Reviews
Avatar: Fire and Ash
If there is one rule everyone reading this should learn about cinema, it is that you should never doubt Big Jim Cameron, and Avatar: Fire and Ash is no exception. Of course I have my issues with the latest entry in the Avatar franchise, many of them the same complaints I have had with previous films, but none of that detracts from the fact that, despite having spent nearly ten hours in the world of Pandora now, I was completely awestruck from start to finish. Fire and Ash is yet another undeniable technical masterpiece that deserves to be celebrated for just how much it gets right.
The latest chapter picks up after the events of The Way of Water, with Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and his family mourning the death of his son Neteyam following the epic battle from the previous film. Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) is struggling the most, as her grief begins to turn into anger, particularly toward the “sky people”. This anger is often directed at their adopted human son Spider (Jack Champion), who bears the brunt of it with his own complicated needs becoming increasingly tiresome. Jake’s son Lo’ak (Britain Dalton) is consumed by guilt and grief, blaming himself for his brother’s death, while daughter Kiri (Sigourney Weaver) is seeking a deeper connection with the Great Mother, with a growing sense that she may have a greater purpose yet to fulfill.
As if the family’s internal struggles were not enough, the avatar of the deceased Colonel Quaritch (Stephen Lang) remains relentless in his pursuit. He is determined to scour Pandora to reclaim his son Spider and finally exact revenge on Jake Sully, killing anyone who stands in his way. To help him achieve this, Quaritch aligns himself with the Mangkwan, a brutal ash dwelling tribe led by the fearsome Varang (Oona Chaplin), who are dangerously enamored with human weaponry and the destruction it brings.
There is an enormous amount happening in Avatar: Fire and Ash. Some of it works beautifully, some of it less so, and I would be lying if I said that narratively it does not feel like the weakest entry in the franchise. Much of that comes from its reliance on familiar territory. The seemingly endless conflict between Jake Sully and Colonel Quaritch has been a central pillar of every Avatar film, and after nearly ten hours of that dynamic, it can begin to feel routine. This repetition made Fire and Ash the first Avatar film where I felt slightly fatigued by the runtime.
That said, the increased focus on the children and their individual journeys is one of the film’s greatest strengths, and it genuinely feels like a passing of the torch. Lo’ak’s growth is particularly compelling, unfolding as a strong coming of age story filled with emotionally resonant moments that reflect humanity’s real world destruction of the oceans. Kiri also plays a far more significant role this time, and watching her navigate the challenges placed before her is consistently engaging. At times, though, Fire and Ash feels like Spider’s film above all else. Nearly every subplot and even the central narrative threads circle back to him. This will no doubt be divisive, but for me it was a welcome shift away from some of the more familiar story beats found elsewhere in the franchise.
With so much going on, it would be easy for Fire and Ash to lose its sincerity amid the barrage of blockbuster spectacle, yet it never does. Not once does it stray from its core themes, which are delivered in a way that feels heartfelt and accessible. The film touches on climate change, survivor’s guilt, grief, and moral compromise, among other ideas, without ever feeling overly preachy. Balancing that kind of messaging alongside large scale action is no small feat, but James Cameron pulls it off once again, delivering several moments of genuine emotion throughout.
While Avatar’s storytelling may not resonate with everyone, the visuals remain unmatched. Watching an Avatar film on the big screen is cinema at its most spectacular. This is not just a movie but an event, packed with breathtaking set pieces that continually outdo one another. On that front, it is impossible to be disappointed. The same applies to the action, which includes some of the most thrilling sequences the franchise has delivered to date.
There has been plenty of discussion recently about the future of the Avatar series, with James Cameron himself adding to the speculation. If Fire and Ash does turn out to be the final chapter audiences receive, it is a hell of a way to go out. The climax delivers a deeply satisfying final stretch that feels earned, capped off with a surprisingly emotional closing scene that had me reflecting on the journey of the franchise as a whole and the joy it has brought to audiences around the world.
While Avatar: Fire and Ash certainly treads familiar ground at times, it remains a worthy addition to one of the best franchises of the 21st century. Few films have shaped the industry the way Avatar has, and even if it isn’t necessarily for everyone, it is a trilogy that I will always look back on fondly. Fire and Ash is absolutely worth the watch, just make sure you bring enough snacks.
