James Cameron likely won’t ever get accused of being a subtle filmmaker, someone content with creating quiet, solemn moments.
Once you embrace that truth, you’ll better appreciate what he brings to the cinematic center ring. He’s a first-rate showman who has few big-picture peers. Cameron is at his best as a filmmaker with a yen for big stories told with sweeping broad strokes rather than delicate ones. And that’s exactly why his behemoth blockbusters such as “Titanic,” “Terminator” and “Aliens” succeed, wowing us in astonishing and eye-popping ways that encourage goosebumps and make us want to nudge the person next to you while marveling at the spectacle we behold together.
His films are meant to be viewed in movie theaters, and, oh, how movie theaters ever need him to keep packing ‘em in.
His third entry in the “Avatar” extravaganza is another visual, technical and aesthetic dazzler packaged in a rather intimidating size (hey, it clocks in at 197 minutes) but never lets us get bored — not even for a nanosecond. Props to that. But it also can’t hide the blemishes of a decent but not exactly revolutionary screenplay. Essentially, Cameron and two other scribes — Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver – are renewing the climate-conscious, indigenous-themed business that’s going on in Pandora in the wake of the crushing events of 2022’s “Avatar: Way of the Water.” (It might help to rewatch that one before doing the “Avatar 3” plunge).
Things are heating up on that glorious-to-behold planet awash with unique, intelligent sea critters, prehistoric-looking birds and others that bond with the Na’vi tribe. Na’vi leader Jake Sully (Sam Worthington) and Na’vi warrior Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña) and their family are fresh into the mourning process and lugging around guilt over the losses suffered in the second film’s climatic battle. Cameron sets the stage from there for various showdowns. One involves gung-ho Colonel Quaritch (Stephen Lang, a regular) of the Resources Development Association as he puts a bead on the head of Jake again. Quaritch also wants to get back his human son Spider (Jack Champion, giving one of the better performances) who’s being raised by the Sully clan but who needs to be returned. Why? It’s too complicated to go into here. The family joins Spider on his return flight via the Wind Traders — a journey that is pretty nifty to look at. That flight leads to other major clashes, and they’re doozies that include intense aerial and land fights. Some of those battles result from the Na’vi squaring off with the fearless, violent-prone Ash People, spitting-mad types commanded by Varang (Oona Chaplin, a most welcome addition to the team) – one of the best villains in the series. There are many other subplots going on — a lot needs to be stuffed into those 3 hours, 17 minutes –– and some turn out better than others.
One casting choice, though, gives you the heebie-jebbies: Sigourney Weaver plays 14-year-old Kiri, adopted daughter who has the spirit of Grace Augustine within her. Since Kiri and Spider are getting close, you can’t help but squirm a bit when you hear Weaver’s voice and you realize she’s in puppy love with Spider who’s closing in on 18. It takes you out of Cameron’s grandiose visual spell, as do a couple of other issues. Set all that aside and realize you’re in for a pure popcorn movie that should be seen in 3-D and you’re in for a good time. Does it hit many of the same narrative beats and fight scenes? It does, but there’s just enough new here to whet our appetite for a fourth film. One can only hope it’s just a tad shorter.
Contact Randy Myers at soitsrandy@gmail.com.
‘AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH’
3 stars out of 4
Rating: PG-13 (sequences of intense action and violence, language, suggestive material)
Starring: Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Oona Chaplin
Director: James Cameron
Running time: 3 hours, 17 minutes
When & where: Opens Dec. 19 in theaters
3¼
