James Cameron’s much-anticipated film, Avatar: Fire and Ash, has made a strong debut at the box office, topping charts in the US and Canada during its opening weekend with an estimated take of $88 million (£65.5 million). However, this figure falls short of the $134 million (£100 million) that its predecessor, Avatar: The Way of the Water, garnered upon its release in 2022.
Despite the slower start, the Avatar franchise is renowned for its impressive longevity, suggesting that Fire and Ash could see an uptick in ticket sales as it continues to attract audiences in the weeks ahead. Historically, both the original Avatar from 2009 and its sequel maintained a dominant presence at the box office for weeks, holding the top spot for seven consecutive weeks.
David A Gross from Franchise Entertainment Research commented, “The openings are not what the Avatar movies are about. It’s what they do after they open.” The film also celebrated a $9 million box office take in the UK and Ireland, contributing to a global total of $345 million (£257 million). In contrast, The Way of Water had a global opening weekend figure of $441 million (£328 million).
In this installment, Zoe Saldaña reprises her role as the Na’vi warrior Neytiri and Sam Worthington returns as ex-Marine Jake Sully, as the characters face new adversities that threaten their family’s safety on Pandora.
Critics have offered mixed reviews, with some praising the film’s visual spectacle. Empire’s Ben Travis awarded it four out of five stars, calling it “truly epic cinema” and recognizing its technological achievements. He noted that viewers should manage their expectations around significant narrative shifts but emphasized the film’s astonishing visuals and creativity.
The London Evening Standard’s Nick Howells echoed this sentiment, describing the film as “three hours and 15 minutes of unsurpassed cinematic pyrotechnics.” He highlighted James Cameron’s advancement of 3D cinema, providing an experience that aims to immerse viewers completely.
Conversely, some critics expressed disappointment. Time Magazine’s Stephanie Zacharek criticized the film, writing that it fails to evoke the same sense of wonder that characterized the franchise’s earlier offerings. Similarly, Robbie Collin from the Daily Telegraph lamented the film as a monotonous experience, comparing it to “watching £300m of glitter tipped into a fish tank.”
Cameron has previously indicated plans for a total of five films in the Avatar series but has recently shown a willingness to reassess this vision. He stated, “For me, it’s been a 10-year cycle, and this is the culmination of a single story arc.” He reflected on the possibility of continuing within the Avatar universe while also considering the fans’ desire for more narrative developments.
In light of the mixed reviews and box office performance, it remains to be seen how the film will evolve in the coming weeks, but the potential for growth and sustained interest in the franchise is certainly present.
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