Expectations were high for Avatar: The Way of Water, with most hoping it would deliver a story that hit the right emotional notes after the first one. The film accomplishes this by making the plot about Jake and Neytiri’s family, along with their new connection to the Metkayina tribe during a conflict that requires the Sully family to leave their home.
The movie has great dialogue that depicts how the characters’ minds function and what they were feeling during particular moments. These quotes have a far deeper meaning than it might seem upon hearing them the first time though, so it’s best to take a look at what the words mean and how they fit into the heroes’ characterizations. do be warned though: There are *Major Spoilers Ahead* for the entire film.
“Happiness Can Vanish In A Heartbeat.”
The beginning of Avatar: The Way of Water showed that the happy times for the Na’vi didn’t last as long as they might have appeared at the end of the previous film. Jake narrated that he and Neytiri managed to make a content life for themselves with the arrival of their children, but he and Neytiri were wary of the humans still out there.
This quote summed up what a reality check is supposed to look like, as Jake realized that the years they’d spent in peace were about to be over in a brief moment. The reappearance of humans with even deadlier weapons and malicious intent tore apart Jake and Neytiri’s life, kickstarting the film’s events.
“Wherever We Go, This Family Is Our Fortress.”
While the first film was about Jake finding his place in the universe, the sequel is about maintaining the life he always wanted. Jake’s priority became the safety of his family, whom he saw as the greatest source of his strength since he didn’t have any purpose before them.
Jake assured Neytiri that they would be at their strongest when they were together, even if it meant leaving their lands behind. This gave Neytiri the push she needed to accept Jake’s proposal to head to the Metkayina clan, as she also realized that her family kept her going.
“The Way Of Water Has No Beginning And No End.”
This quote was something like the maxim for the Metkayina that they used to become one with their environment. It was first stated by Tsireya when she trained Lo’ak in the way of the Metkayina, although it came to take on a higher meaning by the climax.
Lo’ak repeated these words to Jake before they nearly drowned, giving the latter the strength to escape with his son as the two finally understood the meaning behind them. It was also a way for the movie to let viewers know that the Na’vi have other abilities that fans need to be on the lookout for.
“Why Am I Different?”
These words are the primary driver behind Kiri’s characterization in Avatar: The Way of Water, with the film taking its time before she actually brings up the question. Prior to that, viewers have the same burning query in their mind when they see Kiri complete feats that even the Metkayina weren’t able to accomplish.
The film decided against revealing Kiri’s true nature, but the point of her role in Avatar: The Way of Water is to stir up enough intrigue for fans to make sure to turn up for the sequel where her abilities will be detailed. Kiri’s question was clearly a long time coming too, since she has no idea who her father is and how Grace’s Avatar could have conceived her.