Director and co-writer James Cameron’s follow-up to his 2009 sci-fi blockbuster returns viewers to the fictional moon Pandora and continues the story of the kick-off’s two principal characters, the avatar of an Earth-born ex-Marine (Sam Worthington) and his Pandoran wife (Zoe Saldaña). When human intruders return to his adopted world in a renewed attempt to exploit it, the warrior becomes the leader of the indigenous resistance. But his high-profile role makes him a target, once again, for the ruthless colonel (Stephen Lang) with whom he clashed in the original. So, together with his family, he retreats to a distant set of islands occupied by a tribe whose lifestyle is centered on the sea. The technically innovative visual flair that helped make the first film the highest grossing feature of all time is present in abundance across a three-hour-plus running time. But themes connecting the proceedings to environmental issues, corporate greed, the fate of Native Americans and the Vietnam War are conveyed in an excessively earnest tone and via some clunky dialogue. More significantly, the local religion, a form of pantheistic goddess worship, is at odds with Christian faith and is not fit fare for the impressionable. Look for: Clan solidarity and love for nature. Look out for: Nonscriptural beliefs and practices, stylized but intense and momentarily disturbing combat, partial nudity, at least one use each of profanity and rough language, a few milder oaths, about a dozen crude terms, several crass expressions, an obscene gesture. The Catholic Moviegoer’s guidance is M – suitable for mature viewers. The Motion Picture Association rating is PG-13 – parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
Avatar: The Way of Water
