Review of the IMAX 3D film ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ (2025)
SPOILER ALERT. Revelations are told about the previous films:
In the film Avatar doctor Grace Augustine and colonel Miles Quaritch die, Neytiri does not, and corporal Jake Sully gets his mind permanently moved to his avatar.
In the film Avatar: The Way of Water Kiri is born from the avatar of Grace Augustine, Jake Sully and Neytiri have sons Neteyam, Lo’ak and Tuktirey, Miles Quaritch has posthumous son Miles ‘Spider’ Socorro, memories from colonel Miles Quaritch and corporal Lyle Wainfleet are implanted into new avatars, and Neteyam dies.
There is not a many-year gap this time: this film is a close continuation to Avatar: The Way of Water, beginning shortly after its events. The Sully family, Jack, Neytiri, Lo’ak and Tuktirey, continue to live amongst the Metkayina clan, together with orphans Kiri and Spider.
As for the humans, they continue their operations from the previous film searching for anti-ageing substance Amrita, rather than the room-temperature superconductor Unobtanium from the first film. In my review of Avatar: The Way of Water, I observed that every Avatar film seemed to justify the human presence on Pandora with a different reason, as some kind of running joke – well, it seems that they settled on Amrita for now. Anyway, this shows the main weakness from the script – to be repetitive, as many situations from the previous film happen again.
On the other hand, the script portraits the Pandora world in a consistent, very detailed way, and adds new elements to the world. Not all Na’vi are peaceful: the aggressive Mangkwan attack other Na’vi and are happy to get their four-fingered hands into firearms. Their leader, the relentless Varang, is to cross paths with the protagonists. The characters are well defined and their relations are well developed.
This film, as the previous ones, combines real images with computer-generated ones. The IMAX 3D version offers an excellent IMAX quality, and an unparalleled 3D depth that makes the spectator feel to be on location. I will not use the word ‘perfect’ , for future always brings better versions, but I will say it is the best 3D so far. The image quality alone makes it worthwhile to watch the IMAX 3D version.
As usual for a Cameron film, there is attention to detail and right pacing. The Pandora world is an spectacle in itself, with its many creatures. I will not let slip a small mistake though: there are a couple eclipses in the film, the first one showing the sun rising in the same spot where it set. As for the acting direction, the same divide from the previous film stands: performance of human characters has not a good acting tone, but performance of Na’vi characters, not only voiced by actors but also played with movement-capture suits and helmets so the computer-generated characters reflect the actor’s performance, is really good. As for the music, it is adequate, but not brilliant.
Time for the acting. Weak performances from Jack Champion and Brendan Cowell. Just about performances from Jemaine Clement, Giovanni Ribisi and also Sigourney Weaver, who does not shine at playing innocence. Good performances from Zoe Saldaña, Sam Worthington, Kate Winslet, Britain Dalton and Jamie Flatters. Highlighted performances from Oona Chaplin, Bailey Bass and Edie Falco. Brilliant performances from Cliff Curtis and Stephen Lang, who for many minutes of the film steals the role of protagonist.
All in all, an excellent science-fiction
action film. 4 out of 5.
Title: |
Avatar: Fire and Ash |
Genre: |
Science-fiction |
Year: |
2025 |
Nationality: |
United States, Canada |
Colour: |
Colour |
Director: |
James Cameron |
Writer: |
James Cameron, Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, Josh Friedman, Shane Salerno |
Cast: |
Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Oona Chaplin, Kate Winslet, Cliff Curtis, Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Edie Falco, Brendan Cowell, Jemaine Clement, Giovanni Ribisi, David Thewlis, Britain Dalton, Jack Champion, Trinity Jo-Li Bliss, Jamie Flatters, Bailey Bass, Filip Geljo, Duane Evans Jr., Matt Gerald, Dileep Rao, Daniel Lough, Laz Alonso, Kevin Dorman, Wes Studi, Keston John, Dai Daniel, Alicia Vela-Bailey, Slaine Mckenzie, Johnny Alexander, Tim Parsons, Jamie Landau, Daniel Bos, Graham Vincent, Christopher Moore, Phil Brown, Braedyn Humphries, Joel Tobeck, Wilson Sze, Shane Rangi, Tapiwa Soropa, Grant Roa, Jordan Fitzgerald, Howard Cyster, Heston Hawe, Robert Okumu, Kacie Borrowman, Courtney Rosemont, Jennifer Stafford, Jake McLean, Kevin Henderson, Shawn Driscoll, Devereau Chumrau, Tarikura Kapea, Victoria Atkin, Brooke St. Johns, Eyalla Tu'ipuluto, Julene Renee |
Producer: |
James Cameron, Jon Landau |
Co-producer: |
Jamie Landau, Brigitte Yorke |
Executive producer: |
Richard Baneham, Rae Sanchini, Peter M. Tobyansen, David Valdes |
Production designer: |
Dylan Cole, Ben Procter |
Cinematographer: |
Russell Carpenter |
Film editor: |
David Brenner, James Cameron, Nicolas De Toth, Jason Gaudio, John Refoua, Stephen E. Rivkin |
Casting: |
Margery Simkin |
Art Director: |
Joseph Kono-Woo, Sohmyoung Hadassah Park |
Set Decorator: |
Vanessa Cole |
Costume Designer: |
Deborah L. Scott |
Music: |
Simon Franglen |
Running time: |
197 minutes |
Language: |
English, Na’vi |
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