Avatar: Fire and Ash – Movie Reviews by Ry!

Avatar: Fire and Ash – The Burn of Self and Sacrifice …

With imagination comes a thread of possibilities.  In that lingering unknown, thoughts swirl with a sense of brevity that pushes forward a unique touch.  From a paint brush stroke to poetry, what is believable is a concept that lays the foundation for artistic risk.  For film, this foundation can provide a leap, building up an adventure that can leave an everlasting mark.  In this review, I look at the latest fantasy sequel to hit the big screen.  In a return to Pandora, Avatar: Fire and Ash is a simple tale that shows how moments can define what it means to see with your own eyes … and believe.

We return to Pandora once more, as new threats and conflicting tribes put a target on the Sully family.  When morality and conviction are tested, will they still find that reason to believe?  In film, no matter if it is an epic action sequence or an emotional saga of love, it comes down to the journey and how that provides a spark of certainty for you.  This is a point made by James Cameron (writer/director), who continues to bring that grip of creativity with our return to Pandora.  As with his previous entries, the world is built on this amazing but imaginative spectacle, but this time … it becomes one where triviality starts to crack this awe like shine.  We begin with our focus on the Sully family, who are grieving the passing of their son (from the previous film).  Through subtle conversations and plot driven moments, we head through a sequence that reels us back into the Na’vi world, as we get re-acclimated back to the people, culture and ensuing conflict with the humans.  As we weave through colorful set pieces, we head into an action sequence that introduces a warrior Na’vi tribe known as the Ash people.  This leads to a sequence of subtle conflicts and expositional conversations, building up a specific MacGuffin that becomes the centerpiece of this new journey for the Sullys and their fight to protect the Na’vi and Pandora.  With a linear directive, emotions begin to run high for the Sully’s.  Through slow moments and action set pieces, we move between spectacle and thematic clauses of morality.  This lengthy dive gives certain characters more time to shine through their own self-like journey, but it all becomes collateral for the sake of adventure.  For all the technical greatness (CGI world, character creation, expansion of the lore), that emotional fervor never reaches its peak because of generic tropes, melodrama and copout plot devices.  With a shaky thread of excitement, we move through a journey that leaves you with a feeling of wanting more.

As new challenges await the Sully’s and the other Na’vi tribes, the focus on specific characters alleviate some of the generic ramblings of the journey.  Things move between its mantra of nature vs. nurture, allowing for some characterization to stand out through unforgettable action and suspense sequences.  With everyone realizing what must be done, we head into a third act of superb action sequences.  With everything on the line, we come to a full circle climax and epilogue.  Avatar: Fire and Ash is a simple tale that stands out through its visual creations.  If you are a fan of action, fantasy or have been enjoying this James Cameron creation … you will not be disappointed.  For everyone else, I think there is enough here for a good time at the theaters. 

Full Score – 3.5 out of 5 (Matinee)