“Avatar: The Way of Water” is currently breaking box office records and is nominated for four Oscars, including Best Picture.
One aspect of the movie that is easy to overlook but is a huge part of its powerful hold over people is the screenplay. Written by James Cameron and the husband-and-wife writing duo of Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver (“Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” “Jurassic World,” the live-action “Mulan”), from a story cooked up by Cameron, Jaffa, Silver, Josh Friedman and Shane Salerno, “Avatar: The Way of Water” deftly balances oversized thrills with deep emotion. It’s a miraculous combination, flawlessly executed.