While viewing the awe-inspiring world of Avatar sixteen years ago, and again in Avatar 2, you find yourself either captivated by the enchanting blue beings of Pandora or not. As for me, I’m totally fascinated by them and the intricacies of their vibrant biosphere—bring it on! I was especially thrilled to see Spider, played by Jack Champion, have such a major role in “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” especially after interviewing him at the Critics’ Choice Awards in 2022. Yes, it’s a very long movie, 3 hours and 16 minutes, although I saw it in 3D, which I would highly recommend.
Is “Avatar: Fire and Ash” for small children, the answer is, no? It’s rated PG-13 complete with swear words and obscene jesters that are inappropriate for kids under 13 years of age. Also, they would become confused with the multilabel story lines, at times it was a little challenging and frustrating for myself to switch between scenes. Although all is forgiven as the bottom line for me is that “Avatar: Fire and Ash” is a masterpiece. It has elements covered in a science fiction reality, as in theme, speculative concepts, imagination, characters, futuristic ideas, advanced technology, future settings, and altered realities. In my prior teaching days of teaching bright children, we taught kids how to think critically and creatively. Director James Cameron’s Avatar films are some of my favorites as he implements so much creativity into all aspects of them.
The Sully family is the central family of the Avatar franchise: Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), his Na’vi mate Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña), and their children Neteyam, Lo’ak, Tuk, their adoptive daughter Kiri, and human adopted son Spider (Miles Socorro). They form a blended and unique family on the fictional moon Pandora. It is mainly made up of gas, and scientists are actively looking for similar worlds. There are also floating mountains. It has gravity to keep Saturn’s narrow F Ring particles in line, though it also creates disturbances, featuring grooves, ridges, and a dusty surface. In contrast, the fictional Planet Pandora in Avatar has complex ecosystems, magnetic storms, and toxic air. The movie’s Pandora is also a lush, dangerous world orbiting a gas giant named Polyphemus.
The Sully family is the central family of the Avatar franchise: Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), his Na’vi mate Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña), and their children Neteyam, Lo’ak, Tuk, their adoptive daughter Kiri, and human adopted son Spider (Miles Socorro). They form a blended and unique family on the fictional moon Pandora. It is mainly made up of gas, and scientists are actively looking for similar worlds. There are also floating mountains. It has gravity to keep Saturn’s narrow F Ring particles in line, though it also creates disturbances, featuring grooves, ridges, and a dusty surface. In contrast, the fictional Planet Pandora in Avatar has complex ecosystems, magnetic storms, and toxic air. The movie’s Pandora is also a lush, dangerous world orbiting a gas giant named Polyphemus.
Yes, the Sullys are still mourning the loss of their eldest son, Matteo, who died near the end of the second film. Neytiri and Jake try to carry on in the face of that loss, choosing anger and militant action as coping mechanisms. The other Sully children, Tuk and the adopted Kiri (Sigourney Weaver), along with the human named Spider (Jake Champion), grow and evolve with time. Kiri begins to explore her more profound connection to Eywa, the Goddess of Pandora, and the abilities granted to her, which, in turn, lead to Spider being able to breathe Pandoran air. This stunning revelation leads to a new conflict with the human colonizers, led by the repurposed Na’vi Quaritch. (Stephen Lang), joined by the savage, volcano-dwelling Mangkwan clan, as they race to discover how to save humanity to prevent Pandora’s exploitation for corporate gain.
Avatar: Fire and Ash is a masterpiece in its own right, despite being the third film in the series. If anything, the film will gain new audiences and continue to want more of the series. The breathtaking visuals and exhilarating action sequences keep the Pandora world engaging. This creative world sparks ideas in young and old to ponder and discuss. I have many questions for James Cameron if I meet him in the future, though for now I’m thankful these new ideas are out in the world, and who knows what others will create next. So yes, see Avatar: The Way of Water in a theater near you for a unique experience—my audience cheered and clapped at the ending, and that always makes me very happy.
Cast:
- Zoe Saldana as Neytiri te Tskaha Mo’at’ite Jake’s wife who left the Omaticaya, and joined the Metkayina.
- Sam Worthington as Jake Sully, a former human who fell in love with Neytiri and befriended the Na’vi after becoming a part of the Avatar Program
- Sigourney Weaver as Kiri te Suli Kìreysì’ite, the daughter of Dr. Grace Augustine’s Na’vi avatar, who was adopted by Jake and Neytiri
- Jack Champion as Miles “Spider” Socorro, the teenaged son of Quaritch. He’s who rescued and adopted by Jake and Neytiri.
- Stephen Lang as Colonel Miles Quaritch formerly a human military commander who led the forces of the RDA, the human organization colonizing Pandora.
Director: James Cameron