Episode 86: Avatar & Avatar: The Way Of Water

Nothing says Christmas quite like bioluminescent flora and fauna… What? Don’t believe me? Well, what do you call Rudolph? And what abomination are you trying to create by throwing those multicoloured lights on that pine tree?! This week, we’re revisiting another colourful planet (from the mind of Big Jim, no less) that’s filled with ten foot tall blue-skinned cat people called the Na’vi, huge flying reptiles, space whales, genetic freaks, breathtaking vistas, amazing action set pieces, and so much more. It seems fitting with the recent release of “Avatar: The Way Of Water” that we take a look at the “Avatar” franchise and really explore what these films are brought and are bringing to the table. Sure, the dialogue and the plot might be a little thin… but you cannot overstate the importance of these films and their influence on cinema. They’re also gorgeous. So, why not go to Pandora for your Christmas holiday? You can visit the boughs of Home Tree or head out to the lush, tropical islands and reefs that the Metkayina clan call home. Dive in, the water is nice. You might even make a new friend (who will help you go Moby Dick mode on your enemies later on). Really though… 2009’s “Avatar” was (and still is) the highest grossing film of all time. That alone says something. Everyone saw it. It was a movie-going experience that not only entertained but it also pushed cinematic technology forward in so many ways. Motion capture, CGI, RealD 3D cameras and technology, etc. All of this is due to this movie. Starring Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Michelle Rodriguez, Stephen Lang, Giovanni Ribisi, and more, this film has aged incredibly well and it still looks excellent. It was a critical and commercial success and a cinematic experience unrivalled until the coming of “Avengers: Endgame”. On top of that, the lore and world of Pandora is so deep, complex, luscious, and mind-bogglingly beautiful. We break down the production of the film, the plot, and the prevalent themes of anti-imperialism, anti-colonialism, and environmentalism in the film. We also unpack the influence of “Avatar” across cinema, explore the technology created for this film and how it changed movie-making, muse on the many excellent films that wouldn’t have been made without this movie coming first, and a bunch more. Don’t worry, we also share some of the negative critical responses and our own nitpicks as well. It’s definitely not a perfect movie but it is a perfect spectacle and sometimes that is more than enough. Then we switch gears and share our thoughts on the sequel “Avatar: The Way Of Water”, which was released very recently, and share our experience returning to Pandora and watching the film on the big screen. Again directed by James Cameron, this film brought back most of the cast from the original along with some new faces (one played by Kate Winslet, who broke the record for longest breath held in an underwater take). We try not to spoil too much, instead choosing to share our thoughts on what we liked, what we didn’t, that INSANE last hour of white-knuckle action, Crab Mechs, blood rage, that adopted human kid who swears all the time, space whales, and more. Also, Sigourney Weaver is back as a 15 year old Na’vi who might be Jesus? Yeah. Ok. We’re still in, Big Jim. Take the reins! We also discuss the future of the franchise, make some guesses about where Big Jim is taking the Sully family, take a look at some other Pandora-related releases coming soon, and PALMREADER shares hid story of interrupting a sensual moment between two Na’vi at a Halloween party. We’ll be back next week with the Bird Report for 2022. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, homies! INITIATE BIRD PROTOCOL! Follow us on Instagram! Instagram: @palmreadr @otismorrisdude