James Cameron’s Avatar: Fire and Ash is heading to cinemas on December 19th. Book your tickets now and prepare for the ultimate battle.
Synopsis
Jake and Neytiri’s family grapples with grief after Neteyam’s death, encountering a new, aggressive Na’vi tribe, the Ash People, who are led by the fiery Varang, as the conflict on Pandora escalates and a new moral focus emerges.
Review
Avatar: Fire and Ash takes pretty much every element from its predecessor, The Way of Water, and improves upon them. There’s no beating around the bush. It’s a stunningly epic, moving and thrilling ride that further enhances our understanding of Pandora while also providing a more indepth, personal and emotional story that exists beyond the Sully family. Much like the other two films, the family dynamic is integral, and it still is very much the case in Fire and Ash, however there are way more elements in play that really make this instalment feel much larger in scale, not just from a cinematic or technical perspective, but also from an emotional one. These emotional beats hit so much harder thanks to what The Way of Water established, and Cameron definitely doesn’t hold anything back in regards to testing each and every character.
Each character is fighting their own inner battle, whether it’s Neytiri wrestling with her crippling grief and anger, Jake’s battle against the Na’vi way, Lo’ak’s relentless guilt over his brother’s death, or even Kiri’s mysterious connection to Ewya. Everyone has something going on that challenges their own beliefs and perception. With a rather bloated runtime of 3 hours and 15 minutes, we do have that privilege of witnessing each internal struggle, and these arcs are handled in a way that allows them to flourish and come to a full resolution and that really deepens our connection to the characters, particularly the newer ones. taking over as the narrator, Lo’ak’s own journey is an instant standout because it encompasses so many rivaling themes that fully transforms his character from a somewhat selfish and naive child to a warrior. It has been a pleasure watching these characters grow, challenge their own ideals, and adapt. However, the Sully’s are actually overshadowed by the arrival of Quaritch and Varaang.
Honestly, these two are absolute powerhouses in Fire and Ash. While Zoe Saldana’s Neytiri continutes to deliver some of the largest emotional moments, and Sam Worthington’s Jake wrestles superbly with the title of legend and father, nothing can compare to the magnetic and twisted relationship shared between the charming Quaritch and the Mangkwan leader Varaang, They are mesmerising together. The introduction of Varaang reveals a much angrier type of Na’vi that have separated themselves from Ewya but are still very much rooted into the nature of the planet. Oona Chaplin’s Varaang has a snake-like presence to her and she absolutely owns it from the very start. There’s a natural curiosity and hunger to learn which should actually be quite endearing, but her anarchic demeanour corrupts that completely. Quaritch, on the otherhand, still fueled by his hatred for Jake, dances along the lines of ambiguity. There are moments with these little glimmers of hope where he could embrace his new Na’vi body in a positive way, but the thought of having an equally cynical and revenge-driven partner is simply too intoxicating. Seeing Quaritch fully embrace this Na’vi spirit is incredibly liberating but equally damning because you know any tool that Quaritch manipulates is another weapon against the Sully family.
Of course, Avatar wouldn’t exist without the stunning and immersive visuals, and Pandora has never looked better. James Cameron’s movies just embody the essence of escapism. Sure, the stories may not be groundbreaking or challenging, but the actual experience itself is unlike anything else. The introduction of the Mangkwan (ash tribe) as well as the Tlalim clan (wind traders) allowed for a more playful and unique approach that differs drastically to the Omaticaya and Metkayina. The new aesthetics, creatures and lifestyles are brought to life beautifully and offers a may more expansive experience.
from a more personal perspective, one of the most anticipated elements of Fire and Ash was the culmination of clans and the impending drums of war. Could it surpass the battle above the Tree of Souls from the first film. The answer is no, but it is so very, very close. The spectacle of war is much grander. It’s absolutely epic in terms of creativity and scale. The last 45 minutes are dedicated to this battle, and it’s awesome. Styles from each clan seep through and they really embrace the playfulness, especially in regards to the plethora of sea creatures and the hostility of the Mangkwan. There’s nothing really wrong with it actually. The visuals are superb, the action is utterly explosive and Cameron knows how to hype up his audience. It was near perfection… The battle just didn’t feel equally satisfying compared to the first.
This review could go on and on, but there’s so much to love in this third film because it utilises and improves everything in its arsenal. From the emotional impact to Simon Franglen’s riveting score. Everything feels enhanced and more detailed. If this is the end of the Avatar story, then it is an absolutely worthwhile finale that ups the ante while fully prioritising the core element of Avatar… Family. Cameron never loses sight of that.
Verdict
While some of the story beats feel very familiar, there’s no denying this sequel’s grandiose endeavour to show us more of Pandora’s rich mythology while also diving much deeper into the wonderful and often turbulent and traumatic family dynamic. In every way, Fire and Ash is bigger, bolder and more stunning than its predecessor. There are a few elements that hold this sequel back from soaring alongside Turok Makto, but as a cinematic experience… There’s truly no better feeling.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
The latest film in the franchise is written by James Cameron, Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, Josh Friedman and Shane Salerno. Avatar: Fire and Ash is also directed once again by James Cameron. The film stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Oona Chaplin, Cliff Curtis, Kate Winslet, Britain Dalton, Trinity Bliss, Jack Champion and Bailey Bass.
Return to Pandora exclusively at the cinema on December 19th. Are you excited? Let us know in the comments below. Don’t forget, you can catch up on all of the latest Avatar news right here.
