Avatar 3 — officially titled Avatar: Fire and Ash — has several scenes critics are discussing because they show both the franchise’s strengths in spectacle and its weaknesses in character and plotting[2].
Many reviewers praise the film’s visual sequences and technical ambition, calling the big set pieces spectacular and immersive[2]. Critics note that director James Cameron still delivers striking worldbuilding and action moments that highlight Pandora’s environments and creatures[2].
At the same time, reviewers say a number of specific scenes underline the movie’s larger problems. Several critics single out sequences that rehash beats from Avatar: The Way of Water, pointing to climactic confrontations and creature-centered combat that feel too similar to the prior film rather than pushing the story forward in surprising ways[2]. Those repeated-action scenes are often described as technically brilliant but narratively redundant[2].
Performances and character-focused scenes are another frequent point of discussion. Critics highlight emotionally charged exchanges involving Kiri (Sigourney Weaver), praising Weaver’s ability to convey inner conflict and identity pain in quieter moments[2]. By contrast, scenes built around Spider are widely criticized for underdevelopment; reviewers say the film spends a lot of time establishing him as vital to the plot but never gives his scenes the depth needed to make his arc satisfying[2].
Villain-focused scenes also draw commentary. Critics expected Varang to be a fully realized antagonist, but many say the movie reduces her to a foil for Quaritch, with key scenes that could have deepened her motives instead serving familiar beats that prioritize spectacle over character complexity[2].
Several reviewers point to the film’s climax and other late-act sequences as emblematic of the movie’s dilemma: they are grand and well-executed but often mirror earlier franchise moments so closely that they undercut the sense of escalation or closure audiences might expect from a trilogy capper[2].
Sources
https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/avatar-fire-and-ash-movie-review-2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IveG0jkSau4
