“Avatar: The Way of the Water” Early Critics Reactions: “Amazing…Visual masterpiece.”

The first reactions of the press to Avatar: The Way of the Water are there, and the answer is widely gushing.

The long-awaited sequel to director James Cameron’s fantasy epic is better qualified than the 2009 original, both in its story and its state-of-the-art visual effects.

While some chastised Cameron for the film’s length or took issue with its multitude of characters and stories, most seemed extremely impressed with the film’s underwater visuals.

Here’s a sampling of reactions now that the film’s social media embargo has been lifted for journalists who have seen screenings of the film, as well as those attending the London premiere on Tuesday (full reviews will be posted on 13 december) :

mike ryan of Uproxx“Yeah, never bet against James Cameron. I try to spare the hyperbole, but I’ve never seen anything like it technically and visually. It’s overwhelming. Perhaps too overwhelming. Sometimes I missed plot points because I was watching a Pandora fish. Also, I rewatched the first AVATAR over the weekend and was basically like “that was good.” The sequel has much better and deeper character development.

Perri Nemiroff of Collider: “#AvatarTheWayOfWater is quite amazing. I had faith that James Cameron would raise the bar with the effects, but these visuals are stunning. A superb image after the next. But what I dug the most was how technical prowess still feels in service of character and world-building.

Ian Sandwell from Digital Spy: “Unsurprisingly, #AvatarTheWayOfWater is a visual masterpiece with rich use of 3D and breathtaking views. It suffers from a thin story and too many characters to juggle, but James Cameron pulls it together for an extraordinary final act full of emotion and heart-pounding action.

Yolanda Machado of EO“James Cameron is a master of technology…and his direction is most precise here. The film as a whole, while a technological marvel with a jaw-dropping world, is just…. Dance with Wolves and free Willy for Gen Z! Pee before.

Jeff Nelson from CheatSheet: “#Avatar/#AvatarTheWayOfTheWater is a visual marvel with mesmerizing beauty in every frame. James Cameron’s sequel thrives when it explores new ground, creating bigger and better emotional stakes. The definition of epic.

Kara Warner of People: “As an Avatar stan, I had high hopes for #AvatarTheWayofWater and for me, it totally delivers. Sure, it’s a bit long, but it’s worth it for the gorgeous visuals, wonderful new characters. A total thrill.

Scott Mantz, Producer: “AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER is breathtakingly beautiful with the most amazing visual effects I’ve ever seen (I saw it in 3D); the story itself is weaker than the first and seems to stretch to 3 hours and 10 minutes, but it’s still enjoyable to watch and the final hour is amazing.

Amun Warman of Empire: So, #AvatarTheWayOfWater“I liked it, I didn’t like it. The good news is that the 3D is good again (yay!) and the action is pretty amazing (especially in the final act). But a lot of the scenarios feel like they have to stop and start again, and the high frame rate was hit or miss for me.

Eric Davis from Fandango: “Happy to say #AvatarTheWayOfWater is phenomenal! Bigger, better and more emotional than #Avatar, the film is visually stunning, visceral and incredibly captivating. The story, the spectacle, the spirituality, the beauty – this is cinema and storytelling at their best.

Drew Taylor of The envelope“I have now seen #Avatar twice and I am overwhelmed by both his technical mastery and his unexpectedly intimate emotional reach. Yes, the world is expanded and the sequels teased, but the characters are the most important. Cameron is in top form, especially in the final act. It’s good that he’s back.”

Avatar: The Way of the Water opens December 16.