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.
Avatar: Fire & Ash doesn’t reveal itself as a true sequel toAvatar: The Way of Water. It’s more of a continuation of the story, which at times feels like a waste of time. Going from the first Avatarfilm released in 2009 to its sequel in 2022, there were familiar aspects carried over from film to film, but they were still drastically different. That’s not the case this time around for part three. There are new corridors of Pandora that are explored, but not enough to set it apart as something truly new or breathtaking.
Besides the visuals, this is the weakest of the three Avatar films. However, that doesn’t mean the film isn’t entertaining, because it is. Once it’s released digitally for home consumption, it would come as no surprise if it broke records for streaming views on Disney+. That said, expectations should be checked at the theater door before you grab your fancy 3D glasses. There’s a certain pattern that comes up with Avatar films that doesn’t hold the best continuity with the overall story. In the first film, the antagonists were after a specific resource, which was the main point of their voyage. In the sequel, there was a new element they were pursuing. However, in the third film, the resource fought over in the first movie is completely abandoned, and the plot becomes a repeat of what came before in The Way of Water. This group of humans has traveled trillions of light years through space, yet there’s no mention of why they’re there in the first place. It takes away from the motivation and momentum built up in the previous films, leaving this third installment feeling flat and ultimately purposeless.
Fire & Ash also doesn’t focus on the right characters to maintain audience interest. That may be a subjective take, but viewers need characters who feel realistic, attainable, or at least sympathetic. The character of Spider (Jack Champion) is not a strong representation of any of these qualities. The dialogue written for him feels like that of an elementary school student. Every other word is “bro” or “dude.” Instead of delivering something compelling or thought provoking, his lines come across as dull and ultimately a waste of screen time.
That said, Fire & Ash does introduce new elements, including the sky traders and the Ash Tribe, who live in the mountains. Unfortunately, there isn’t enough screen time to fully flesh out their way of life on Pandora. As mentioned before, the visuals are remarkable, some of the best of the year. The action set pieces will still leave your jaw on the floor thanks to the choreography. This department delivers a full display of combat, showcasing the powers and abilities on both sides, good and evil, which is undeniably a plus. The technology behind the entire production is next level, and creator James Cameron should be proud. However, this time around, he led audiences to believe we were going to explore something new with Avatar. When the curtain is pulled back, though, it’s more of a repeat of part two, leaving you wanting more.
