I remember watching the first Avatar film sixteen years ago. Few cinematic feats can match the feeling of witnessing the fictional moon Pandora for the first time. The Na’vi and the stunning ecosystem they inhabit left audiences mesmerised. I also remember re-watching it upon its re-release. Still slaps. James Cameron clearly knew what he was doing. The visual spectacle justified the production scale, massive budgets and the long wait between sequels, at least for the first two instalments. As vast as the painstakingly built world is, it leaves room for endless exploration. Yet so little is explored in Avatar: Fire and Ash. The third film of the ongoing franchise, out in theatres today, demands you take a trip to the nearest IMAX screen. But does it earn your attention for its sprawling 3 hours and 17 minutes runtime?
Avatar: Fire and Ash is just another Avatar movie
Hollywood math is making a sequel (or multiple sequels) for any film that works at the box office. If you rake in numbers, why not go back for more? James Cameron, however, decided to take his time, 13 years at that, before giving us Avatar: The Way of Water. The pay-off, most of us would argue, was huge. Pandora’s waters did not disappoint. Technological advancements were on full display at every new shore the Sullys traversed. Fire and Ash, sadly, doesn’t feel as fresh.
The film starts on a sombre note as Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) are grieving the death of their son, Neteyam. The family, including their remaining kids Lo’ak (Britain Dalton), Kiri (Sigourney Weaver), Tuktirey (Trinity Jo-Li Bliss) and Spider (Jack Champion), are only coming to terms with the devastating loss when a new threat emerges. It doesn’t help that Neytiri’s resentment of humans extends to her adopted son Spider, while Lo’ak blames himself for his brother’s death. There’s also the issue of Spider’s breathing in Pandoran air. With his exopacks running out, Jake decides it’s as good a time as any to send him away. So begins their family trip to “visit grandma”. That’s when a new fire-obsessed clan led by Varang (Oona Chaplin) begins closing in. And they’re only too happy to collaborate with invading humans and Jake’s former commander, Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang).
Like most Avatar films, the latest entrant is a jaw-dropping visual treat. The world-building is top-notch. It’s a big, ‘filmed for IMAX’-sized flex, alright. And if that’s all you’re looking for, this is the film for you. But if you’re looking for the next chapter, you’ll be here for a while. Perhaps Cameron found the initial conflicts of the first part so interesting that he assumed playing variations of the same arcs would suffice. The Sullys and the Metkayina clan seem to be back to where they started, while Jake and Quaritch are definitely still where they started. How can a movie introduce so many new characters and locales without moving the needle forward? While I love exposition as much as the next Avatar fan, it’s no excuse for the skeletal plot or the dialogue, for that matter. Can someone tell me why so many of the characters sound like gym bros rather than an alien species rich in culture?
To be fair, Fire and Ash has some emotional beats that hit right, much to the credit of its cast. Saldana’s excellent Neytiri remains the beating heart of the story, and one look at her is enough to remind you of why you invested in her arc. I, for one, teared up every time she confronted her pain. Another standout character in the sequel is Weaver’s Kiri. She’s definitely done some growing up since Way of the Water. Without spoiling much, watching her lean into her power was rather satisfying. The film’s big bad, Chaplin’s Varang, does quite a bit of heavy-lifting too. I love a baddie, and she’s as fierce, feral and merciless as they come. “Your goddess has no dominion here”? Okay, ma’am. That being said, her perspective wasn’t exactly fleshed out, save for her hunger for fire and destruction. All this is to say that there are moments to be savoured. The film isn’t without its highlights.
Avatar: Fire and Ash might be the best-made sequel, but it’s the weakest story by far. The film ends with a Miley Cyrus song and the promise of another instalment. Yes, there are more adventures to be had in Pandora, specifically in 2029 when the next chapter is scheduled to drop. In the meantime, it’s worth wondering if the franchise is running out of ideas.
Hero and featured image courtesy: 20th Century Studios.
This story first appeared here.
Note : The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.