Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Dec 17: Director James Cameron’s much-anticipated third instalment in the Avatar franchise, titled Avatar: Fire and Ash, has begun drawing mixed reactions from critics, with early reviews suggesting that while the film excels visually, it falls short on narrative strength.

According to review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, Fire and Ash has secured a 70 per cent rating so far, making it the lowest-rated film in the franchise. The original Avatar (2009) holds an 81 per cent score, while Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) received 76 per cent, indicating a gradual dip in critical reception.

Several critics have pointed out that the film leans heavily on spectacle and cutting-edge visual effects, but struggles to offer a fresh or engaging storyline. Wenlei Ma of The Nightly rated the film 2.5 out of 5, describing it as “mind-numbingly boring,” despite its technical polish. Echoing similar sentiments, Toronto Star critic Peter Howell wrote that the film suffers from a sense of repetition, feeling like an extension of the previous instalment rather than a bold new chapter.

On social media, viewers and film critics alike have shared comparable opinions. While many applauded Cameron’s world-building and visual ambition, others felt the narrative lacked novelty. One user commented that the film proves “spectacle can only carry a story so far,” while another remarked that Fire and Ash feels overly familiar despite its grand scale.

Despite the lukewarm critical response, industry observers note that the Avatar franchise has historically defied reviews at the box office. The first Avatar remains the highest-grossing film of all time, earning over $2.9 billion worldwide, while The Way of Water collected approximately $2.3 billion globally.

With Cameron planning further sequels, it remains to be seen whether Avatar: Fire and Ash will replicate the commercial success of its predecessors and whether audience response will outweigh early critical concerns.