Additional Coverage:
- Avatar: Fire and Ash review – More of the same, and it’s starting to feel boring (the-independent.com)
“Avatar: Fire and Ash” – A Spectacle of Sight, But a Story in Stasis?
The cinematic world is once again looking to James Cameron, the visionary often lauded for pushing technological boundaries while upholding artistic integrity. He’s the titan we need in an era grappling with generative AI and the fight to preserve the theatrical experience and respect the craft of VFX artists. Some may have scoffed at Avatar‘s inclusion in Babylon‘s cinematic montage, but perhaps they missed the point.
However, even the most devoted fans might find themselves squirming during the 197-minute runtime of “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” the third installment in Cameron’s ambitious series. Picture this: you’re settling into those plush cinema seats, only for them to start feeling more like unforgiving church pews as Jake Sully’s (Sam Worthington) brood of Na’vi children (and one human) endlessly “bro-fist” and bicker over how to save their beloved Pandora. It’s a scene that, despite its earnestness, feels remarkably repetitive.
Technological advancements in motion-capture technology between “Fire and Ash” and its predecessor, “The Way of Water,” are still impressive, though perhaps not as groundbreaking this time around. The nuance in actor’s micro-expressions is so refined, it almost looks like real people are simply wearing elaborate prosthetics.
And for those seeking visual thrills, the film delivers in spades: dynamic camerawork abounds, whether it’s in intense hand-to-hand combat, breathtaking shots of the dragon-like banshees, or the return of the fan-favorite tattooed, whale-like tulkun. The blend of standard 24fps and crisper 48fps keeps the visuals consistently engaging, with diving, spinning, and POV shots adding to the immersive experience.
Yet, “Fire and Ash” seems to be grappling with a profound sense of emotional stasis. Pandora’s ethereal, bioluminescent landscape continues to be beautifully rendered, and Simon Franglen’s score, incorporating James Horner’s original themes, lends a meditative grace. But the lingering question remains: Is there a compelling narrative truly driving this spectacle, or are we simply content to dwell in this visually stunning world?
The plot ostensibly centers on the limits of faith. Jake and Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) are reeling from the loss of their eldest son, Neteyam, who tragically died in the previous film. Neytiri clings to her devotion to Eywa, the Great Mother, a path also pursued by her adoptive daughter, Kiri (Sigourney Weaver), miraculously born from the Na’vi avatar of human scientist Grace Augustine (also Weaver).
Kiri, however, finds her connection to Eywa blocked. Similarly, the film introduces a new antagonist, Varang (Oona Chaplin), the shamanistic leader of the Mangkwan clan, whose home was ravaged by a volcanic eruption. Believing Eywa abandoned her people, Varang has instead pledged her allegiance to a darker power: the firearms of the colonialist human invasion force, which includes the Na’vi-ified Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang).
Chaplin’s portrayal of Varang is a standout – slinky, strange, and a captivating seductress armed with hallucinogenic darts and promethean ambitions. Her presence is a welcome spark, especially when Cameron’s script, co-written with Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, often frustrates in its underdevelopment of character.
What should be an impassioned clash of ideals between Jake and Neytiri – family loyalty versus tribal loyalty – is muddled by their convenient perspective swaps, seemingly only to propel the action forward. The teenage characters are subjected to an endless cycle of being torn apart and reunited, and the climactic action sequence feels like a rehashing of the previous film’s finale.
Varang’s initial, almost fetishistic devotion to firearms loses some of its impact when the heroes also resort to blasting their way through challenges. Kiri’s prophetess-like demeanor is occasionally undercut by moments that feel like an “Aliens” throwback for Weaver. “Fire and Ash” will undoubtedly carve out its place in cinematic history, but even its grand scale cannot fully excuse these narrative shortcomings.
“Avatar: Fire and Ash”
*Dir: James Cameron.
Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Kate Winslet. Cert 12A, 197 minutes.
In cinemas from December 19th.
Read More About This Story:
- Avatar: Fire and Ash review – More of the same, and it’s starting to feel boring (the-independent.com)