Dorian's Movie Reviews & Critiques

Is it worth seeing? Reviews are presented with no cynicism, no comparisons, no biased standards, no pretentiousness - every movie is reviewed on its individual entertainment value including technical presentation.

A critique for writers and crew follows the review.

Copyright © 2010, 2025 Dorian Scott Cole

Avatar 3: Fire and Ash
2025, 20th Century Studios (Disney), James Cameron production by his Lightstorm Entertainment.
Directed by James Cameron
Story by James Cameron, Amanda Silver, Josh Friedman, Shane Salerno
MPAA Rating: PG-13

Can you create a movie that is driven by themes and relies on a “God” ending? It is certainly unusual, especially for action. Avatar 3: Fire and Ash is a thematically driven action movie. The CGI is superb; the film could easily be mistaken for a videogame-inspired movie with endless action were it not for the depth of its themes. It is the Hero's Journey, for sure, and art definitely mimics life here.

The invasion of the planet Pandora—conducted with no regard for the inhabitants, viewing them as non-human heathens to be slaughtered with impunity, is reminiscent of European nations corrupting themselves with war by invading one another. It mirrors their history of invading the American continents, taking land and resources, and killing the “non-human” indigenous people without consequence. They thought they were the civilized ones, but they were the opposite. We see this today with Putin invading and destroying Ukraine, killing with impunity, and other nations, even the US, taking what they want simply because they have the force to do so.

A major theme in the movie is the harsh reality that sometimes diplomacy doesn't work. Sometimes annihilating those out to destroy you seems like the only answer. Those who falsely believe they are civilized while destroying others are the most wrong.

But is killing the problem the only answer? In an “Abraham sacrifices his son Isaac” metaphor, Jake Sully is unable to kill his adopted son, Spider, who keeps them in peril. Killing is just too much for the human spirit. We can find other answers if we try. They tried desperately. Ultimately, turning back to God was the answer they found.

The subplots involve going against tradition and fighting between the clans because they are different from one another. Even Spider was disliked for being different. Even the animals have unfairly ostracized one of their own, refusing to listen to a defense. The whole world is going to hell in a handbasket. As these problems are resolved, a possibly winning fighting force takes form. But there is one more problem: because of their infighting, they have left their God, Eywa, who turns "her" back on them.

The struggle to get back to God is a central theme. Having learned life's lessons, they change their ways, but victory in reconciling with God comes not through just one individual's efforts, but through many. In the end, when all hope is lost, judgment falls upon the evil mankind invaders. It comes in the form of nature turning against them, killing them all, as God unleashed her wrath through nature.

The movie is certainly a mirror of the US: art mimicking life.

In any other movie, the deus ex machina ending, in which an unexpected power or event (e.g., God, gambling wins, enexpected inheritance) saves a seemingly hopeless situation, wouldn't be acceptable. Characters are supposed to find the power within themselves and be victorious through their efforts. So, does writer/director James Cameron get away with it? Probably, because it is a central theme and major point of the movie. This thematic spiritual message will strongly resonate with ages 18 to 40. The box office is strong.

I was troubled by the lack of an ending in which peace was forced with the humans, and by the endless fighting. I’ve been tired of war since the 1960s when WWII war movies, and then Vietnam movies, and the real-life blood and guts of Vietnam were shoved in may face every night on the news. War is a waste of good lives and it usually does more harm than good so reconciliation is best. Reconciliation was a major theme, and I agree that sometimes survival depends on a winning defense.

(Was the Miles Quaritch character modeled on Eric Fleming (Gil Favor in the Rawhide TV series? Sure looks similar. Probably not.)

Grab some popcorn. Enjoy! And Avatar 4 is coming.

The Karate Kid Web site.

Reactions:
Engaging: Mostly. Tired of war.
Boring: A little. Too much war action.
Confusing: No.
Characters: Gripping and compelling performances
Entertaining: Yes - beginning to end
Plot: Very good balance between theme, plot, and character.
Uniqueness and originality: Good
Surprises: Relatively predictable
Recommend this movie to others: Highly

Emotional reaction to the movie (the following are from a work in progress):

• Film Mood: adventurous, energetic, thriller.
• Film ethos* (feelings left with): depressing (war), uplifted, story moral, appropriately romantic, sympathetic, warm hearted, skillful.
• Film Energy: courageous, engaging, determined.
• Film Outlook: mostly optimistic

* Ethos: The disposition, character, or fundamental values peculiar to a specific person, people, culture, or movement.
- The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition copyright © 1992 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Electronic version licensed from INSO Corporation. All rights reserved.

Technical and critique

My comments below attempt to draw attention to technical things that make a movie good, especially if they made major contributions. For professional judgments on these various arts, the reader should consult professionals in these arts, and realize that these notes are not necessarily part of the overall rating for entertainment value.

• Writing - good characterization; Appreciate the themes but prefer to see the characters find their solution even if inspired from outside. Seven spotlights.
• World Building - Excellent. Apparently gravity is a suggestion, which is reminiscent of a virtual world.
• Acting - Excellent performances (by the acors on motion capture). Nine spotlights.
• Casting - CGI characters were very good. Nine spotlights.
• Directing - the scenes flowed well; the story was cohesive; the drama was told visually; and good overall production. Ten spotlights.
• Lighting - Excellent use of lighting in light and dark scenes, inside and outside. Ten spotlights.
• Production design - Excellent sets that worked well with the story and were cinematically exciting. Ten spotlights.
• Special effects - Endless and endlessly good.
• Editing - the action flowed smoothly, captured good action and character reactions, and put together a very coherent story. Ten spotlights.
• Music - seamless, and complimented the action. Did not call attention to itself. Nine spotlights.
• Costume design - Artists created very individualized costumes so characters were easily recognizable. Ten spotlights.
• Choreography of the set with the character actions - Excellent. Ten spotlights.
• Cinematography - well executed and told the story visually. Ten spotlights.

Story critique: what worked well, what didn't, and why?

Writing loose end: What happened to scientist who broke them out of jail. He should be part of the cast in Avatar 4.

From the writing point of view, the story offers a challenge. There are fewer rules in writing than we think, but breaking them should only be done by people who are experts at following them in story after story. Deus ex machina (God or gambling winnings) endings are usually taboo because the charcters don't find the solution within themselves.

The simplicity of ths complex story line, good VS evil, makes this a high concept story, which usually sells very well.

I didn't see any technical or story flaws in this movie.

- Dorian

• 10 Spotlights: The best of movie making, well worth seeing (rarely given) and likely to become a classic.
• 8 Spotlights: Good movie for the genre; may have minor technical or story problems but they hardly harm the enjoyment; clearly worth seeing; (most movies)
• 6 Spotlights: Not bad, but has deficiencies - worth seeing
• 4 Spotlights: Caution - a "B" movie, probably will appeal only to some
• 1 Spotlight: Caution - not recommended for any audience (will probably never be given)

My reviews are not based much on my personal taste, or any standard besides entertainment value. I try to be as objective as possible, keeping in mind that entertainment value is very subjective and individualized. If I'm not interested in a movie I usually don't go see it, so it doesn't get reviewed. Each character, and each position in the production company might be highlighted if the contribution affected the enjoyment of the story as either outstanding or dismal and I noticed it, keeping in mind that many contributions are singularly distinguished by their seamless integration with the story, not calling attention to themselves and thereby escaping attention.

- Dorian Scott Cole

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