I just finished watching the movie Avatar: Fire and Ash on IMAX at SM Lanang Premier with the Davao Bloggers Society and all I can say is that if you’re a die-hard Avatar fan, it’s definitely worth watching.
Now I have to say this: I am not a die-hard Avatar fan.
But I loved the film anyway even though it felt to me like the same film as The Way of Water (the 2nd Avatar film). (PS. I guess it should feel like the 2nd film because it was filmed together to prevent Spider from aging out of his role…)
If you’re here for deep lore debates and frame-by-frame breakdowns, this isn’t that article.
This is just my take, from an animal-lover’s point of view, and not someone who treats Avatar not as sacred cinema. What I mean is that, Avatar: Fire and Ash to me, is something closer to a high-budget nature documentary with an action movie happening in the background.
If you, like me, felt Fire and Ash echoes The Way of Water in structure, themes, and pacing… you’re not wrong.
- Family is still at the center
- Conflict still circles around humans vs. Pandora
- Quaritch is still Quaritch
- Nature is still exploited, defended, mourned, and glorified
But here’s the thing: familiar doesn’t automatically mean bad.
James Cameron clearly knows the formula he wants to use, and instead of reinventing it completely, he refines it.
The emotional beats are more confident, the kids are no longer just “support characters,” and the world itself feels deeper—especially under the sea.
The Kids Finally Get a Real Spotlight (And It Works)
One of the strongest improvements in Fire and Ash is how the younger characters are handled.
They’re no longer just:
- Background noise
- Emotional leverage for the parents
- Or “future sequel potential”
This time, they matter.
Their decisions carry weight. Their personalities are clearer. Their relationships feel more earned. And most importantly, they don’t feel like placeholders anymore.
Spider Deserves Special Mention
Let’s talk about Spider.
The actor playing Spider absolutely understood the assignment.
His performance feels:
- Natural
- Emotionally grounded
- Human in a way that contrasts beautifully with the Na’vi world
Spider’s internal conflict—where he belongs, who he’s loyal to, and what “family” really means—is one of the more compelling human elements in the film. He’s no longer just “the human kid running around Pandora.”
He’s a bridge, a problem, and sometimes a moral complication.
And that’s interesting.
Quaritch: Still a Villain, But a Delightfully Complicated and Multi-Layered One!
In Way of the Water, Quaritch was… ok. He was closer to his original incarnation as the human actor so a bit macho with not a lot of personality.
In Fire and Ash, Quaritch gets a lot more of the spotlight.
He’s still intimidating.
Still stubborn.
Still walking proof that humans bring their worst traits wherever they go.
But there’s a layer of reflection creeping in—whether he likes it or not.
No spoilers here, but his presence continues to challenge the idea of identity, memory, and whether becoming something new actually changes who you are inside.
You don’t have to love him—but you can’t ignore him.
Here’s Why I Believe Avatar Is a Nature Documentary First
This is where Avatar—all three films included—truly excels.
Strip away the gunfights, military tech, and dramatic speeches, and what you’re left with is this:
An unbelievably detailed, lovingly crafted alien ecosystem.
Avatar is at its best when it stops talking and just shows you animals.
The Real Highlights of Fire and Ash
- The richness of marine life
- The sheer variety of alien sea creatures
- The way they move, interact, and coexist
- The sense that Pandora’s oceans existed long before humans showed up
If you love:
- Marine biology
- Ocean documentaries
- Watching animals just be animals
Then this movie is absolutely for you.
Here’s What Fire and Ash Does Really Well:
Without getting into spoilers, here’s what genuinely stands out:
- The marine ecosystem feels alive, not just decorative
- Creatures have behaviors, social structures, and purpose
- The underwater cinematography is stunning and immersive
- The kids’ storylines feel earned, not forced
- Spider’s performance adds emotional realism
- Action scenes don’t completely overpower the quieter moments
- The film rewards patience—you’re meant to observe, not rush
You Don’t Have to Be an Avatar Fan to Enjoy This
That’s the key takeaway.
You don’t need to:
- Memorize lore
- Rewatch the previous films ten times
- Or emotionally commit to the franchise
If you:
- Love animals
- Enjoy marine life
- Appreciate detailed world-building
- Or just want to sit back and watch a beautifully imagined ecosystem
Then Avatar: Fire and Ash is absolutely worth your time.
I Do Have Some Questions Though…
I know it’s just a movie and that a certain level of artistic license can be applied to what happens within the film, but… I do have some questions like:
- How did those big-ass alien whales get earrings?
- Who installed them?
- Was there a brave Na’vi marine piercer swimming up with tools?
- And how in the name of Eywa did those giant carpets survive long-term seawater exposure without corroding?
I’m not complaining but these are questions you ask when a world feels so believable and detailed enough that you start wondering about maintenance.
Is It a Family Film? Yes… Mostly
Fire and Ash feels like a great family movie in spirit, but with an asterisk.
- The themes are family-oriented
- The animal focus is educational and awe-inspiring
- The emotional arcs are accessible
But yes—there is violence.
Enough that younger kids might need guidance or supervision.
Still, compared to many modern blockbusters, it feels more purposeful than gratuitous.
At the end of the day, Avatar has always been this:
A nature documentary wearing an action movie as a jacket.
The explosions fade.
The villains come and go.
The human drama shifts.
But the animals?
The environments?
The ecosystems?
Those are what stay with you.
I may never love Avatar the way die-hard fans do—but I’ll gladly watch it again for the creatures alone.
If you love the natural world—even an alien one—Fire and Ash delivers.
… and yes, I’m still thinking about those whale earrings.
