Avatar: Fire and Ash Review

 

Alright we got a brand new Avatar film and better yet, we DIDN'T have to wait over ten years for it to come out.

Avatar: Fire and Ash is an epic sci-fi film and the sequel to Avatar: The Way of Water thus making it the third installment of the franchise. Lightstorm Entertainment handled production while 20th Century Studios distributed. James Cameron directed and wrote the story alongside Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver.

The story is, shortly after settling with the Metkayina clan but Jake's family are still grabbing with what they lost. But they'll need to pull themselves together when a new tribe called the Mangkwan clan aka The Ash People. This clan just wants to set fire to the world, and they have their sights set on Jake, his family, and the Metkayina clan.

Initial Reaction

To make a long story short, I actually like the Avatar films. Do I think they're perfect? No. But there is some entertainment. So I was interested in where this story would take us in the franchise.

Cons

I've got nothing.

Middle Ground

The biggest mix bag comes from the story. Now there are some good things to it. The strongest one being grief amongst the Sully family. We see how they're absolutely crushed by the loss of a family member, the tension that's causing. It was really good. But the story often times does repeat things we've seen previously. Hell the finale battle takes place on water just like it did in The Way of Water, with only a few different set pieces here and there.

Pros

Let's start with the easiest one, the special effects. Every since the first movie the Avatar movies have been a feast for the eyes. Whether this movie is taken to the skies, riding in the water, or burning things to the ground, the visual effects don't disappoint. Then there's the action. James Cameron continues his streak of being an excellent action director. Even though I criticized the finale it was still a fun ride, but the main aspect that'll draw you in is what comes before. But we get a thrill ambush from the Ash People, we see how the Ash People use fire to their advantage. We get also have the classic case of guns firing and explosions galore. So even if the story isn't the strongest at least the action is never boring.

Sorry if this review wasn't lengthy enough, but those are really the only talking points that needed mentioning without heading into spoilers or feelings nitpicky. But yeah, while I wasn't by any stretch disappointment by the movie, but as far as Avatar movies go, this one's the weakest unless Avatar 4 and Avatar 5 prove otherwise. Which I personally hope doesn't happen.

My final rating is, Okay.

That's all for now. Come back on Monday, Dec 22nd, for my review of Is This Thing On? Until then, enjoy the rest of your day.