Avatar: Fire and Ash

 

Greetings from the movie theater depths once again. We’re in the wanning throws of the holidays, the year is quickly coming to an end, and I used my last freebie to take in my final film of the year. This week I polished off 2025 with James Cameron’s third installment in his Avatar franchise, Avatar: Fire and Ash.

While I’ve been a fan of the Avatar movies since seeing the original's opening weekend in 2009 (damn, I’m old) I admit that I’ve always found these films a bit basic and lacking in the actual stories themselves. I suffer from the ability to see/figure out the unfolding of most films (down to actual dialogue) from the jump more often than not and these haven’t been the exception. Enjoyable, yet highly predictable. However, Avatar: Fire and Ash really stands out for me as the best film yet.

As expected, the cinematography, visuals, SFX are stunning. The colors, textures are next level and in 3D really pull you into the world of Pandora like never before. Even with only a three-year gap between Fire and Ash and Way of Water the improvements in technology and technique are stunningly evident. Alone making it worthwhile to make a trip to the theater to see on the big screen as intended. 

Better still is Cameron really hitting his stride this go round in every aspect of the story telling. I wasn't painfully aware of where the story was going and was able to just sit back and enjoy the ride.

For 3 hours and 17 minutes I wasn’t just transported to Pandora, I was fully engaged and invested in the lives of the Sully family like never before. AFA picks up shortly after 2022s Avatar: The of Water dealing with the fallout from those events (be caught up on this one prior to seeing this). While there’s plenty of thrilling action, the characters take center stage with the focus on their relationships, emotions, and conflicts. The quieter moments' drive the film like never before.  

Avatar: Fire and Ash is a much deeper, much richer, much more impactful and devastating film in the best way possible. There are twists and turns, callbacks, returning favorites, hard hitting dialogue, and intriguing new characters. Everything and everyone (even the kids) work in harmony bringing the story alive. Characterization is king and had me glued to the screen from start to finish with more than a few verbal utterances along the way. Fire and Ash is a more personal and memorable film that’s elevated by the high-tech aspects instead of sacrificed for them. Cameron’s world-building has hit its stride, and it pays serious dividends.

 Avatar: Fire and Ash is bold, brash, and a cinematic statement. You’re immediately pulled into an immersive experience filled with vision and heart. It’s darker and more mature. Perfectly balanced between spectacle and substance. This is what the franchise has been missing but building towards and I’m all for it. 

Easily the best film of the franchise for me.

 Avatar: Fire and Ash finishes off the 2025film year with a 10 from me. 

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