New 'Avatar' garners early acclaim

First reactions celebrate the immersive sweep of the sequel

James Cameron's return to Pandora with 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' is gathering momentum as early reactions praise the film's scale, technical audacity and emotional reach, even as the director publicly reinforces his refusal to let generative AI replace human actors in the franchise.

Journalists offered their first impressions after a recent screening, describing the third excursion to Pandora as an expansive, visually driven spectacle that pushes cinematic boundaries. Critics highlighted Cameron's commitment to scale and detail, noting that the film's ambition appears firmly tied to its world-building and technical precision.

Courtney Howard wrote on X that the film embodies "what movie theatres were built for", calling it emotionally resonant and describing it as a "glorious saga" that elevates the series' immersive appeal. Sean Tajipour said Cameron continues "to push boundaries with every frame", emphasising its fusion of spectacle and feeling.

Collider's Perri Nemiroff said the film "truly feels like a ride", praising its ease of immersion and pointing to greater complexity across numerous production elements. Michael Lee felt the narrative lacked force but described the action and visual scope as "out-of-this-world", crediting the technical achievements that have long defined the series.

'Avatar: Fire and Ash' follows the aftermath of 'Avatar: The Way of Water', focusing on the Sully family as they mourn their son while confronting a new threat from the Fire tribe, led by Varang. The returning cast includes Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldaña, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang and Kate Winslet.

Cameron recently acknowledged that the franchise's future depends on this film's performance, though he remains open to directing further sequels. The director said the story's longevity must be supported by a sustainable balance between artistic ambition and production realities as the instalment approaches its December 19 release.

Away from the early reviews, Cameron has been vocal about the film's rejection of generative AI in performance capture. He told ComicBook.com that while he is not opposed to generative AI in principle, he rejects its use in replacing human actors in the 'Avatar' productions.

Cameron said the franchise exists only through the performers who embody the Na'vi, noting that the series' technology merely amplifies their work.

Zoe Saldana echoed the sentiment, calling performance capture "the most empowering form of acting" and stressing that every element, from stunts to alien movement, stems from human effort.

Cameron has argued that the Oscars should recognise Saldana's work as Neytiri, saying her performance matches that of past Academy Award winners despite being delivered through a CG character. He described her range as ferocious, insisting her craft is undervalued because of the medium.

Despite criticising AI-generated actors, Cameron remains interested in AI-supported workflows. He joined the board of Stability AI in 2024, saying the future of large-scale filmmaking depends on cutting VFX costs without reducing artistic teams or creative labour across production cycles.

However, Cameron dismissed the idea that AI could replace writers, telling CTV News that a system "regurgitating" human experience cannot produce emotionally resonant stories.

He said authentic storytelling requires human lived experience and insight rather than algorithmic construction or imitation of narrative forms. 'Avatar: Fire and Ash' opens in cinemas on December19, distributed by Disney and 20th Century Studios.