Highlights
- James Cameron’s third Avatar film debuts with the lowest Rotten Tomatoes score in the series
- Several critics call the film overlong and repetitive, while others praise its scale and visuals
- Reviews range from harsh dismissals to strong endorsements of Cameron’s spectacle
The first reviews for Avatar: Fire and Ash, the third chapter in James Cameron’s blockbuster franchise, paint a divided picture. While some critics praise its scale and technical ambition, others describe the film as bloated and creatively thin. The response marks a noticeable shift for the series, with the film debuting at its lowest Rotten Tomatoes score to date.
Lowest Rotten Tomatoes score in the franchise
Avatar: Fire and Ash opens with a 71% score on Rotten Tomatoes, trailing behind Avatar (81%) and Avatar: The Way of Water (76%). The rating reflects a more muted critical reception compared with the franchise’s earlier entries, both of which were widely celebrated for pushing cinematic boundaries.
Critics pan pacing and storytelling
Several major publications deliver sharply negative verdicts. The Guardian rates the film 2 out of 5, calling it a “three-hour hunk of nonsense” and suggesting that while much of the industry has moved on from 3D, Cameron remains committed to it. The review also mocks the film’s elemental progression, noting that after water and fire, future installments may turn to earth and wind.
The BBC is more severe, awarding the film 1 out of 5 and labeling it “the longest and the worst yet” in the series. The review criticizes its 197-minute runtime, clunky dialogue, loose plotting and heavy-handed spiritual themes, comparing the experience to watching dated arcade graphics.
IndieWire echoes the sense of repetition, observing that the film feels overly familiar. The review argues that while previous installments impressed through novelty and spectacle, the third film lacks both narrative freshness and visual surprise.
The Telegraph also rates the film 1 out of 5, likening it to watching “$380 million of glitter tipped into a fish tank.” While acknowledging the franchise’s massive global box office, the review questions how much more the series has to offer audiences.
Supportive reviews highlight scale and spectacle
Not all critics dismiss the film. IGN acknowledges a sense of déjà vu but credits Cameron for expanding existing ideas with confidence, suggesting the film echoes earlier entries without entirely copying them.
Deadline offers one of the strongest endorsements, calling Fire and Ash a “war epic for the ages.” The review praises Cameron’s command of spectacle and argues that the scale of its action surpasses even the combined impact of the first two films.
Den of Geek strikes a middle ground, describing the film as narratively shallow but visually impressive. The review calls it an aesthetic triumph that still justifies the price of admission, even as it criticizes broader blockbuster trends.
Empire is among the most positive voices, rating the film 4 out of 5. The magazine highlights Cameron’s blockbuster craftsmanship, noting that despite some repetition, the film delivers epic, immersive cinema worth its lengthy runtime.
Release details
Avatar: Fire and Ash premieres at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood and is set for theatrical release this December. As audience reactions begin to emerge, the film’s long-term reception may yet differ from its sharply divided critical response.
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