Some viewers find Avatar: Fire and Ash, the third movie in James Cameron’s Avatar series, underwhelming despite its stunning visuals. They point to a few main issues that make it feel like more of the same instead of something fresh.
The story often repeats beats from the earlier films, especially Avatar: The Way of Water. One out-of-theater reaction calls it “a recycle of the last one in the worst ways,” taking the weaker narrative parts and making them the focus. Reviewers note it stumbles through “character arc retreads and rehashed plot points,” with lots of setup but little payoff. For more on these mixed reactions, check out this YouTube reaction video or this breakdown of reviews.
The film’s length drags it down too. At three hours and 14 minutes, it takes a while to get going, even if the action picks up later. Critics say it’s “far too long,” with repetition that makes the runtime feel endless. Social media posts echo this, describing it as “Way of the Water 2.0” with nothing new. Details on the runtime and early buzz appear in this World of Reel article.
Characters and script get complaints as well. Some focus on poorly written roles, like a key kid character that “brings this film down tremendously.” The dialogue comes off as clunky, and performances don’t always land, leaving emotional investment lacking. One take sums it up: visually spectacular but with a “mediocre script.”
Still, fans praise the visuals as a “remarkable visual feast” and “visual alltime,” with great 3D action and new elements like the character Vang. But for those wanting more story depth, it falls short.
Sources
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSo08Wa_HTU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbJ6NpuED2M
https://www.worldofreel.com/blog/2025/12/2/avatar-fire-and-ash-first-reactions-are-muxed
