A SLOW BURN

THE LATEST VISIT TO PANDORA IS A VISUAL SPECTACULAR BUT THE OVERLONG THIRD FILM IN THE SERIES IS STILL THE WEAKEST OF THE BUNCH

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AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH (12A) ★★★☆☆

REVIEWS BY DAMON SMITH

A LITTLE goes a very long way in the third chapter of director James Cameron’s blockbusting franchise, which has amassed worldwide box office takings in excess of $5.2billion and holds the record for the highest grossing film of all time with the saga’s Oscar-winning opening instalment.

Cameron and co-writers Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver deliver a masterclass in candyfloss storytelling, expertly fluffing around an hour of linear plot and character development into more than three hours of visual spectacle that continues to push the envelope for performance capture technology.