Avatar: Fire and Ash

James Cameron’s latest epic brings the blue-skinned alien Na’vi into conflict with not only the invading humans, but also a warlike tribe of other Na’vi. The Human-Na’vi hybrids of Jake Sully and Neytiri’s family find themselves smack in the middle of the fight again, trying to protect the pacifist whale-like beings who the humans want to render down for incredibly valuable resources and to keep the humans from taking over the whole of the planet Pandora. It’s an absolute spectacle, a cracking action movie, has some good messages laid out between and through the action scenes, and just generally a great way to start the year. It currently has a 90% Popcornmeter on Rotten Tomatoes.

“[T]his is about the most spectacular spectacle you could ever ask for — utterly transportive, technically masterful.” -Ben Travis, Empire Magazine
“His anti-colonialist, pro-indigenous cri de coeur is inspiring, if a bit on the nose, but we can forgive that, because the visual spectacle is just so breathtakingly beautiful, the emotional stakes palpable, and the intention is so earnest.” -Katie Walsh, Tribune News Service
“The frenetic energy of its arrow-shooting and boat-exploding amps up anxiety, while gorgeous visuals of dusky skies and sparkling water lapping up on the shore remind you of what the Na’vi fight to protect.” -Sonia Rao, Washington Post
“With a story as intrinsically weird as this one, there is only one way to go: Make it big. And as usual, Cameron doesn’t disappoint.” -Sandra Hall, Sydney Morning Herald
“[The] series, maintained with exceptional attention to detail by Cameron, remains a gargantuan spectacle unmatched by anything else in Hollywood.” -Johnny Oleksinski, New York Post
“Some will find the earnest silliness which ties a lot of Fire and Ash​’s beats together tiresome, but it’s what keeps them feeling real and not just empty capitalisation on a billion dollar box office.” -Kambole Campbell, Little White Lies
“For long-time fans, it represents a compelling new chapter; for newcomers, it remains a visually arresting invitation” -Linda Marric, HeyUGuys
“Cameron has taken 3D cinema to another wild dimension with a gloriously intense experience that will, frankly, leave you deliriously exhausted.” -Nick Howells, London Evening Standard
“The new movie, for all its inevitable Breathless Technological Advances, doesn’t feel as visually unprecedented as the last one did. If anything, though, it’s a better film and it certainly has its share of amazements.” -Owen Gleiberman, Variety

Avatar: Fire and Ash opens at The Clyde on Friday, January 9, and plays Friday, Saturday, and Monday at 7:30, plus Sunday at 2:00 for two weeks.