Fire and Ash is an experiential popcorn movie. It needs to be seen on the biggest screen possible, and while 3D has some detractors, it is used beautifully in this film. This is a movie-going experience.

Having said that, I miss James Cameron’s early work, Aliens, The Abyss, The Terminator, and T2, even True Lies. I do like the way he’s embraced technology to advance his cinematic achievement, and what he has done with Avatar: Fire and Ash shows that once again, he’s pushed it to the limit and beyond.

And for the first time, at least, as far as I’m concerned, there’s a lot going on emotionally, and I was really engaged in the story. I found the first two films lovely, and technological impressive, but less than captivating.

This time around, I got involved in the story and actually enjoyed my time on the planet of Pandora. The story still explores themes of colonialism and capitalism, as well as ecology, and family.

It still lacks a complete sense of reality, your brain still recognizes that this isn’t real, and is almost all created inside a computer, but the emotional core brought to life by the actors is there. The family dynamic at work here is thought out and reflects the larger conflicts at work in the world.

The cast is once again led by Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana and Stephen Lang, with supporting roles brought to life by Sigourney Weaver, Oona Chaplin, Edie Falco and Giovanni Ribisi, Cliff Curtis, and Jack Champion.

There are absolutely dizzying action sequences that move the story forward as much as they show the technological wonders Cameron can accomplish with a camera and technology. We are also introduced to some new inhabitants of Pandora, we meet the Ash, led by the dangerous Varang (Chaplin), as well as some fascinating and terrifying sea creatures that look like a cross between rays and squids!

Do I love the Avatar series? They’re absolutely acceptable popcorn movies that have embraced and movie technology and visual effects forward, but they’ve never really won me over. Until this entry. This one is fun, smart, has lots going on, and looks gorgeous in IMAX.

So pack your bags for a trip to Pandora to visit the Sully family this holiday season and see it on the biggest screen possible. This one needs to be experienced in 3D in the biggest way possible. Buckle up, grab your popcorn, and enjoy the blue.

Avatar: Fire and Ash opens in theaters this Friday.