After its tremendous buildup, yet saddled with concerns that moviegoers might need some persuading to care, the big question becomes clear: Will James Cameron’s “Avatar: The Way of the Water” rake in the $2 billion that it reportedly needs to break even?

I dunno. But I can say that the 3-hour-plus epic is tremendously entertaining and visually dazzling.

But if you still not interested in this sequel to Cameron’s 2009 sci-fi epic, there are other choices this weekend, including a Netflix rom-com and an Amazon Prime thriller that just got renewed for two more seasons.

Here’s our roundup.

“Avatar: The Way of Water”: It’s been some 13 years since James Cameron catapulted us to the planet of Pandora, a moon where the blue Na’vi live amongst a bounty of resources coveted by Earthlings. Given that hefty time gap, will anyone want to revisit the story and catch up with its two lovers, Jake Scully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña)?

Naysayers be damned. Mr. Tech Wizard Cameron manages to pull off one tough feat, concocting a sequel that’s better than the original, which remains one of the biggest American blockbusters in film history. How does he do it? The 3-D special effects remain exceptional, but the screenplay is better this time, with a storyline more emotionally engaging than in the original. When people and critters die, we feel it this time.

The setup finds the genial forest existence of Jake and Neytri’s Omaticaya community shattered by the arrival of earth’s brutish military. Leading the charge is Jake’s rabid-dog nemesis Col. Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang). He and the others in his troop have, like Jake, assumed the physical image of the Na’vi. Jake and Neytri now have four children, one of whom possesses special powers and is adopted. Jake knows Quaritch has targeted him and the Omatikaya clan he leads for extermination, so they flee to a new area near the sea where they get refuge from the initially wary Metkayina clan overseen by Ronal (Kate Winslet) and Tonowari (Cliff Curtis). The plight of the uprooted Omatikaya clan is clearly meant to reflect on our world’s refugee crisis and Cameron handles this well.

And when the Omatikaya clan settles by the water, Cameron and an amazing array of animators plunge us deep into the big blue, where we are treated to a dazzling area of undersea creatures, some familiar, some extraordinary. It’s a magical, ethereal experience that shapes a solid story, allowing Cameron to crib some of the best scenes from his previous films, “Terminator,” “The Abyss” and “Titanic.” The action-packed 30 minute finale will have you on the edge of your seat.

“Avatar: The Way of Water’s” 2 hour, 40 minute running time did not stop me from being mesmerized by the film and its robust worldbuilding, from the first scene to the last. It’s one the best films of 2022, but here are two bits of advice: Pay extra for the 3-D and don’t expect any morsels for the upcoming sequels popping up near the end credits. Details: 4 stars out of 4; in theaters Dec. 15.

“Retrograde”: In this sobering and searing documentary on the impact of the abrupt U.S. withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan and the ensuing turmoil and chaos, director Matthew Heineman again puts a human face on a historical turning point while digging deeper into the headlines of our times. “Retrograde” illustrates how the 20-year Afghanistan war exacted a huge, devastating toll on everyone involved: Afghani and U.S. troops, and civilians, especially those who fear for their lives once they get left behind without any safety net.

Heineman and his crew follow Afghan General Sami Sadat as the U.S. military prepares to depart upon the orders of President Biden. Sadat and his troops have an impossible task ahead of them, trying to fend off the encroaching Taliban. “Retrograde” is an  intense, immersive experience that reminds us how ineffective and destructive war can be. Details: 4 stars; on Disney+ now.

“Smiley”: The essential ingredients of a rom-com series are a nimble, relatable storyline and two likable on-again/off-again lovers. Showrunner Guillem Clua’s eight-episode guilty pleasure breezes by on that. Set in Barcelona, it’s a classic odd couple mismatch with a fit but unlucky in love bartender (the dashing Carlos Cuevas) leaving an angry message to the wrong guy, an architect (Miki Esparbe) who then takes a shine to him. With an entertaining supporting cast of characters, “Smiley” performs exactly what its title foretells: It puts a smile on your face. Details: 3 stars; now available on Netflix.

“The Devil’s Hour”: Amazon Prime is sometimes horrible about promoting a good series, and this supernatural-tinged one is a doozy: suspenseful, well-acted and full of surprises. Tom Moran spearheads this ominous story that seems like it’ll be a routine serial killer whydunnit but turns out to be much more. A social worker mom (Jessica Raine, in an incredible performance) matches wits with a cagey prisoner who keeps an eye on key people. Lucy (Raine) lives a life that’s off-balanced, trying to maybe patch things up with her husband (Phil Dunster) while tending to her emotionless son Isaac (Benjamin Chivers, who entirely inhabits the part) and waking up alarmed at 3:33 every morning. What’s the significance of that time and how does the prisoner Gideon (Peter Capaldi) figure in the equation? All those questions do get answered in six unpredictable episodes. The last 10 minutes of episode 6 spun me on my head. I can’t wait to see what the next two seasons bring. Details: 3½ stars; on Amazon Prime now.

“The Leech”: Oh, the horror of it all — the holidays, that is. This year, we’re seeing a bloody lot of Christmas horror films, including his scrappy, fierce indie that was shot on a shoestring budget but is funny, weird and features two hilarious lead performances. With Christmas fast approaching and hardly any parishioners in his church, the pious, buttoned-up Father David (Graham Skipper) decides to help the downtrodden by taking in the unhoused and uncouth Terry (Jeremy Gardner), who later moves in his girlfriend Lexi (Taylor Zaudtke). She brings handcuffs and other S&M accouterments. This sexually active couple upend the narrow life of Father David, kneading him to the breaking point. Director and screenwriter Eric Pennycoff’s black comedy is outrageous fun and promises a bright future for all involved. Details: 2½ stars; available on Amazon Prime and Apple TV+.

“Emily the Criminal”:  Aubrey Plaza is an MVP in any film, TV sitcom or drama. Just check out her performance in this season of HBO’s jaw dropping “The White Lotus.” Earlier this year, the scene stealer finally landed a lead role that’s smart enough to take full advantage of her ability to seamlessly switch from drama to comedy with only one ironic look. This exceptional thriller, the debut from feature filmmaker John Patton Ford, is tricked out with on-target social commentary, with Plaza playing one of the many Americans saddled with impossible college debt and a trumped-up rap sheet that makes her immensely un-hirable. Working at a restaurant delivery service, she gets a bead on a new money making gig but it involves credit card fraud. Soon, she’s zipping up the ranks. “Emily the Criminal” is dicey, daring and unpredictable and should cast a broader spotlight on both its star and its filmmaker. Details: 3½ stars; now on Netflix.

Contact Randy Myers at soitsrandy@gmail.com.