Avatar: Fire and Ash — Review
Source: 20th Century Studios
Before stepping into the theater to see James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash, I joked that the movie would be “just like the last one but with fire instead of water,” and that the next installment would simply rotate in another element. And, truth be told, I wasn’t that far off. How much you love the previous Avatar movies will probably determine how much you enjoy this one. So, full disclosure: I’m a fan of James Cameron, and I trust his vision, but the Avatar films have always been my least favorite of his works. That said, Fire and Ash possessed the potential to be my favorite entry so far.
The third film showcases both the franchise's strongest and weakest instincts. The film is at its best whenever the Ash People, also known as the Mangkwan clan, take center stage. Their leader, Varang, immediately commands the screen. Her blazing character design, paired with Oona Chaplin’s ferocious performance, makes her one of the most compelling antagonists these movies have ever had. The Ash People pose a substantial threat to the Na’vi, giving the narrative some teeth and heightening the stakes. Regardless of how audiences feel about the film as a whole, I believe most moviegoers will agree that Oona Chaplin’s Varang is a major highlight. The film is at its most engrossing every time she’s on screen.
Source: 20th Century Studios
But for every moment that bursts with energy, Avatar: Fire and Ash also suffers from feeling too bloated and bogged down. Some action sequences rank among the franchise’s best, yet they’re weighed down by a runtime that keeps circling familiar story beats. One could attempt to justify why this film feels reductive of its predecessor by pointing out that the screenplays for both films were originally one story that Cameron ultimately divided into two distinct films. However, if this had been one continuous film, it would still feel overly repetitive. The story simply could have benefited from more refined plotting and tighter editing.
Lo’ak (Britain Dalton) provides the narrative with a powerful emotional core, as he’s grieving the loss of his brother, Neteyam, but also grappling with survivor’s guilt. The decision to have him serve as narrator helps draw viewers in and get them emotionally invested in the story right from the beginning. However, the narration feels uneven and sporadic as the remainder of the narrative unfolds.
Source: 20th Century Studios
The film starts out strong, but by the third hour, it inevitably elicits a sense of déjà vu that gradually becomes exhausting. There are plenty of fantastic moments, but they feel scattered and sparse in the grand scheme of the film’s runtime. There are plot contrivances, deus ex machinas, and moments that feel like filler, which detract from the impact of the scenes that truly soar, but elaborating on those specific aspects of the story would risk entering spoiler territory. In addition, the final stretch leans too heavily on setting up for the next installment rather than building toward a satisfying conclusion.
Regardless of my issues with the storyline, there’s no denying that the film is visually spectacular, delivering the stunning sensory immersion that keeps viewers coming back to this series. Cameron’s worldbuilding and technical craft remain unmatched, even when the storytelling falters. The use of fire and the red and black aspects of the Ash People’s character designs provide a nice visual contrast from the blues and greens we’ve grown accustomed to with these films.
Source: 20th Century Studios
Avatar: Fire and Ash most likely will not convert any Avatar skeptics, but for those already invested in or at least mildly entertained by the world of Pandora, it’s a solid, exhilarating, and sometimes exhausting chapter. The visuals are mesmerizing, the fiery action sequences are engaging, and the emotional beats are effective, but the film's length, sluggish pacing, and familiar rhythms ultimately wear down the momentum. Nonetheless, diehard Avatar fans will likely be enthralled and revel in another journey with the Na’vi, finding plenty to appreciate in this expansive continuation of Pandora’s saga.
Avatar: Fire and Ash hits theaters on December 19, 2025.
