After much anticipation, initial reactions from critics are out for Avatar: Fire and Ash, James Cameron’s latest offering, which is set to release this month.

Starting with Courtney Howard, a film critic, she shares on X that the movie “reminds us what movie theaters were built for.”

“3 films in, James Cameron still has the sauce, making the epic spectacular feel emotionally impactful,” she continues. “A glorious saga. Bold, brilliant & awesome in every way, this is what movie theaters were built for.”

Echoing her praise, Sean Tajipour, another critic, adds, “Fire and Ash continues to push boundaries with every frame.”

“I may not be the biggest ‘Avatar’ superfan, but [‘Avatar: Fire and Ash‘] proves once again that James Cameron can and will always deliver the ultimate cinematic spectacle, pushing visuals and emotion to new heights and redefining what a true blockbuster feels like,” he pens. “It’s bold, immersive, unforgettable and driven by sheer ambition.”

Perri Nemiroff, a correspondent at Collider, an online news outlet, weighs in on ‘Fire and Ash stating, “Three films in and I still can’t get over how magical the [‘Avatar’] movies are. Wish I had more original phrasing, but this applies too well — [‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’] truly feels like a ride.”

“I couldn’t believe how quickly I was pulled back into the world of Pandora and swept up in the situation. And once that happens, there’s a noticeable increase in complexity in quite a few aspects of the production.”

Michael Lee, who is also a movie critic, pens, “[‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’] is huge on visual spectacle, especially in 3D. Deeper exploration of Pandora & new tribes allow for immense world-building. Story may be lacking, but this pushes technical boundaries in unimaginable ways.”

Avatar: Fire and Ash will hit in cinemas on Dec. 19.