‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ review: Even the weakest of James Cameron’s trio is still breathtaking
It’s easy to gloss over Pandora’s wonders. Movie fans have already taken three trips to James Cameron’s breathtaking alien world, scaling floating mountains, wading through glow‑lit plant life, riding living dragons, and plunging into crystal‑clear oceans.
A handful of them have even picked up a few words of Na’vi, the language of the blue‑skinned natives, and quietly start to look up tree‑house listings on Zillow.
But even the most seasoned visitors to Paris can’t help but stare in awe at the Eiffel Tower.
The third instalment in the 16‑year‑old “Avatar” saga, “Fire and Ash,” feels strangely familiar. The plot closely follows 2022’s “Way of Water,” which arrived as a holiday gift after a 13‑year break. Instead of restarting the story after a large time jump, the sequel picks up right where the previous film left off.
Narratively, as the middle act of a planned five‑movie arc, this chapter is the least satisfying so far. Think of it more as a “Two Towers” than an “Empire Strikes Back” – not a bad comparison, but not spectacular either.
Still, the science‑fiction franchise continues to dazzle, with Cameron’s meticulous eye for detail turning Pandora into a colossal showpiece unmatched elsewhere in Hollywood. During its 195‑minute runtime, I found myself shaking my head in disbelief at moments that seemed almost impossible. How did they pull that off?
Some critics can mock the flat dialogue, but the fact remains that Cameron knows modern moviegoers better than any other director.
With a budget in excess of $400 million, “Fire and Ash” is the most visually stunning of the trio. It introduces fresh, imaginative beings and landscapes that flesh out one of the greatest fantasy worlds ever crafted.
The film’s jump forward is that the central baton passes to the next generation. Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) remain heroes, yet their children (Lo’ak, played by Britain Dalton, and adopted Kiri, portrayed by Sigourney Weaver) take on the mantle in ways only they can manage.
Their friend Spider (Jack Champion), a human teenager who prefers his extraterrestrial companions over his fellow Homo sapiens, faces one of the movie’s most emotional storylines and evolves in a way that threatens Pandora’s future.
Meanwhile, the re‑born Quaritch (Stephen Lang), who now adopts the Na’vi form, returns to his “ooh‑rah” ways, hunting for vengeance against Jake. The battle is more personal now than before.
In a franchise first, we meet a war‑band of brutal Na’vi called the Mangkwan, living amidst active volcanoes. Their leader, Varang (Oona Chaplin), is a truly frightening villain – a quirky, dangerous femme fatale reminiscent of Famke Janssen in “GoldenEye.”
He takes a perilous side in the looming war, hinting that the final conflict over Pandora will be far more complex than a simple clash of ships and air‑boats with the help of the wise, ancient whales known as Tongkun, who, by the way, return for a conversation.
The climactic showdown in “Fire and Ash,” aside from adding the Mangkwan, feels almost a direct copy of “Way of Water.” Earth’s vessels battle the aerial‑and‑aquatic Na’vi. The Na’vi infiltrate the fleet, the Tongkun intervene, and the scene is giant, unbelievably cool. Again.
Cameron’s challenge for “Avatar 4,” due to arrive in theaters in four years, is to push the plot significantly beyond character growth and expected visual splendour. He must wrap this sequel up while ramping the stakes.
So far, “Avatar” has earned praise for its mind‑blowing escapism and unmatched epic scale. These flying warriors have performed brilliantly, but the franchise’s ultimate legacy will hinge on the final act. That lies at least six years away. For now, just enjoy the view.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
