The first reviews for “Avatar 3: Fire and Ash” are here. Visually spectacular, narratively weak – what the press says about James Cameron’s new film.
With “Avatar 3: Fire and Ash,” one of the biggest spectacles of the cinema year is about to begin. James Cameron invites you once again to Pandora to continue the adventures of his protagonist Jake Sully. The first press reviews are in – so how does the film fare?
What is it about?
Protagonist Jake Sully, played by Sam Worthington, was accepted into the Metkayina tribe. However, with growing anger over the death of their eldest son, Jake and his wife Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) do not share the Water Na’vi’s pacifist stance. In addition, the human teenager Spider finds himself in a conflict and stands between the humans and the Na’vi. New problems and conflicts are emerging. The third part of the saga remains true to its core themes of family, identity and community. In addition, a new Na’vi people are introduced who are primarily dedicated to fire and act as an antagonist in the film.
Initial press reviews were rather negative
Shortly before the cinema release, the press has its say. However, the feedback on the film is rather sobering. Visually, the new epic will once again feature epoch-making images that will leave viewers amazed. The new offshoot supposedly trumps the second part once again. But that is also urgently necessary, because in terms of narrative, “Avatar 3: Fire and Ash” is apparently just a rehash of the second part, which hardly has anything new to offer, according to the initial media response.
“NDR Kultur”, for example, writes of a razor-sharp and overwhelming cinematic experience, but it is simply too long and can no longer conceal the narrative weaknesses after a certain point during the running time.
“Filmstarts.de” draws a similar conclusion about the film. Thanks to improved HD rendering and flawless 3D implementation, the effects work is significantly better than its predecessor. The leap that the new part makes in contrast to its predecessor is clearly visible and breathtaking. The new offshoot of the series is more immersive and offers spectacular battles and scenarios. As far as the story goes, “The Way of Water” “would have been a more honest title.” Many scenarios supposedly go nowhere and make little sense. In addition, the new part simply offers nothing new and the “fraying story could have been told in half the time”. The film magazine comes to the conclusion: “Visually even more breathtaking than ever before. But narratively the air on Pandora is slowly getting thin.”
The film didn’t fare well with “Rolling Stone” either. James Cameron’s new work copies more than it offers innovation. It is exactly the same plot with the same scenarios that Jake Sully and his family have to live through. In addition, the film takes place in exactly the same sets as its predecessor. Instead of expanding the world, the film only heats it up and offers the viewer nothing new.
“Die Zeit” agrees with the whole thing: “The new ‘Avatar’ is supposed to be the cinema event of the year. That’s right. But not in a good way,” is the headline in the paper.
When does the new part of the “Avatar” series start?
“Avatar 3: Fire and Ashes” will be released in cinemas on December 19, 2025 and will then also be available to the general public. It remains to be seen what the fan feedback will be.