This is admittedly a super-belated review, but having grown tired of waiting for a new theatrical release of interest, and still puzzled by such disparate responses, I finally went to see Way of Water on Sunday. As mentioned earlier, I was moderately skeptical based on the ads, but also found the first Avatar impressive overall after initially doubting the hype, so I genuinely hoped for another pleasant surprise. And I sort of got one… but largely not.
Where it succeeded with flying colors was in the technical visual effects achievement. From an objective “does what I’m seeing on screen look real?” sense, the rendering was impeccable, far-surpassing impressions I got from 2d trailers. I even agree with an earlier comment that the 3d didn’t seem particularly deep, but regardless, I could just about count on my fingers the number of times that a facial movement, skin texture or interaction with the environment gave away that I was watching CGI. It’s got to be the most realistic animation I’ve witnessed, thoroughly earning its Oscar.
And yet, after maybe an hour… I became very, very bored. This was honestly difficult for me to reconcile while watching; how could I be simultaneously intellectually-amazed by the technical achievement, and totally unmoved emotionally – to the point that I considered leaving early? Surely I should’ve been on the edge of my seat, and in gaping awe. Even if I didn’t exactly fall in love with the original story or its characters, I was certainly never bored by them. The more I tried to engage with this one, though, the more it dawned on me that past a certain point and save for the occasional shot, the visuals just weren’t enough on their own to make up for a script so brimming with contrivances, inconsistencies, and repetition (in my opinion).
I respect that there are many who enjoyed Way of Water and saw something in it that I did not. But for the sake of adding one more perspective to the mix and a little support to viewers accused of unfair criticism, I unfortunately have to give it about a 4/10 – in spite of the groundbreaking visuals.
Sorry James; I’m out.