Renowned director James Cameron has delivered the third instalment in his monumental Avatar franchise, but Avatar: Fire And Ash arrives with a colossal runtime that has left critics questioning whether more is truly merrier. Clocking in at a staggering 197 minutes, the film prompts comparisons to lengthy mini-breaks rather than concise storytelling.
A Director Unrestrained
There is a moment in many celebrated directors' careers when the usual editorial constraints seem to vanish. While legends like Ridley Scott and Martin Scorsese have been known for lengthy films recently, James Cameron has arguably surpassed them all with this epic. The film, which reportedly cost over $400 million to produce, often feels like a project designed to satisfy directorial ambition as much as audience enjoyment.
This is not to dismiss Cameron's undeniable talent for spectacle. Avatar: Fire And Ash contains moments of breathtaking visual wonder, particularly in its meticulously crafted chase and battle sequences. However, these highlights struggle to combat a creeping sense of boredom, eventually giving way to viewer fatigue and a palpable relief when the final credits prepare to roll.
The Story of Fire, Ash, and Pink-Skins
The narrative continues the saga established in 2009's original Avatar, set in the year 2154 on the resource-rich moon of Pandora. Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and his Na'vi wife Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) embark on a mission to return their adopted human son, Spider (Jack Champion), to his own 'pink-skin' kind.
Their journey takes a dramatic turn when their group is attacked by the 'ash people', the volcanic Mangkwan tribe, led by the fierce Varang (Oona Chaplin). Captured and facing sacrifice, the plot thickens as Varang seeks to learn 'how to make thunder'—to master the firearms of the human invaders. The story consciously echoes classic Western tropes, featuring sky and underwater battles that feel both fantastical and familiar.
Where the Epic Stumbles
Despite its grand ambitions, the film falters under its own weight. The narrative becomes turgid and repetitive, with dialogue that occasionally veers into the unintentionally humorous. Lines such as Varang's declaration, 'We do not suck on the breast of weakness,' risk eliciting giggles rather than the intended awe.
Further subplots add to the sprawl. Colonel Miles Quaritch (Stephen Lang) forms an ominous alliance with Varang, while General Ardmore (Edie Falco) works to prepare Pandora for full-scale human colonisation. Falco delivers a committed performance, a world away from her iconic role in The Sopranos, though the military fatigues seem a less natural fit than her former New Jersey glamour.
Seen in the 3D format Cameron champions, the film's sense of artificiality is, paradoxically, sometimes heightened, even during its most impressive technical displays.
The Verdict on Pandora's Latest Chapter
Ultimately, Avatar: Fire And Ash serves as a protracted setup for the already-promised fourth and fifth films in the series. For all its visual budget and scope, the experience can feel like a marathon. While fans of Cameron's world-building may find elements to admire, the three-hour and seventeen-minute journey is likely to leave some viewers feeling more exhausted than exhilarated. The film is in cinemas across the UK now, offering a spectacle that is as much a test of endurance as it is of imagination.
