An epic narrative, mind-blowing 3D, and unparalleled action scenes — the biggest blockbuster of the year. Superlatives have become a standard refrain as James Cameron's science-fiction magnum opus returns to Pandora for its stunning third chapter. Avatar: Fire and Ash delivers over three hours of unadulterated cinematic glory. The Sully clan, together with their Na'vi and Tulkun allies, confront an existential threat as the RDA colonizers, led by the wrathful Colonel Quaritch (Stephen Lang), unleash a terrifying new enemy. The stakes have never been higher, with astonishing revelations radically reshaping what was thought possible on an alien world engulfed in turmoil.
The title, Fire and Ash, refers to the inevitable conclusion of burning hatred and simmering vengeance. The factions battling for Pandora's supremacy have now faced each other multiple times in vicious combat. Each side has taken casualties and suffered tremendous heartbreak, which in turn hardens their steely resolve. But there's Myopia as the eventual goal becomes blurred with questionable tactics. How far is everyone willing to go to achieve victory? What is the true cost of such a sacrifice? And how does that extreme path inevitably tarnish the souls of those who try to embrace goodness?
The plot begins in the aftermath of Neteyam's (Jamie Flatters) death. Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) is consumed by grief, the loss of her oldest son has delivered a significant blow to her psyche. Spider (Jack Champion), the human son of her sworn enemy, lives under her roof with Jake's (Sam Worthington) protection. Her remaining children, Lo'ak (Britain Dalton), Tuk (Trinity Bliss), and adopted daughter Kiri (Sigourney Weaver), view Spider as their brother, an indispensable part of the family, but Neytiri does not. Spider's presence has amplified her resentment to a toxic level. The "pink skin" invaders must all be killed, but her husband and children have human DNA.
Jake also struggles to deal with the Spider dilemma. He sees what is happening to his beloved wife and acknowledges their daunting problems. The Sullys endanger the Metkayina by staying with the reef clan, as General Ardmore (Edie Falco) and her RDA forces hunt them down. Jake is forced to make a bitter decision that drives a wedge between him and his offspring. Jake still holds Lo'ak responsible for what happened to Neteyam. Soldiers must follow orders. It doesn't matter that Lo'ak is his son.
Meanwhile, a smarter and more capable Quaritch has reassessed his warfare strategy. He no longer paints all Na'vi with the same brush, since the clans are not united for the cause against humanity. Therefore, the enemy of my enemy is my friend, and Quaritch exploits Na'vi divisions with a bold alliance that brings a truly badass new player to the violent game.
20th Century Studios
Oona Chaplin steals the show as Varang, the bloodthirsty and malevolent Tsahìk of the Mangkwan clan. She has renounced Eywa and blames Pandora's deity for her people's suffering. Varang steals, tortures, and kills with impunity. She's completely amoral and will do anything needed to subjugate others. Quaritch enters a devil's bargain with Varang, much to Ardmore's chagrin. Varang is unlike any other character. She combines ruthlessness with seductive sensuality in a formidable way. There's a reason why her fierce image looms ominously large in the film's posters.
Cameron's script draws heavily from historical colonial oppression. For example, the British and French joined forces with different Native American tribes to further their conquest of the New World in the 18th and 19th centuries. The lure of advanced weaponry (guns, explosives etc.) makes strange bedfellows. Varang and her Mangkwan army serve a purpose, but there's a downside to such a dangerous pact. Varang isn't fighting for the humans, she has her own agenda and is no puppet to be controlled. Quaritch and Varang have a twisted relationship that will have audiences spellbound.
Cameron (Aliens, Terminator 2) has raised the visual and sound effects bar with every new film in his legendary career. Avatar: Fire and Ash continues this trend with awesome 3D cinematography and sound design. The spectacle alone is easily worth the price of admission. Lo'ak, Kiri, and Spider holding Tulkun fins as they swoop and twirl majestically underwater is simply breathtaking. Cameron's mastery of the volume allows new point-of-view shots that were previously unimaginable. You can see even minor breath bubbles as the characters and creatures seamlessly interact in a fully immersive environment. And this is just the tip of the VFX iceberg in the first act. The Mangkwan volcano setting, their use of fire, and the RDA city are unlike anything seen in the franchise. There's never a second where realism is in doubt.
20th Century Studios
Let's explore the areas where the uninspired Avatar haters will surely pounce: Cameron, as always, doesn't spoon-feed details. There's no primer on what happened before. Avatar: Fire and Ash assumes you've paid attention, know the established cast, and are aware of Pandora's many critters and geography. To say there's a lot going on here is a vast understatement. The runtime is packed with critical exposition. One, in particular, is an absolute whopper that reframes the entire franchise. Every trip to the bathroom risks missing huge developments. Detractors will argue that a film this long should have an intermission, but Cameron doesn't believe in taking his foot off the narrative pedal, full bladders be damned. He wants total engagement until the credits roll, so drinking a large soda during this movie is a mistake.
The characters have long monologues that express their feelings and intentions out loud, though there's a reason for this as the plot thickens. It's admittedly unnatural and leads to a relevant criticism about who dies and survives. Avatar: Fire and Ash is akin to Star Trek where the average "red shirt" is expendable while the leads aren't. Cameron doesn't drop the hatchet at opportune times because he needs certain characters for the upcoming films. This is obvious in a thrilling climax with familiar beats where many more should have been killed, given the scope of the conflict. The carnage is measured when it probably shouldn't be, and Cameron takes death seriously, but isn't running a performance capture slaughterhouse.
20th Century Fox
Avatar: Fire and Ash represents positive growth in the franchise's direction. There's no step backward or anything stale here. The plot is more involved, the characterizations deeper, and it is loaded with insane action sequences that will kick your butt and break a foot doing it. Avatar is a known commodity at this point. Everyone who loved the first two films will be enthralled. If you dislike the others, this third iteration won't move the needle. Avatar: Fire and Ash must be seen in the best 3D theater possible.
Avatar: Fire and Ash is a production of 20th Century Studios and Lightstorm Entertainment. It will be released theatrically on December 19th from 20th Century Studios.
