Sixteen years after its first time on screen, the third Avatar movie was released at the end of 2025. With Director James Cameron announcing that this could be the final installment of the series, a lot was riding on the movie’s success. Having a runtime of over three hours, “Avatar: Fire and Ash” attempts to balance holding your attention long enough to leave you satisfied and leaving you wanting more.
The story begins just a few days after the previous movie ended. The Sully family mourns the death of its eldest son in a variety of ways, showcasing the different ways grief can affect someone. Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and his son Lo’ak (Britain Dalton) attempt to keep busy by preparing themselves for the dangers ahead, stalking up on weapons for the inevitable battle against the human Sky People. Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) falls into a deep depression, retreating into her faith as a means of finding purpose in her pain. Kiri (Sigourney Weaver), Tuk (Trinity Bliss) and Spider (Jack Champion) try to distract themselves from their loss by enjoying the reef and spending time with their newfound friends.
Spider, being the only human, struggles to live among the Reef People as he’s never been so far from the High Camp, or more specifically, their equipment. Unable to breathe Pandora’s air, Spider is forced to constantly wear a mask, switching between them if one breaks. Jake and Neytiri ultimately decide it’s too dangerous for him to live like this, resolving to bring Spider back to the High Camp. Their children are devastated by the news, especially Kiri, who is quick to point out Neytiri’s hate for humans and overall disinterest in Spider’s company. Jake, however, sympathizes with his children and suggests the family travel together to High Camp to see him off, calling it a family trip.
Meanwhile, Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang) is unwilling to let go of old grudges. Killing Jake’s son isn’t enough to satisfy his need for revenge. He continues to track Jake’s movements across Pandora, wanting to both capture Jake and have him face judgment for his past actions, as well as reconnect with Spider, the son he never knew he needed until he lost him.
The Sullys’ trip quickly falls apart when their airship is attacked by a new Na’vi clan: the Ash People. Led by Varang (Oona Chaplin), the group of raiders can shoot down a number of airships and terrorize the inhabitants. Even after escaping, the Sullys are pursued by Varang as she takes an interest in their guns, having never seen them before. Recognizing their power and wanting it for herself, she threatens to kill the children if no one steps forward to teach her how to use them. Quaritch does so, though it results in his capture as well.
When the group escapes, Varang remembers this moment with the colonel and doesn’t view him as a threat, eventually choosing to let them go as they no longer serve a use to her. Recognizing that neither can properly fight, Quaritch parts ways with Jake, swearing to end their feud finally the next time they meet.
While Jake rushes back to his family to prepare for what’s coming, Quaritch seeks Varang as a potential ally in his fight against the Sully family.
“Avatar: Fire and Ash” focuses on themes of acceptance and identity. Characters like Spider and Quaritch, both seen as members of the Sky People, are put in situations that force them to decide who they are and what side they want to stand on. Kiri is met with challenges unique to her and her relationship to Ewya, the great mother and goddess of Pandora. Alone in her struggle to understand herself and what path she’s destined to walk, Kiri’s journey is one of a young girl finding inner strength through perseverance and faith.
Cameron has stated before that he envisioned the Avatar series in five parts, making “Avatar: Fire and Ash” the halfway point in the Sullys’ story. The movies are extremely expensive to make due to the amount of CGI required. Cameron recognizes his own ambition and has said that if this movie is unable to reach a certain level of popularity, he’ll be unable to maintain the level of quality his previous works possess.
This would mean the end of the Avatar series, but Cameron seems to have made peace with that, even incorporating this possibility into the ending of Fire and Ash.
I was overall engaged in the movie. The visuals were stunning, and the acting was incredible. While I preferred the music in the other films, I wouldn’t consider the soundtrack bad. Some of the songs just felt out of place or invoked the wrong emotion for a particular scene. I was slightly put off by the length of the film as well. While I did see the importance in every scene, some dragged on longer than necessary. Alertive story beats for certain characters would have shortened the overall runtime.
I found “Avatar: Fire and Ash” to be pleasing. It isn’t Cameron’s strongest film, but I was entertained, nonetheless.
If you plan to see this movie in theaters, I’d recommend bringing a large drink and a deeper popcorn bowl along with you. You’ll be there for a minute, but you’ll be content all the while.