★★★★
If I had to sum up Avatar 3: Fire and Ash, it’s basically Avatar 2 showing up in an expensive new outfit and hoping you won’t notice. Fundamentally, it’s the same drama and chaos just accessorised with a new fire and ash clan to keep you seated.
I start with some upsetting news for the fans who were hoping Neteyam may come back to life – hate to break it to you, but he doesn’t. And this emotional aftermath from Neteyam’s death from the last movie hangs heavy in the film’s opening scenes. Jake is attempting to keep the family together, Neytiri is grieving in a way that feels raw and primal, and the younger siblings are still figuring out how to live in a world without their elder brother. It’s a dark, painful beginning, but it works. The wholesomeness of Jake and Neytiri’s relationship here is particularly captivating. For once, the franchise allows us to see them not just as strong fighters but also as companions facing a very real tragedy. Jake gives her caring, genuine support throughout her hardest times.
The movie then drifts into familiar waters, and not in a subtle way. There’s a lot of repetition from James Cameron, as if he clicked “paste” after copying The Way of Water’s structure. Avatar 3 feels familiar, but it’s also obviously moving in the direction of something bigger.
The most interesting addition to Pandora to date is the Ash People. They’re all tough, and ethically questionable, but Varang played by Oona Chaplin, stands out right away. Sharp, clever, and terrifyingly powerful, her ruthlessness makes even the Sky People seem like amateurs. The fact she’s Charlie Chaplin’s granddaughter only makes her screen presence feel even more legendary. Despite her villainy, Varang is also part of my new favourite on-screen romance, as she connects with Quaritch. Their relationship appears out of nowhere, but the chemistry? Unhinged, diabolical and surprisingly sensitive at times. I didn’t realise I needed this kind of character growth until I saw Quaritch genuinely warm towards a Na’vi. And Varang? I want more. A more in-depth background story. A spin-off. A limited series with ten episodes, absolutely anything.
Then there was the war-boat déjà vu. Yes, it’s another massive sea-bound fight, but this time it’s far bigger, bringing on the return of the Toruk Makto, spanning the sky and the seas. It’s explosive, chaotic, and visually stunning in the best possible way. Even though he is repeating himself, Cameron is skilled at staging a fight.
Naturally, the Quaritch survival loop is vital to any Avatar movie. We know the drill, he is on the verge of death at the end of the film again, but saved once more, but on this one we’re left on a cliff hanger, is he alive or is he dead? Who knows. The man seems to be Pandora’s most stubborn boomerang at this point.
Nevertheless, Avatar 3 is a hugely enjoyable watch despite the flaws it has. Time jumps have always worked well for this franchise, as proven by The Way of Water, so you can imagine the excitement on my face when I found out Avatar 4 is rumoured to have an eight-year time skip. I’m eager to see more of Varang, who has all the makings of an iconic figure, and to watch how the Sully family develops individually as well as together. In the end, it stands tall like the Na’vi at 4.5 out of 5 stars.
