James Cameron continues the spectacular world of Pandora with his third film, Avatar: Fire and Ash, a technically brilliant film that leans into previous, major plotlines.
Picking up plot threads, humans are planning to yet again encroach on the Na’vi land while a rival Ash tribe led by the ruthless Varang threatens the Na’vi’s peaceful existence. Colonel Quaritch (Stephen Lang) returns to conquer the Na’vi and find his son Spider who has been raised by Jake (Sam Worthington) and Neytiri (Zoe Saldana). With Quaritch and Varang closing in, the humans are marshalling overwhelming forces that will be an inflection point for the Na’vi. Will they be able to withstand the attack, and can they get help from an unlikely source?
The story about sacrifice and loss is still engaging, but it does feel familiar as it continues a narrative which ultimately does get resolved. There is a fascinating duality with Spider’s two fathers, Quaritch, his bloodline, and Jake, his adoptive father, which forms a significant source of contrast and conflict throughout the film. The concept of family and its deep, emotional bonds looms big along with a sense of community among the tribes. There are also themes involving race, militarization, genocide and the environment with Pandora’s animal life proving a key factor. The ending scenes are memorable especially (for longtime fans) with callbacks to the first film.
Cameron’s
vision is fully realized and never skimps on the concept of family. Continuing his compelling role, Lang gets all
the best lines. With awesome visuals and
sparing no expense, this is an event
film (3 hours and 17 minutes) especially in the climactic, grand battle that demands
to be seen in IMAX and 3D (shot in true 3D).
****
of ***** stars (add ½* for Avatar
fans)
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