It's a Cameron film so just by the sheer scope of the talent he has in knowing how to direct scenes and as a storyteller how to build drama/create emotion ... it's still probably the best "big budget action sci-fi/fantasy" film of the year. I would take it over Superman or Fantastic 4 or things like that easily, it's a level above stuff like that. Dude is just more talented than most directors, even good ones. There are some clever hard decisions the main characters have to make, good writing on that front.
And despite the long run time I wasn't really bored, but pro-tip, skip the soda/drinks until after the movie as it's generally not great having to hold your pee waiting for a movie to finish.
That said I'm not that crazy about the character of Spider though I get what they are trying to do with that story arc in terms of related to a human audience. But overall I enjoyed it. The Fire/Ash lady was fun though oddly not featured enough as the film went on. The third act is a bit derivative though. Entertaining sure, but a bit derivative of the previous two finales.
I also think they didn't know if this is the final film of the series so they kinda split the difference and made an ending that's sort of an ending but not a definitive one.
If they are making an Avatar 4, I would like to see a new biome on Pandora (ice area?) and some of the story to take place on future Earth. Got to change the formula up.
Given that there's not many good "Part IIIs" of anything (Lord of the Rings and Star Wars OT being more exceptions than the rule) this one was pretty good.
I'll also give the Avatar sequels this ... most of the new "family" characters are likable and the family dynamic is very well done, they feel like a real family going through some tough shit. Again, most directors/writers wouldn't have a clue on how to pull that off in a big sci-fi action movie without making it cheesy. The characters feel "real". Even little things like the relationship between Netiryi (sp?) and the other ocean lady matriarch is well done and touching, that's just a little thing but Cameron really goes the extra mile to make those things work and the result is a fairly touching moment.
I'd give it an 8/10 for reference my other comparables
Terminator (1984) - 8/10
The Abyss - 8/10
Aliens - 9/10
Terminator 2 - 9.5/10
True Lies - 9/10
Titanic - 10/10
Avatar 1 - 8.5/10
Avatar Way Of Water - 8.5/10
Avatar Fire & Ash - 8/10
Last edited by Soundwave - on 05 January 2026
