After watching Avatar: The Way of Water, I can confidently say it was one of the best decisions I've made in 2023. 

  I went into the movie feeling skeptical, as I had never seen Avatar, and the three-hour runtime was daunting. However, the breathtaking visuals and captivating storyline alleviated my skepticism.

  It is rare for a movie to hold my attention for longer than an hour, but I was glued to my seat along with everyone else in the audience. I formed an emotional connection with the characters, all of whom I could see a little bit of myself in. I also formed an unspoken bond with the rest of the audience. We all recognized we were witnessing greatness.

  The greatness we were witnessing was jaw-dropping graphics and storytelling that immersed everyone in the audience in the movie. 

  One of the primary purposes of cinema is to allow the audience to see themselves in the characters. Avatar succeeded in this by making its characters look realistic even though they were blue and not your typical person. The movie also showed the characters experiencing different life experiences, from parenting to growing up, to where children and adults could find a character they could relate to. 

 Action and gore are usually not my cups of tea, but this movie had me questioning this bias. What made it enjoyable for me was the perfect balance of gruesome fighting, sometimes resulting in someone's arm being chopped off, and breathtaking imagery of the Avatars’ daily lives in Pandora, letting the audience feel intense serenity. 

  I would highly recommend this film to everyone; however, I would avoid bringing young kids to view it because it can sometimes be overstimulating and gory. Other than that, this movie is worth watching for everyone. It will leave you feeling a sense of wonder, curiosity, and imagination that is hard to come by. Don’t make the same mistake I did by waiting to watch this movie; it, too, could be one of the best decisions you make in 2023.