. Critics who really liked it include Davis Ehrlich, Bilge Ebiri, David Sims, Jake Cole and Mike Ryan.

From a writer friend:

“The first hour is a real chore to sit through, story-wise, a lot of set-up but incredible visuals and then the story HITS HARD. It marvellously sucks you into its story. I haven’t had this kind of theatrical experience in a very long time. James Cameron somehow wows you with what is essentially a very familiar plot, as old as time, and it totally works. Again, visually it’s second to none, I can’t emphasize enough how “magical” the whole experience is. As for Oscars, it’s an automatic Best Picture contender. No way this doesn’t get in. I don’t think it can win but honestly you never know. It will get great reviews and make an inordinate amount of money. It’s the perfect combo of art and commerce.”

I won’t be catching ‘The Way of Water’ until next Monday. However, all signs are indicating it’ll get into the Best Picture field of ten nominees. I don’t want to confirm or deny this since I haven’t seen it yet, but suppose it is in …

That means we currently have “The Fabelmans,” “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” “Top Gun: Maverick,” “The Banshees of Inisherin,” “TÁR,” “Elvis,” “Women Talking” and “Avatar: The Way of Water” as practically locked. That’s eight movies.

The last two spots will be fought out between seven titles: “Babylon,” “The Woman King,” “Glass Onion,” “She Said,” “Thirteen Lives” “The Whale” and “Triangle of Sadness.”