While Ari Hoffman is enjoying his well-deserved vacation, producer Big Mike took over the airwaves — and hit the theaters — to catch the latest blockbuster, Avatar: Fire and Ash.
Joined by KVI’s own Program Director (aka Mr. KVI), they dove into James Cameron’s third trip to Pandora under the “Bad Movie Mandate.”
Listen to the audio here:
Highlights from the Review:
- The Spectacle Is Still There (But Familiar) — They saw it opening night at the Pacific Science Center’s Boeing IMAX with laser 3D — the biggest screen in the state, calibrated to Cameron’s specs. It’s the ideal way to experience Pandora’s visuals, like a modern-day Gone with the Wind or Cinerama extravaganza. But tech-wise? More of the same from The Way of Water, with no groundbreaking leaps. The high frame rate still looks like motion smoothing on a Best Buy demo TV.
- Story and Plot → Wafer-thin and recycled. The ending feels eerily similar to the last film (déjà vu much?). The runtime clocks in at a bladder-busting 3+ hours — no intermission, leading to some serious fidgeting and unintended laughs from the audience.
- The Weird and Wild → This one’s the “funnest” (and strangest) of the three. Over-the-top villains (Stephen Lang unleashed!), intense violence, psychosexual vibes, and bizarre moments make it oddly compelling. The new Ash People tribe adds some intrigue, but overall, it’s nutty in a way that sticks with you more than the watery sequel.
- Recommendation? → See it on the biggest screen possible in 3D for the event-like experience. At home? There’s nothing there. It’s not bad, but not particularly good — pure popcorn spectacle that’s best as a one-time theatrical ride.
What did you think of Avatar: Fire and Ash? Text or email the show — Big Mike wants to hear from you!Stay tuned for more fresh content while Ari’s away. This is Talk Radio 570 KVI — keeping it real in the Northwest.
