Avatar: Fire and Ash

My Controversial Opinion on the World-Building of the Avatar Movies

lllustrated by Steve Messing

I want to stat by saying I’m a huge fan of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films. Peter Jackson adapted J.R.R. Tolkien’s books—some of the best world-building in literary history—and brought them to life on screen. Competing with that is a monumental task. We can also give a nod to George Lucas with Star Wars.

But today, I need to give some serious respect to James Cameron. Avatar: Fire and Ash, the third film in the franchise, is in theaters now, and it runs 3 hours and 15 minutes.

I realize comparing LOTR to Avatar comes with a lot of complications. Jackson had the advantage of adapting a proven, beloved story. Cameron had to create characters, worlds, and lore from scratch. Both approaches are incredibly hard—but here’s my take: when it comes to film, I think James Cameron did it better.

Illustrated by Zachary Berger

Now, don’t come at me, LOTR fans—I am a massive fan and have endless respect for Tolkien and Jackson. But Cameron is both a writer and filmmaker, and he has a long track record of pushing technical boundaries that benefit both audiences and filmmakers. Fire and Ash is a visual feast. The creatures, the environments, the tiniest details—they’re meticulous and immersive.

That said, I personally won’t watch Avatar repeatedly the way I do the LOTR films, which I watch yearly. Tolkien’s books create an emotional connection to the characters that Cameron hasn’t quite matched—at least for me. Yes, I feel sadness and connection to the characters in Avatar, and I know plenty of people feel as strongly about them as I do about LOTR. But overall, in terms of world-building, imagination, and technical achievement, Cameron surpasses Jackson in my eyes. When it comes to character depth, Tolkien still wins every time.

Avatar is a theatrical experience. Don’t watch it at home first. I saw it in 3D—not usually my thing—but it made a huge difference. This film is meant to be experienced on a big screen, just like a great meal, I want it cooked the way the chef intended. Do yourself a favor and see it as it was meant to be seen.

Grade: B+

Illustrated by Dylan Cole