• Hey Guest. Check out your NeoGAF Wrapped 2025 results here!

Avatar: Fire and Ash | Official Trailer

I'm man enough to say I cried watching The Way of Water in the theater, and then again at home months later. The whole interactive flashback that they had hit me, but that's likely because I have three boys that I love more than anything.

If Suzy Amos (sp?) cried, I expect there are some heart-tugging scenes similar to the one from The Way of Water.
I'm man enough to admit I only watched the 1st one and wish I could have that time back
 
I'm man enough to admit I only watched the 1st one and wish I could have that time back
The Office Grandpa GIF by MOODMAN
 
Saw it on the biggest screen possible here in New Zealand.
I was entertained.
Liked it better than Way of Water. Will try to catch a 3D screening next time.
 
have Friday tickets for the laser 3d showing at my local vue

Looking forward to it. As for me regardless of story, acting and action beats. It's a Jim Cameron movie and he is in mega budget mode

Automatic must see. Even if we are on the 3rd go around with blue people

He earned his right to do what he wants. In my book. So even if the quality or impact fades. I'm still good for at least one watch on the big screen

Besides. It's near impossible to watch a 3d movie where the 3d actually enhances the movie and experience, these days. Avatar at least pretty much guarantees that 👍😎
 
Was there an big endfight? Might only go for that.
Damn well better be. I just hope it isn't 2.5 hours of nature doc and then 45 min of non-stop war.

I want 2.5 hours of WAR with a little nature siesta in there somewhere :P

My son and I have been spitballing plot points, be curious to see how many we get right. Not that I expect "that's a twist!" stuff from Avatar.

bad fire girl gets betrayed by the hooomans, is fatally wounded, and accepts uploading into Gaia in the end

hybrid commando guy (Steven Langs character) flips to the na'vi, and then has to fight earlier, meaner versions of himself

film 1 had floating unobtanium, film 2 had longevity whale brain juice, so film 3 probably has quantum computing substance harvested from gaia herself
 
As people at the beginning have said - I don't understand why this IP is popular. It's mediocre.
Spectacle.

People flock to these movies for the experience, the kind you can't really replicate at home. I think it's pure cinematic escapism. If it feels "mediocre" in script alone, that's because it's built for the theater, not deep analysis.

No matter how familiar the story feels, those visuals, man… they just hit different
 
I never watched Way of Water, but I have the blu ray I got from a closing sale of FYE.

Hope the humans win in this one
 
LOL. Yet it and it's sequels occupy a space in your mind over a decade on, and these films have made such an indelible mark in your psyche that you are so active in this awesome thread.
You got me. It's all I think about it consumes me everyday or maybe its just me having fun. Nice projecting you got going on there. I hope you have a theater room in your house.
 
You got me. It's all I think about it consumes me everyday or maybe its just me having fun. Nice projecting you got going on there. I hope you have a theater room in your house.
Well, I'm just ribbing you as well. All in good fun.

Regarding projectors, I love them! I do have a theater room. I have UST laser projector with a 120" screen in it, taking up about 70% of my wall... Someday I will go bigger! That little black box below the screen is the UST laser projector... about 14" from the wall, projecting 120" of magic. It gets used mostly for sports recently, but movies are pretty amazing.

480669124_10161365356043129_8072123714308207232_n.jpg
 
Last edited:
Well, I'm just ribbing you as well. All in good fun.

Regarding projectors, I love them! I do have a theater room. I have UST laser projector with a 120" screen in it, taking up about 70% of my wall... Someday I will go bigger! That little black box below the screen is the UST laser projector... about 14" from the wall, projecting 120" of magic. It gets used mostly for sports recently, but movies are pretty amazing.

480669124_10161365356043129_8072123714308207232_n.jpg
take off your socks....wiggle your toes...

wvaIY8VCJdwODc1L.gif
 
No idea why this franchise is so popular.

The 3D first time round was pretty cool but the actual movies are probably the worst James Cameron's done. I fell asleep during the second one and have still not finished it. This looks more of the same.
It's basically the movie equivalent of an amusement park ride. There's no real substance, but the real-time experience is awesome. I'd never watch these movies at home, but they're a great 3D theater experience.
 
It's basically the movie equivalent of an amusement park ride. There's no real substance, but the real-time experience is awesome. I'd never watch these movies at home, but they're a great 3D theater experience.
Yeah i enjoyed the first one at the cinema so I get what you are saying. The actual film I'd rate as one of Camerons worst if you take away the 3D wow factor at the time.

I couldn't make it through the second one at home without falling asleep.
 
Last edited:
Saw it in IMAX 3D HFR
It was a spectacle alright, better than way of the water, though I still think the first movie is much better than either.

Enjoyed it overall, and the design for varang was on point, she looked striking and more memorable than anything in the franchise where all these blue cat ppl just kinda blend together.

This is definitely a movie to watch for the spectacle, so a theater watch is probably the only real way to experience it.
 
Last edited:
Is it too intense for a 9 year old?
If we're talking emotional impact, slightly more intense than the Tulkun hunt scene or Neteyam's death. I'm more surprised that they went there than by how it's shown.
The action is dope, kids can handle badass evil aliens no problem.
Also best explosions ever!
 
Just got out of the cinema, wow that was absolutely remarkable for visuals!

I don't see how anything can better it for the quality of the special effects.

I was constantly in awe of what I was seeing!

I think I watched it the best wsy it can be seen, I went to the second biggest IMAX in the UK as it has dual gt laser projector that supports HFR and 3D so is absolutely ideal for a digital movie.

I'm considering trying to watch it one more time in the local dolby cinema as dolby vision, dolby atmos, 3D, HFR would also make a claim for being the best.

Definitely worth watching in a good cinema though!

Truly incredible how anything can look that good!

The movie was better than the second one for sure but I'm worried that it's going to become too samey if James Cameron keeps making them.
 
just finished it. Had a ton of action. Very fun movie I need to see it again. I'm just wondering
if colonel quaritch is dead after jumping from the rock after saving his son with Jake and if the humans are going to come back after getting their as$ beat and retreating. Is there going to be fourth movie now ??? It's not too clear if Jake and his family and Navi are going to be safe from now on from the pesky humans. Probably need to see how much it makes at the box office
 
Do they have battles with human machinery still? They don't show much of it in the trailers, can't tell if that's a good thing or not.
 
Watched it last night right after work, and the movie is outstanding. I felt the story parts gave the action parts so much weight. Chaplin as Varang was mesmerizing. You could see the wonder and the murder in her eyes, and her movements were both eerie and fascinating at the same time. Watched in in 3D without HFR, but want to catch a showing with HFR.

I'm definitely going to see it again. Perhaps in either Dolby Prime or Imax, this showing was the only one with decent seats last night and was in Real 3D. That's when my thoughts will be pour out. I can say I enjoyed it immensely, and felt freaking immersed! Some of the water effects were unbelievable.
 
I heard Avengers Doomsday teaser was shown before the movie starts, how was the audience reaction?

Did the tease met with thunderous claps and standing ovation?
 
Just back from a 3d hfr laser showing

The most entertaining one so far. Just eyeball melting and presentation and looks wise a big step up. An epic war movie, just on a far away planet with blue people

Personally it did feel like a part 2 to a part 2. As mentioned to close off this part of the story

And James Cameron. Truly on top of his game and showing off just how far ahead he is. Of pretty much every other action director out there.

I get the more of the same complaints and that the director should look to do other projects. But when it comes down to it. Avatar is pretty special and really does show you what $400 odd million buys you. When it's all onscreen and not on stars

Recommend you see it on the biggest screen you can in 3d.

(Full disclosure. My daughter was only little when wanted to see the first one and we went on first release. And now with her all grown up and in her 20s. It's something she still wants to do and looks forward to. With her old man ❤️)
 
Last edited:
It's basically the movie equivalent of an amusement park ride. There's no real substance, but the real-time experience is awesome. I'd never watch these movies at home, but they're a great 3D theater experience.
The 3D version isn't bad at home -- if you have a good display for it. I'm hoping we get one last Blu-ray 3D from this film. We'll see. I was surprised when Way of Water got one.
 
Saw it today, I give it a thumbs up overall, even though there's some really stupid shit in it. It almost makes The Way of Water redundant, because this is essentially a superior retelling of that movie. You could have smooshed TWoW and Fire and Ash together for a sequel which would confidently have stood alongside the first movie, possibly even surpassed it. Absolutely jaw-dropping visuals. Action so perfectly executed and thrilling you can't imagine better. I thought all those weirdos gooning over Neytiri back in the day were off their rocker, but after seeing Varang... the way she moves sure is something, and she steals just about every scene she's in. Quaritch is fantastic and gets the best lines as always. If you didn't like the first two movies then you won't like this, as it's not doing anything new, but it's a solid, if unnecessarily long ride. Well done Jim.
 
From the leak footage, they sound pretty excited with loud cheer and claps. But that was from India. Don't know if the crowd were AI generated though.
Yeah, my audience didn't respond at all to the Avengers teaser. I thought it was okay, but pretty underwhelming for something as substantial as the next Avengers movie.
 


Sounds like from this review, if you liked the previous ones then this will be a fine watch. If you didn't, you won't.

I thought the first was dog shit bad, didn't bother with the second.
 
Saw it this afternoon in HFR 3D. Visually, Avatar remains the undisputed GOAT. There's simply nothing even remotely close to this film visually. With an estimate $400m budget, it's easy to write it all off as just someone cranking up the dials, but honestly, it's the total package. CG, shot composition, action cuts, lighting and framing, use of colour and tone; Marvel's bullshit has equivalent budgets and it looks like stale fucking dog shit in comparison to this. By this point, you know what you're in for: pure undiluted spectacle. The absolute cutting edge in film effects and presentation on a big screen. And Cameron delivers exactly that in spades. This is what movies can do in the hands of someone who actually knows what they're doing. If that's what you're after, you'll get it. Sit back, strap on your 3D glasses, and enjoy the fucking ride. Overall, it's a better movie than The Way of Water, but still falls short of the original.

Extended spoiler-free thoughts below.
Fire and Ash delivers the big budge spectacle we all want, but it's also not done with it's characters. Unfortunately, it suffers a bit from trying to do too much in it's run time, so some plot elements move quickly, or, are only really paid lip service. The trade off is a movie that simply does not stop, and you won't feel it's run time. After about 15 minutes of build up, things are moving - and they largely don't stop until the credits. With that said, when the movie slows down a notch to commit to a concept, that's where it races out ahead of its predecessor. Vrang and the Ash people are simply that much more interesting to watch than the water clan and the teenage drama of The Way of Water. Whenever they Ash people are involved, the movie delivers big time. Unfortunately, they're not quite as involved as the trailers might make you think, which is disappointing considering how Vrang simply steals the movie.
If you enjoyed Avatar for the time spent lingering in the forests, or extended under water diving sequences of the sequel, and you adored soaking in the insanely expensive details of James Cameron's alien world, you might come away a little disappointed because there isn't much time spent sitting around. This isn't a movie about falling in love with the world - this is a movie about the characters. The good news is that there's so much going on you'll likely find yourself enjoying at least several of the plot lines and character arcs, even if others don't land.
The film delivers the action goods - it's a James Cameron movie, after all - however, it's worth saying that we've seen all of this before at this point. It's big, gorgeous, and incredibly well constructed stuff - but there isn't really any new ideas at play here, with the climatic battle almost serving as a "greatest hits" of the previous two movies. Cameron has been open about The Way of Water and Fire and Ash effectively being one movie split in two, and it really shows when the action heats up. That's a little disappointing, but the scale, spectacle, and visuals are still absolutely top tier stuff.
Overall, it's a better sequel than The Way of Water, but isn't quite as enjoyable as the original, which told a complete story with a beginning, middle, and end.

Spoiler thoughts for those who care.
The film felt, to me, like a retread of The Way of Water in enough many ways that it almost makes the first sequel redundant. This is simply a more entertaining movie that presents the exact same ideas and concepts only without dragging it's fucking feet in delivering them. I feel like you easily could've cut down both movies into one by drawing a smaller cast of characters, and framing it with a proper juxtaposition between Quaritch swaying the Ash People and Jake joining the Water People. So many beats are the same between the two sequels, but they simply land better here, that it's clear there was a lot of copy paste going on in The Way of Water, and here, they did it again but bigger and better.
Vrang and the Ash people are a terrific foil, and should've been used a lot more because that's really where the movie shines. The scarification and blood letting is a bold new version of the Na'vi, counter to their "noble savage" presentation thus far. It makes the entire concept of "blue cat people" more interesting, because they're no longer perfect. Their rejection of the Na'vi ways, and open hostility toward Ewya, contrasted against the other Na'vi thus far is a great concept - but it feels like it was under used so that they could move the other plot lines along. That's a bit sad because they're basically the same plot lines from the second movie, although they're almost all better here. Lo'ak's plot line works better here, for example, because there's an actual reason for the disconnect between him and Jake - the death of his brother. Compared to the second movie where he's just a teenager doing teenager stuff, it lands dramatically better. So much so that Cameron should've known, and not tried to make this two movies.
Despite all the screen time, I felt Quaritch didn't get much character development. I expected him to go full native after falling in with Vrang, but the movie didn't give me enough time with that to see it through. Quaritch rejecting the humans and joining the Ash People in their nhilism would've made for a better character arc. I guess we might see it in Avatar 4? He just keeps doing the same thing, over and over. If he really hated Jake enough to keep doing this again, and again, and again, I feel like he'd have shot him in the face already.
I'll need to watch it again, but I appreciate the work being done with Neytiri, who felt strangely absent in the second movie. The grieving mother, the hateful native, the dominant warrior; she's slowly becoming a solid character with depth and purpose. I liked her admitting she hates the "pink skins" and Jake trying to push back on it. Unfortunately, that scene also seemed over too quickly with little consequence. The mother of your children just admitted that whenever her kids act up, she feels ashamed because she blames the human part of them for all their faults.... and then that goes nowhere, I guess? If you're going to try and dig into the realities of an inter-species relationship in your sci-fi movie, please at least have the courtesy to follow it through with some kind of payoff or resolution.
Spider and Kiri were also in the movie.
Seeing Eywa's face was an interesting choice, giving the deity Na'vi personage in the "spirit realm", which has now morphed from a database of fractured memories in the first film, to a complete memory playback machine in the second movie, to a legitimate full blown after life here in this movie. Obviously this will be continued through Kiri in future films, but it raises questions about life after death. Quaritch and the other humans were able to be revived with the human's technology, it might reason that Ewya has this ability too, given the Na'vi appear to live on in the "spirit realm" completely intact.
I'm curious to see where the story might go from here, but if all Cameron has planned is another "Quaritch kid naps kids to try and capture Jake again... again, then Human and Na'vi fight, Humans lose because Ewya magic", then this might be the right place to let the story stay. It's clearly not completed, but I'm not sure going back to the same well for a fourth time is the right move without something to seriously shake up the formula here.
Overall, it's a better movie than the first sequel, but if Cameron had been honest with the story and himself, half the characters here should've been cut, and both movies should've been condensed down into one movie. That one movie, had it been the first sequel, stood a chance of being a superior film than the original. Instead, we got an ok second film followed by a third film that largely makes the second film redundant.
 
Last edited:
There's a bit in this where Spider beatboxes. And yet people will say they don't understand why these films have such wide appeal.
 
Mark Kermode (UK critic) said it was utter shite....which is always a very good sign that i'd like it.

He seems to miss the point of these movies. Yeah it would be great, if blockbusters ticked all his boxes. They don't. So they aren't his thing and the complaints for things like 3d glasses. Really ? Can't he just watch a standard version ?

And then telling us he doesn't like the previous 2 movies, before launching into tearing down this new one.

I mean it's not like people don't know what an avatar movie is going to be about. Not 16 or so years in, I don't think

And movies can't all be high art. Even if technically they raise the bar and show what's possible. I'm not making excuses. But I don't go into 5 guys thinking steak. I'm thinking a better burger than macdonalds 😁, or a load of other fast food places
 
I heard Avengers Doomsday teaser was shown before the movie starts, how was the audience reaction?

Did the tease met with thunderous claps and standing ovation?
Why would there be thunderous applause? Was democracy dying?

Anyway, just saw it. Probably the most entertaining of the 3. There's a lot of dumb shit, especially the retread of far more water than fire and ash, but I've never held these movies in super high esteem. They're awesome music, CGI, set pieces and world design woven together by a basic plot and characters whose names I can barely remember.
 
Last edited:
Movie was an amazing spectacle like nothing evenncomes remotely close. The 3d and higher frame rate of it is something to behold blew me away as soon as it started.

Movie is a retread of part 2. Doesn't need to exist but I had a good time.
 
I find it amusing that Avatar has lasted long enough to go from "Pocahantas in Space" anti-colonialism to "Stop the Muslim invasion!" anti-colonialism :p
 
Top Bottom