It’s been 16 years since James Cameron, titan of mainstream cinema, released the very first “Avatar,” which spawned a franchise that has grossed over $6 billion at the worldwide box office and netted four Academy Awards. “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” the franchise’s latest installment, was released Dec. 19, three years after the second film in the series, “Avatar: The Way of Water.”
The film does not do much to separate itself from prior installments “Avatar” and “The Way of Water,” but it makes for an entertaining and visually compelling watch — even with its rehashed and repetitive storylines.
“Fire and Ash” starts immediately after the events of “The Way of Water,” with the Sully family continuing to live with the water-based Metkayina clan. They are still reeling from the last movie’s climactic battle against the Resources Development Administration, which culminated in the tragic death of eldest son Neteyam.
The one taking it the worst is the younger brother, Lo’ak, who feels responsible for the death of his older brother. The Sully’s relationship becomes further strained as protagonists Jake and Neytiri decide on sending Spider, their adopted human son and close friend of Lo’ak, back to a human camp.
The Sullys travel to the camp by tagging along with a group of flying “wind traders.” Their trip, however, is cut short by the introduction of the Mangkwan clan, one of two primary antagonistic forces in “Fire and Ash.” We first see them when they attack the traders transporting the family, viciously killing everyone in their path.
From the reactions of the wind traders, it is clear that the Mangkwan are a constant danger on Pandora. Primal, violent and with an affinity for burning, they serve as the antithesis to the Metkayina clan. While the Metkayina are attuned to the Pandoran goddess Eywa, the Mangkwan scorn her, instead worshipping fire. The Metkayina view metal guns as poison, but the Mangkwan are eager to exploit their destructive potential.
At the helm of the Mangkwan is the ruthless and snarling Varang, a newly introduced main antagonist. She interestingly parallels Neytiri throughout the film with a juxtaposition reflective of the entire conflict between the Mangkwan and other Na’vi tribes, making her a refreshing entry into the series’ mythos.
The stakes are raised even higher with the reintroduction of Miles Quaritch, a perennial Na’vi nuisance. Bitter from his loss to Jake in the last installment, he is eager for revenge, while also seeking to take back his biological son Spider. Jake and Quaritch’s never-ending personal conflict, however, is symptomatic of an overall narrative repetitiveness in the film. Their violent showdowns have been key plot points since “Avatar” 16 years ago and it is difficult to stay fully invested in their conflict throughout the long runtime of “Fire and Ash.
Quaritch’s role is magnified when he entices Varang with human weapons and artillery, promising her the ability to conquer the other Na’vi tribes if she helps him achieve his goals. She accepts, thereby creating the worst power couple in Pandora.
At times, it appears that the Sullys are powerless against Varang and Quaritch. To remedy this, “Fire and Ash” introduces a new superhero in Kiri, the adopted daughter of Jake and Neytiri. Now a Pandoran shaman of sorts, she uses her growing connection with Eywa to bail them out of situations. The onset of her powers feels relatively abrupt, however, and by the end of the film, they become a cop-out method of saving the protagonists.
Kiri is not the only Sully member with a connection to nature. The movie continues to explore Lo’ak’s bond with Payakan, a renegade member of the Tulkuns. The whale-like creatures were central to the story of “The Way of Water,” and they return in “Fire and Ash” as a significant plot point, with the RDA continuing their scheme to kill and harvest them.
As the subplot of the Tulkuns takes shape, “Fire and Ash” again begins to feel like a repeat of previous “Avatar” movies. The scenes of the RDA hunting Tulkuns and of Varang and Quaritch raiding tribes to find Jake feel nearly identical to those in “The Way of Water.” Ultimately, it ends up not feeling as fresh as the previous movies.
Nonetheless, “Fire and Ash” still proves that Cameron is a master of entertainment. The action scenes are well-choreographed and well-executed, and the tension and stakes feel palpable. At three hours and 17 minutes, “Fire and Ash” is the longest “Avatar” movie so far, but the pacing is quick enough that it does not feel like a drag.
More than the story, the visual effects have always been the franchise’s biggest selling point, and they are as perfect as ever in “Fire and Ash.” Showcased are breathtaking views of Pandora’s landscape, gorgeous underwater shots and creative character and vehicle designs. The film is a feast for the eyes, and even though its visuals are not as groundbreaking as the first two were, that does not make them any less spectacular to watch.
The film ends somewhat predictably, with an ultimate showdown of the Sullys, the Metkayina and the Tulkuns against Quaritch, the Mangkwan and the RDA. The ending, however, is a little bit unsatisfactory, as it is obvious that Cameron forgoed a clear and hard conclusion, instead opening it for the potential sequels he plans to make. While this would be acceptable for someone binge-watching the series, it makes the film less fulfilling individually.
Overall, “Fire and Ash” may not have the most inventive story, and it at times feels too similar to its predecessors. Still, “Fire and Ash” is fundamentally James Cameron doing what he knows best, which is creating a blockbuster of epic proportions. Despite its faults, the film remains captivating and a stunning directorial achievement, demonstrating that Cameron remains at the forefront of cinematic excellence.
Read More
“Smiling Friends” season three is taking the show’s trademark style of comedy even further
By Carter Horner | 14 hours ago“Smiling Friends” has proven that the show’s signature style and approach to comedy is not getting stale any time soon.
Self-expression is key to fashion choices during formal recruitment, sorority members say
By Alice Oakey | 2 days agoThe Cavalier Daily spoke to three women in sororities at the University who drew on their own rush experiences to provide fashion insight and advice for those rushing this January.
On Repeat: Pressing play on 2026
By Eshani Patel | 5 days agoThe new year brings plenty of expectations, often pushing for immediate reinvention, but these songs offer space for reflection before rushing ahead.
