“Avatar: Fire and Ash” was released on December 19. This is the third movie in the “Avatar” series, following “Avatar: The Way of Water” and “Avatar.” The new film follows Jake Sully and his family as they cope with the loss of their eldest son after a war with humans. These humans are attempting to colonize the planet Pandora as Earth deteriorates. The Na’vi, Pandora’s native people, face a new threat from the fire-worshipping Ash Clan, which allies with the humans. The film introduces a volcanic setting and the emergence of new powers. It continues themes of identity, morality and the consequences of violence and colonization.
The movie is directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker James Cameron, who has overseen the two previous “Avatar” films, as well as other blockbuster hits such as “Titanic” and “The Terminator.” According to the Internet Movie Database, “Avatar,” released in 2009, is the highest-grossing movie of all time, followed by “Avengers: Endgame,” “Avatar: Way of Water” and “Titanic.” Three out of the top four highest-grossing films are directed by James Cameron (all but “Avengers”). So what makes him so special?
Cameron is a pioneer in pushing the limits of technology in filmmaking. He is exceptional at bringing his creative vision into near-reality through innovative technology. To achieve an incredible level of realism, he has developed his own refined camera systems and helped advance computer-generated imagery (CGI). This does a great job of transporting the audience into a new, breathtaking world. It feels real. This is especially evident in “Avatar,” as he used motion-capture technology to blend real performances with digital elements to bring the Na’vi people to life.
“Avatar” was revolutionary. Before, there was really nothing like it. Nobody used CGI and special effects to the extent that James Cameron did. Most movies used CGI as a supplement, not relying on it for the entire success of the film. “Avatar” is 60 to 70% CGI according to the BBC. For the time, this made it unmatched in terms of visual effects. Just think about seeing something like that in 2009; it’s unimaginable. It set the standard for subsequent CGI and 3D films.
Part of this technology usage is actually strategic for moneymaking. The visual effects in all of Cameron’s movies demand the biggest screen possible. This forces people to come to the theaters to watch his movies if they want a good viewing experience.
On the rating guide Rotten Tomatoes, “Avatar” scored 81% on Tomatometer (professional critics’ ratings) and 82% on Popcornmeter (ratings from the everyday audience). A rating of 60% or higher on both meters means reviews are generally positive. “Avatar: Way of Water” scored 76% and 92% on the two metrics, respectively.
Cameron’s story lines are not original, but they do not need to be. They are relatable, and it remains a formula that works every time. He does not do anything too complex, sticking to classic tropes of love, survival and humanity. However, with “Avatar: Fire and Ash” being the third movie, it may feel old and repetitive.
On Rotten Tomatoes, “Avatar: Fire and Ash” rates 66% on the Tomatometer and 90% on the Popcornmeter. The overall audience impression seems to be mixed: critics on Rotten Tomatoes say that it feels repetitive, while others view it as a thrilling spectacle. Regardless of bad reviews or not, with a reported budget of over $400 million, the film has already grossed over $1 billion globally within its first two weeks, according to Forbes. This will potentially be the highest-grossing film of 2026. However, whether it will reach record-breaking numbers like the past two films is not certain, as its current performance is slightly slower than the past two films.