The review contains spoilers. We waited. Yeah, I don't believe it either, but I saw Avatar: The Way of Water in the cinema, and after 13 years, James Cameron brings us a sequel to the most successful film of all time. And here are my thoughts, there are plenty of them. I'll start with by far the best part of the entire film, and that is without a doubt the visual aspect of the film - CGI. The visual effects are possibly the best I've ever seen in a movie. The water that is found in this film in a really big way is photorealistic but in a newsy way. Even on CGI characters, it looks perfect and I wondered how Cameron could do it again. It can be seen that he really wants to be the best in this and he is succeeding. Sure, the movie apparently cost almost half a billion dollars, even if it looks bad, but Cameron squeezed the money 180% and it shows in every money shot. The whole movie is one big highlight visual. Admirable and groundbreaking. Those fish and all kinds of monsters in that sea looked absolutely wonderful, and about the second third of the film shows us all of it in full splendor. All those animals, plants, and sky - beauty. And this admiration of the world really does not get tired, because Cameron staged the film in a really exemplary way. The 192 minutes went by pretty much painlessly and I didn't feel that at any point the film suffered from a lack of fun. But for that, I think that the film suffers a lot in one thing, and that's exactly why it's not full fire from me this time - the script and the plot itself. I really don't want to claim that the film has the same story as in the unit, but - it actually does. And unfortunately, I also have the feeling that nothing extra was resolved in this movie, or I didn't feel any great catharsis after watching the movie. Don't get me wrong, the third act is fun and even Neytiri herself goes full-Rambo-mode here, I enjoyed it immensely, but the events leading up to it seemed generic to me, and from the script, I really feel that it is outdated in terms of originality and innovation. We've seen this before and I understand that the visual side has moved on and that Avatar got a sequel, but this type of scenario can no longer work at the top level. Jake and his family are in danger, and Quaritch threatens to kill the descendants in one piece, the least interesting of them, Neteyam, dies at the end, and after Jake vs. Quaritch wins Jake. Great, but Spider saves Quaritch and we get him in the top three?! I needed something more. Quaritch is a black-and-white villain who logically came back, but here Cameron should have killed him, which makes the movie feel slightly anti-climactic and unnecessary. And why Spider saved him at the end makes a bit of sense, he's his father, and blah blah, but it absolutely doesn't work for the movie. The resulting experience was still extremely positive and I'm really looking forward to the third, but I won't forgive Cameron there. He knows, how to shot a movie with such quality and create new technologies whenever he wants, but the pen has probably stopped writing properly on paper, it needs to be replaced quickly because I also want a luxurious story in such a luxurious coat. Otherwise, the idea of another tribe is great and I'm glad that I want to learn more about that world. Lo'ak grew on me and I hope he gets the most space from the children in the next films (and replaces Jake?). But what concerns the action scenes, the camera, the shooting, the pace - there Cameron is still different. In these ways, it is the king and will remain the king, but again - I want a better story. But I'm still glad I saw the movie in 3D, even though I felt a bit like the edges of the screen were darkened by my glasses, which created the effect of making the screen feel smaller. By that I mean, feel free to go for 3D, it's great, but I don't think you can go wrong with 2D. I'm looking forward to it anyway, these are movie events that are still saving cinemas, so all credit to Cameron. It doesn't shoot much, but when it does, everyone goes to it. Just don't let the paper rustle like that next time.
Reviews
72 Reviews
Tár
(2022)
ÁRT
3 December 2022
Field's opus missed me. I'll start with a positive: the film is incredibly well-directed and edited. I really appreciate this and acknowledge the qualities because I wanted to love the movie until the last second. Cate Blanchett is convincing, authentic, and simply gorgeous, she deserves an Oscar and I have absolutely nothing against her performance. Great acting performance. But otherwise, the film didn't speak to me in any other way, I take it as a brilliantly filmed pretense in which nothing much happens and which, as a result, rather just led me by the nose and told me at all costs "you have to love this, look, I'm an Oscar-bait who is above the matter". Kind of like the Power of the Dog a year ago. Of course, this also made me tired due to the length of the movie, but maybe I can imagine a 2-hour version in the style of Whiplash, where the film would punch me in the chin with gradual grading. Here, the knockout is present, but it didn't fit me. But I wish everyone will love this movie very much, but unfortunately this time, it's not me.
Aftersun
(II) (2022)
Aftersun is... I don't really know.
25 November 2022
I am... actually speechless. And not because I cried, but because I don't know what to feel. I have a lot of thoughts after watching this movie, but I don't know how to grasp them. It's a very strange feeling I have witnessed only from a few movies I've watched in my life, and it isn't necessarily a bad feeling, but I'm just confused. A lot of things here are absolutely outstanding - the direction, the bond between the two main characters, and the screenplay. All this is great, I was entertained - in a very strange way. I maybe need a rewatch, I have to be older to fully appreciate the movie, but from the first watch, I'm more confused than pleased. But I would recommend watching it nonetheless, it's a beautiful piece of cinema for sure.
Swiss Army Man
(2016)
Fart - art.
16 November 2022
Have to watch this one after Everything Everywhere All at Once and oh boy do these guys know how to direct a fun, weird, and super-entertaining movie. Of course, it's worse than the subsequent one and of course, it's a bit of a goofy movie, but it has the most important thing of all - heart! And I was entertained as hell by this, because the story, dialogue, two main actors, and the overall feel of this movie felt so right, very weird, but very right. It has the right pay-offs (Jurassic Park!) and a lot of great ideas, thought-provoking dialogue all over the place, and I understand that someone might find this weirdly shallow, but nope, I felt the love in it. It's very brave to film a movie like that because it contains a lot of unconvential storytelling elements that might not fit in some other movies, but in this, it was just perfect to fully love the movie. I adore these guys and I cannot wait for their next project.
All Quiet on the Western Front - Review
1 November 2022
It's tough. I was expecting a war masterpiece of the year, and I am very sad to announce that - it isn't. There are many problems here - first of all, it was pretty hard to emotionally connect to the characters. It wasn't interesting enough and yet I understand that the movie is telling me the war is bad, it didn't surprise me in any way. But, I enjoyed it anyway because it looks absolutely amazing. Yeah, I know, the cinematography isn't everything, but for me, the movie can kind of redeem itself through this element. I just loved the camera work here, it's outstanding. But of course, I cannot fully appreciate the movie without proper emotions. Paul's actor was great, but the character wasn't interesting enough and his decisions with other characters didn't make a lot of sense (egg stealing). I know, it's war, and people behaved irrationally, but here, it concerned me a little, not gonna lie. The best scene - the one with tanks, mesmerizing sequence. 1917 pulled off WWI a lot better.
Barbarian
(2022)
Barbarian - Review
1 November 2022
Really nice horror experience. Loved the first act, Skarsgård's character was really interesting and I was just guessing whether he's or he isn't the main villain, but I quickly realize that it would be very transparent and boring, so I was just curious about what will happen next. Loved the unpredictability of the movie, I was expecting absolutely everything in the first half and that first half is the best thing that happened to this movie. Without any spoilers, I'll just say that there are 3 stories and they merge into one at the end of the movie. And yes, my issue is the last act isn't as strong as the first. Loved the twist at the end of the first act, but later in the movie, yeah, it's still a lot of fun, but it just isn't that good like the first. But goddamn hell yeah this is a good-ass horror movie, watched it with my brother, and he also very liked it.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest - Review
28 October 2022
What a fun blockbuster. A little worse than the first one, but still an extremely enjoyable ride, with one of the best CGI ever. Like, how they did it like this in 2006?! Davy Jones looks absolutely amazing! Like, literally the best-looking CGI character maybe ever in any movie and I mean that. So with that, it was very easy to get along with the plot and characters all throughout. I love the fact that it is possible to feel the decency of the director in the movie. Everything here is treated with care and every decision is making sense. I think that that's how the true adventure blockbuster should have to be treated - truly excellent CGI, an interesting plot with a fun screenplay, likable characters, playful romance, and just a simple sense of a great adventure. I'm looking forward to the next one, although I've heard that it won't be that good. We'll see. I trust Verbinski.
Banger.
(2022)
Banger - Review
23 October 2022
The most ambitious Czech movie in the past years. Thirilly enjoyed this one, it's outstanding in its visuals and camera work, which is at first sight very strange and you just have to used to it, but when you do, it's a really mesmerizing and authentic experience from the Czech drug underground. Absolutely love the cast, the two main protagonists are extremely funny and I just really admire these two young actors and how good they were in their roles. Brilliant casting. The plot is very intriguing, not the smartest in the world, but it has that important sense of urgency that you need in this type of movie. Very Uncut Gems vibes, which is in my top 10 ever, so you can imagine how happy I was that a movie like this was made here, in Europe. Really loved this one and I really hope that this movie will see a lot more people outside Europe because it totally deserves your attention.
Paths of Glory
(1957)
Paths of Glory - Review
17 October 2022
Low-tier Kubrick, but it's a good movie for sure. This is like a lite 12 Angry Men, so it's, y'know, really engaging and super-fun to watch. Liked the battle in the first half, the performances are strong, the writing is monumental, very Kubricky, so it's very good. Loved the conflict between the soldiers. But it's not much this movie, that's why I'm not very enthusiastic about this one. It's surely a nice little war movie, but nothing more. And holy smoke the movie looks spectacular, and it's from 1957, but yeah, it's Kubrick, what am I even expecting, right? So yeah, I have to watch every Kubrick movie, there are like few of them for me to complete his filmography. And yeah, Paths of Glory is definitely one of the better Kubrick movies.
Little Miss Sunshine
(2006)
Little Miss Sunshine - Review
17 October 2022
So nice and fun. Extremely likable characters all around, and the grandpa was so hilarious, oh my God! What a performance! And Steven Carell, and Toni Collete, and - you get the point, everybody here is amazing. Loved the road-trip aspect of the movie, it was very adventurous and very enjoyable, I adore the script, every character has some development, especially Dano's, absolutely incredible. I am so happy that this has won the screenplay, it is very playful and very humourous, but in the right way. Very unconventional Oscar player, but surely a deserving one. Loved the ending. Very silly, but in the right tone, very joyful and it just delivered so well. Enjoyed it with such pleasure, very calm, and a nice watch for Friday night with your girlfriend or family. I wish that this movie will see a lot more people because this movie is the kind of movie that everyone needs. Loved the movie.
Bullet Train
(2022)
Bullet Train - Review
30 September 2022
This was very good. Super-entertaining action flick from my favorite director of action movies, David Leitch. Amazingly looking movie, with beautiful use of color pallets and with a Ritchie/Tarantino-like screenplay. This movie has a lot to take, but man I was on board the whole time (no pun intended). It is just pure fun, with Brad Pitt in it and some very interesting characters. The Twins were great! Like, I felt that this has a lot of fun elements, and every single one was too enjoyable. Very rich movie from that standpoint. Maybe the ending was a little too rushed but enjoyed it anyway. A one nice.
The Night House
(2020)
The Night House - Review
30 September 2022
Great horror with a surprisingly brilliant story and some great ideas. I have been hooked right away after the movie began and it just stayed that way the whole time. And that's just rare in movies like this. By the way, Rebecca Hall is magnificent in this, I did feel every emotion from her and she is just overall a great actress. Liked the connections between her and her husband. Very breathtaking conclusion in terms of the husband's fate, very bleak, loved it. The end of the story is satisfyingly dark. Loved the scares, easily one of the better ways of jumpscares I've seen in a while. The way the director is shaping the surrounding items is an absolutely lovely idea. Liked it a lot. And I want to see more from this director.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners
(2022)
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners - Review
23 September 2022
Beautifully animated, like, gorgeous to its core. I was hyped to this because I loved the game and I was thrilled how they can abuse this exquisite world into the show and goddamn studio Trigger delivered. It is a well-written, bleak and stylized view of one cyberpunk, who wants revenge. And it's really good, especially the relationship between David and Lucy was magnificent! Maybe some episodes weren't the best from the story standpoint, but oh yeah I had such a blast with this. And the ending was lucrative! I want season 2, Netflix! We need these game adaptations this good, like was back in the day Arcane.
Come and See
(1985)
Come and See - Review
23 September 2022
Oh gosh... It's. It's that kind of movie where you just don't want to say or do anything after watching it. You just want to be quiet. And listen. And immerse in the images which you just saw. It's a heartbreaking movie. And in its rawness very realistic and just... it's just sad. All of these things happened in the movie. It's a tough movie to watch. Absolutely. Don't watch it like whatever I'm gonna watch a movie, yay. No. Take your time, sit back, listen... and watch. And it will be one of the most disturbing experiences you will ever see. But it is important to watch it. Because things like this are... just not acceptable. What a brilliance of a movie.
Synecdoche, New York
(2008)
Synecdoche, New York - Review
23 September 2022
I really liked Kaufman's I'm Thinking of Ending Things, it was brave, fun, with a lot of dialouge, but I was interested enough. It had weird end, but still a solid experience. But this. I don't know man, I felt like the movie doesn't want me to understand it whatsoever. It's an interesting take on solipsism and existentialism, but I just couldn't get it along the way. Yeah, it's thought-provoking enough and it has some interesting ideas and scenes I appreciate, but it wasn't that strong. I want to understand it so badly that maybe that thing pulled me off-guard from this movie. And I wasn't happy. Surely a solid movie.
Pulp Fiction
(1994)
Pulp Fiction - Review
23 September 2022
I always loved Tarantino. I loved how he direct a movie. And this? It's a masterpiece. I am pretty sure of that fact. It's wild, funny, dark, twisty, crazy, hilarious, and it kicks ass like nothing else. I wasn't able to breathe how good it was. Saw it 4 years ago and didn't appreciate it, it was long and I didn't know what was going on, but now, 4 years later, I'm saying that it's a delight of a movie and it contains one of the best scripts I've ever seen. It's exquisitely written and the characters are absolutely on-point. I love this movie very much and it is absolutely one of my favorites. Quentin, you one mother*ucker!
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On - Review
23 September 2022
It's a little, kind and nice movie, with a lot of heart and surprisingly very funny humor! I've laughed from time to time very loudly and I've just appreciated this aspect of the movie very much. Also liked the main protagonist's keeper or whatever he was, I think their bond between these two fellers was realistic and fun. But the movie didn't do to me what I was maybe expecting. It has some nice concepts to explore and it was interesting enough to keep me engaged, but not enough to make me cry. It's still a good movie, but a rewatch isn't necessary here. It's just cute, and I'm here for it, just it isn't the best and most cute thing I have ever seen. That's it.
Nope
(2022)
Nope - Review
15 September 2022
By far the best Peele movie. I was stunned right away by the start of the movie with the chimp, and the overall side-plot with Gordy is fantastic and loved the way how it tied with the main storyline. The direction and the camera work are absolutely great and I'm in love to see how Peele is progressing as a filmmaker, such a great visual spectacle this movie is. A lot of hidden details and every scene with the main "villain" is mesmerizingly good. Yeah, loved it very much. Peele is one hell of a director and this movie is a pure enjoyment for me. Best horror movie of the year, I'm so happy that I watched this is theater.
End of Watch
(2012)
End of Watch - Review
1 September 2022
Very entertaining and engaging. Thrilling, interesting, and overall great action movie, where Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña are talking about their girlfriends and are arguing about absolutely anything because they're friends and I was feeling everything. Great chemistry between them and that aspect was handled extremely well. The POV moments (basically the whole movie) are very gorgeous and I was at the edge of my seat through the whole movie. Great stuff, beautiful ideas, and even better execution, David Ayer was risking everything and he definitely delivered. It's a good-ass movie, with a lot of great moments, and - it has Jake in it, come on.
Thirteen Lives
(2022)
Thirteen Lives - Review
26 August 2022
What a good movie. Entertaining, quality content from my man Ron Howard, who just knows, how to provide us a lot of information and thrill us to the bone. Didn't know a lot about the case so I was really pumped for this movie and was very curious about how the f did they rescued them. And when I found out how, I froze. I was so intrigued and overwhelmed by it and it was truly a mesmerizing experience. So good.
Prey
(I) (2022)
Prey - Review
15 August 2022
Actually very enjoyable. I was a bit concerned when the trailer dropped that this might be very good, but very bad. It's good, and for me even better than the first one (I've seen only these two). Trachtenberg is apparently really good with only 2 movies, but it's a 2/2 for me. He just understands the themes and tension which this movie has to provide and he's doing it very confidently and in the right way. Loved the scenes with Predator, when he was hunting, it was so raw and interesting to look at. The sense of rawness is here and it's probably the best thing in this movie. How he punched the bear, for example, holy moly I jumped. I want more from this man. Also, the main character was very nice, Amber Midthunder did a really great job, she was so good. Love the idea to do a sequel (when you watched the credits, you know), because this has a lot more potential than we all maybe think. A lot of fun, this movie.
The Fifth Element
(1997)
The Fifth Element - Review
12 August 2022
A fun ride. Luc Besson gone crazy here and he made this visually massive and vibrant blockbuster with excuisit production design and a lot of colors. CGI didn't age that well, still good tho, but what were he main entertaining elements in this movie? The first and third act, they are excellent, but the 2nd didn't quite get it. I was struggling to pay attention at times, but it wasn't like entirely boring. The emotional beats work here almost perfectly and the relationship between the two is well delivered. Liked it very much.
Sully
(2016)
Sully - Review
27 July 2022
Entertaining? Oh boy, oh yeah it sure is. Tom Hanks is brilliant and the screenplay is super-good. It's not the best movie of the year, it should've had more of the main character and maybe pushed emotions to the audience more frequently, but this result is absolutely acceptable and - again, a lot of fun. The dialogue and the conflict between the main character and the aviation company, yeah, true drama storytelling, that was very interesting and intriguing, loved every moment. Very, a very good movie, and it's mesmerizing how Eastwood is doing a film at his age - wow.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
(2019)
Portrait of a Lady on Fire - Review
27 July 2022
Wow. I mean, I was expecting a lot and I kind of got it? It's a wonderfully written movie, but it did not shoot my socks off? I was concerned about the plot and the relationship between the two main protagonists, but it never truly bombed me emotionally. The one thing I was loving - the lady appearing in the dark in white clothes - holy smoke, I almost fainted how haunting these moments were, think there were like 3 of them, beautiful stuff. So overall feel is - I liked it a lot, but not truly and deeply intrigued by it in a way I couldn't bare. But it's a good movie.
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl - Review
27 July 2022
These kinds of blockbusters we lack very much. Very funny and fun, like, this type of screenplay is what I want in every adventure/blockbuster movie. Beautiful payoffs, extremely entertaining throughout, Johnny Depp is great, and the freaking CGI is better than anything out now. The villain is fun as hell and the most important aspect of this movie is that it's just pure fun made with passion and a right sense of good storytelling. Very much enjoyed this movie.
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