Early viewers of 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' are not impressed with the muddled storyline and repetitive arcs, but none could deny James Cameron's cinematic brilliance.
James Cameron has finally returned with the highly anticipated third instalment of the Avatar saga, and it has already taken the internet by storm. After the global success of Avatar (2009) and Avatar: The Way of Water (2022), the third instalment, Fire and Ash, hit global theatres ahead of Christmas, and it’s supposed to be packed with emotion and action.
The third chapter of the ambitious sci-fi saga was released worldwide on December 19, 2025, and within hours, early reactions on X began flooding timelines. With sky-high expectations about the latest spectacle, here’s what the early viewers are saying about the movie.
Avatar: Fire and Ash picks up where The Way of Water left off, with the Sully family devastated by the death of ‘Jake Sully’ (Sam Worthington) and ‘Neytiri's’ (Zoe Saldana) son, ‘Neteyam’ (Jamie Flatters). Meanwhile, a new danger looms over Pandora, as the Ash People rise to take down humanity. They are a furious volcanic tribe that has turned its back on Eywa.
A new villain emerges in this installment: the Na’vi faction’s leader, ‘Varang’, played by Game of Thrones star Oona Chaplin. Another layer of tension builds as tribal alliances begin to shift with the Wind Traders, the more peaceful clan of Pandora. With the Ash tribe taking over, viewers can expect a deepening political landscape with old bonds in turmoil.
As expected, Fire and Ash is being treated less like a regular movie release and more like a global event. With the film now officially out worldwide, fans are already flocking to the theatres to be the first to watch it. The overall review aside, there’s one thing that early viewers largely agree on: no one builds cinematic worlds like James Cameron.
If the early reactions on X (formerly Twitter) are any indication, Cameron has once again left viewers spellbound with his technical brilliance and immersive visuals. Users are describing the film as “gorgeous”, “mesmerising”, and “absolutely spellbinding,” with many calling it the best IMAX 3D experience in recent years. However, many feel that the main storyline falls flat. Yet the 3.5-hour film seems to have scored highly on the charts among Avatar fans. One online critic tweeted:
“It may be a simple story, but it is Cameron’s virtuoso filmmaking and audacity to dream as he bends genres to his will to create what he wants that leaves the viewers with so much to admire. 3.5 hours well spent as I was entertained throughout.”
Another user praised Avatar 3 as “one of the best films in history” for reflecting real-world politics and critiquing modern society. The user wrote, “masterpiece and one of the best films in history #AvatarFireAndAsh has one of the most epic moments that critiques modern society, when the legend #JakeSully is captured. The pathetic humans only think of grabbing their devices and recording video, something of the current reality.”
Even the brilliant cinematic experience seems to have been foreshadowed by the long runtime and the central storyline. While some die-hard fans claim to have been blown away by the action-packed sequence, critics argue that the 195-minute runtime tests the audience’s patience, with some even calling it the weakest one in the franchise. One X user wrote:
#AvatarFireAndAsh (3.25/5) - Terrific depth in 3D, not so much in the story. Visually, one of the best experiences of the year as it looks absolutely gorgeous on an IMAX screen. But James Cameron's Pandora and its characters start to feel a bit too repetitive and overstay their welcome.
The length has become one of the most debated aspects of the film online, with reactions ranging from “3.5 hours well spent” to “the longest movie I’ve ever sat through.” Many have pointed out repetitive elements in the storyline, and some have also complained about poor dialogue. Others complained that Fire and Ash felt like a retelling of The Way of Water, offering nothing new. However, Oona Chaplin and Britain Dalton received wide praise for their respective character arcs, ‘Varang’ and ‘Lo'ak’.
The first Avatar debuted in 2009, earning USD 2.9 billion worldwide. Its sequel, The Way of Water (2022), followed with USD 2.4 billion, ranking third all-time. James Cameron now returns with Fire and Ash, releasing December 19, 2025. With a USD 250 million budget and 197-minute runtime, it’s built for spectacle. Cameron has planned five films, with Avatar 4 set for 2029 and Avatar 5 in 2031.
Well, as far as the early verdict goes, the film might just be the most visually immersive movie to date, and a theatrical experience is a must. If you are going in for groundbreaking visuals and large-scale action, early viewers say it delivers exactly what you expect from James Cameron. However, those expecting a bold narrative and unique storyline may leave the theatre conflicted.
Either way, Fire and Ash has also managed to dominate global cinema, as one would expect from a James Cameron creation. Have you watched the film yet?
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