I was just a kid back in 1990 when I first saw a James Cameron film. My mother and my 10 years older sister rented The Terminator on VHS and were watching it late night one day, and I secretly watched the film from behind them biting my fingers in terror. The fact that two adult women were watching and enjoying a science fiction film, gives you an idea how universal James Cameron's storytelling is and how it transcends any genre.
About a year later, just about every magazine for months was featuring heavy coverage on the upcoming Terminator 2: Judgment Day, and it was such an event that when we were finally able to secure a VHS copy when it came out on home video (there were lines to rent it), the entire family gathered to witness the spectacle. And this time the name James Cameron engraved in my head, from the stylish opening credits to media articles on him at the time. For me this guy was a magician. And I'm not talking about visuals here really. That was great, but his films felt somehow different than anyone else's. Somewhat miles above and so much more engaging and had that "something". To this day I'm a Terminator mythology geek and its avid fan who collects vintage items.
In my teenage years I got into the Alien mythology, and Aliens blew me away. I loved its epressionist look and the mood. It wasn't that I was a fan of a movie because it was a James Cameron film, I was a fan of James Cameroon because it just happened that all of my favorite films are his! The Alien mythology is still one of my top 3 favorite ones to this day
While the release of True Lies whizzed seemingly fast past me, I was sure not to miss my favorite storyteller's new film next time it came around. And missed it I couldn't even if I tried, because just about every person on Earth and more, talked about and saw the cinematic phenomenon, which had never been replicated since - Titanic. Every friend, their parent, their aunt, our teachers, clerks at the stores, everyone was talking about how it's unlike any movie ever made, and everyone had seen it. It was a jaw dropper for everyone aged 10-70. And everyone I knew watched the 1998 Oscars and spoke about it for weeks after. I went to the theater to see it with my Mom who also didn't want to miss it. And look, I was always and still am a science fiction guy, I love the other worlds, the designs, all that, and yet even then and to this day I find this period piece drama to be the most engaging, heart pumping and emotionally wrecking film ever made. Ever since I saw it in the very early 1998, there was no movie that ever came remotely close to Titanic. It wasn't a film, it was an experience. And it was so emotionally draining that I haven't seen it again until over a decade later. When the movie ended when I was rewatching it in my 20's , I realized I've been holding my breath for who knows how long and I was clutching the handles of my chair and was half standing. The movie again wowed me so much it reignited my passion for the movies which I had lost for a long time. It reminded it that movies can be truly magical. After that rewatch, I decided to to start JamesCameronOnline.com as a home for fans of all of Jim's films
Since Jim was doing Ocean exploration and documentaries I assumed he quit making films and became a full time explorer, and I was fine with that because hey, ending up on such a high note that Titanic was not bad to say the least
Then I started reading rumors that he was actually working on a new film called Avatar and funnily enough, I was actually not very happy with the timing of it because I didn't want people to think the JamesCameronOnline website was made to ride the waves of the film's hype, plus I was afraid that Jim won't be able to match the grandeur of Titanic.
At the time Avatar premiered, I was living on a different continent in a different country (United States) and took all the family I had here at the time, my older sister and her teenage kids to see it, so we could all witness and contribute to the history in the making. Avatar was a grand film that brought color and wonder to the films at the time when the opposite dominated it (waves of desaturated, depressing movies flood the theaters, created by the fad from The Dark Knight's success). Interestingly enough, while the internet boiled with negativity toward the film (and quite frankly I never understood its criticism - Avatar was an epic adventure story for generations, while its detractors attacked it for not being a psychological thriller), everyone I had contact with who saw the movie loved it. My coworkers at the time, neighbors. It all just tells you that its the minority that has the loudest voice on the internet - I have never met, ever, personally, anyone who either rates a film online or voices his opinion in a comment or a forum. And nowadays even I don't for few reasons.
And now, finally, a new James Cameron epic is hitting the theaters. Now I'm nearing my 40s, have wife and three terrific kids, so the timing of the movie could not be any more perfect as it's focus is a family and being a parent. I went with my wife on Thursday Dec 15th and expected nothing less than an experience I would never forget. At the same time, it was the first time ever in my life when I managed to avoid any spoilers.
Avatar: The Way of Water is what the magic of movies is all about - it takes you on a journey, and Im not talking about just visually, which everyone is gushing about, but most importantly emotionally. Without spoiling anything, the way the villain is back, a new shade to him, makes him quite an interesting what it appears to be an arch villain of the series. Man, you just hate this guy with passion. But even more so, I think more than I despised him and his cruelty, I think the worst villain of the film that I was just appalled with was the Tulkun hunter. And the scary thing is, in a way that person is real, because there are people who mercilessly murder wales for the profit and treat is as business as usual.
The cast of children are fantastic, as a father myself I thought they were nothing short of great. And kudos to Sigourney who played a teenager perfectly
While of course I'll pre-order my 3D bluray of Avatar The Way of Water as soon as it comes out, there are two scenes that I don't think I can watch again as they rip your heart apart and steal all the tears your body stores. But it was during the happy scenes, perhaps when Lo'ak is swimming with Payakan, that I thought to myself, this is what Disney used to be, this is what the magic of movies is all about, and I think only a very cynical, jaded, empty inside person could not at least appreciate the movie on the emotional level.
Avatar The Way of Water warms your heart, breaks it, pumps your adrenaline and leaves you in awe. Thank you Jim
JamesCameronOnline.com webmaster,
Adrian Czarny
