K.T Simpson
Feedback from early screenings two of the most anticipated films of the holiday season, Disney and James Cameron’s Avatar : The Way of Water and Sony’s Tom Hanks starrer A Man Called Otto are overwhelmingly positive.
On Avatar, seems the 13-year-wait for the Sam Worthington-starring special effects-fueled sequel was well worth the wait. Reactions highlight the film’s beautiful imagery in particular, pointing out the flawless effects and the film’s third half – a big action sequence – as gloriously breathtaking.
Here’s some of those reactions :
As someone who LIKED — but didn’t LOVE — the first AVATAR, let me tell you:
AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER blew me away.
Vastly superior in visuals, story telling and performances, the sequel left my jaw on the ground for the entire runtime.
James Cameron is the GOD of sequels. pic.twitter.com/1cw6C94O4f
— Jake Hamilton (@JakesTakes) December 6, 2022
Avatar The Way of Water: lol imagine being dumb enough to bet against James Cameron. or teen alien Sigourney Weaver. or giant whales subtitled in papyrus.
light years better than the first & easily one of the best theatrical experiences in ages. streaming found dead in a ditch.
— david ehrlich (@davidehrlich) December 6, 2022
AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER: Yeah never bet against James Cameron. Trying to spare hyperbole, but I’ve never seen anything like this from a technical, visual standpoint. It’s overwhelming. Maybe too overwhelming. Sometimes I’d miss plot points because I’m staring at a Pandora fish
— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) December 6, 2022
AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER might be James Cameron’s sweetest, gentlest, most personal film. Possibly even his most emotional. It revisits all his greatest hits, but it’s always totally sincere. He is never leaving Pandora. He loves this family. By the end, I did, too.
— Bilge Ebiri (@BilgeEbiri) December 7, 2022
Avatar: The Way of Water left me breathless. Visually stunning, emotionally overwhelming, with some of the most impressive sustained action scenes I’ve ever seen. The performances are incredible too, especially by all the kids. Wow. James Cameron truly doesn’t miss. #Avatar pic.twitter.com/GdwSnZYPYz
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) December 7, 2022
Happy to say #AvatarTheWayOfWater is phenomenal! Bigger, better & more emotional than #Avatar, the film is visually breathtaking, visceral & incredibly engrossing. The story, the spectacle, the spirituality, the beauty – this is moviemaking & storytelling at its absolute finest. pic.twitter.com/RicnpDghrx
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) December 6, 2022
Avatar: The Way of Water is a film to be admired more than loved – some remarkable spectacle, some throwback to Titanic set pieces, some really lovely visual flourishes. But it’s also interminably, ploddingly overlong, and more impressive than truly absorbing.
— Christina Newland (@christinalefou) December 6, 2022
AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER introduces a new water culture on Pandora that is technically wondrous. James Cameron’s dialogue still struggles but his storytelling soars as he emotionally invests us in the new characters & creatures. A sincere, stunning epic that was worth the wait. pic.twitter.com/ZUqdJ4Nawd
— Matt Neglia (@NextBestPicture) December 6, 2022
The Tom Hanks starring Man from Otto is also earning much praise, with critics suggesting it could be a late addition to ballot sheets.
For me, it is the most engaging Tom Hanks-as-lead movie in 20 years, since Catch Me If You Can. It’s not that there aren’t some terrific performances in these last 20 years, but…
THB #271: A Man Called Otto, Review + Analysis, by @DavidPoland https://t.co/mtCvs544Cp
— David Poland (@DavidPoland) December 6, 2022
Had a great time w/ A MAN CALLED OTTO, which made me laugh a little and cry A LOT. Tom Hanks gives his best performance since SULLY & I loved Mariana Treviño as his neighbor. She should absolutely be in the Supporting Actress mix. If Sony gets behind Otto, it could land a BP nom.
— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) December 6, 2022
A MAN CALLED OTTO was deeply heartfelt & poignant.
I’ve never seen the original version but this was a fantastic remake. Hollywood’s nicest guy Tom Hanks played grumpy with such ease. But the standout performance was the sublime Mariana Trevino.#AManCalledOtto #FilmTwitter pic.twitter.com/HfXsHV5yxi— Rama’s Screen (@RamasScreen) December 6, 2022
A Man Called Otto is completely & utterly charming. It’s a deep, powerful comedy that will have audiences laughing through tears. Tom Hanks is brilliant, as expected, & Mariana Treviño brings so much heart. It’s been a while since a movie made me feel this hard. #AManCalledOtto pic.twitter.com/VSYoySD99b
— Tessa Smith – Mama’s Geeky (@MamasGeeky) December 6, 2022
A MAN CALLED OTTO was a delightful surprise. Heartwarming and emotional, feeling like a big hug. Tom Hanks is wonderful as OTTO, one of his best roles in years. Ensemble was fantastic as well. Moved to tears by the end! #amancalledotto #tomhanks #filmtwitter pic.twitter.com/X4YFauJbVT
— Josh Blumenkranz (@JoshBlumenkranz) December 6, 2022
