#simon franglen

Avatar: Fire and Ash (2025)

Directed by James Cameron

Music feeds my soul, so I’ll go into a few details I noticed from the score ‘Sacrifice’ from THAT scene… 🕷️🗡️😱

So, here we go!

1.) The opening of ‘Sacrifice’ in AFAA has a somber, wordless vocal piece (approximately the first 20 seconds or so) that is similar to the scene in the first Avatar where Jake wakes up after the destruction of Hometree to the scorched earth left behind. After Neytiri essentially banished him, Jake is now unable to go to her or The People. He is alone and in utter despair. I see this as Jake was at his lowest point in the first Avatar film, so hearing it again in AFAA when he decides to kill Spider to protect the People was a powerful choice. With everything Jake does go through in AFAA, I find it important that the score reflects his lowest point in the story is sacrificing this innocent child that he mostly ignored most of his life.

2.) Observation number two! At about the 1:50 mark of ‘Sacrifice’ is when Jake puts the knife to Spider’s throat and there’s a familiar higher pitched overlay in contrast to the lower solemn instrumentals during the execution march. It’s the same piece, albeit slightly different variations, from a few scenes:

The atokirina land on Jake in Avatar.

When Jake is carrying Grace to the Tree of Souls to be healed in Avatar.

When Kiri is resting in the forest in ATWOW.

This is super relevant because this part of the score represents Eywa’s power and influence. And it competing with the execution march theme up until that point, almost like it’s trying to drown it out, was an audible reminder of Kiri’s/Eywa’s blessing. To prioritize a different type of good in that “sacrifice for the greater good.”

3.) At about the 2:20 mark, we are seeing Neytiri washing off the Mangkwan paint. We start to recognize the start of ‘Songcord’ as she looks at her hands covered in red. I really appreciate how it starts but cuts off fairly quickly as she runs off to stop Jake. ‘Songcord’ is the emotional heart of ATWOW because we hear it in a few different inflections: celebration, serenity, grief, etc. It was especially all these things with Neytiri and not only because she sings the pieces with lyrics. A lot of Neytiri’s faith is connected to the words she sings and that had been challenged repeatedly throughout all the films, obviously most notably in AFAA like it was a buildup for her over-arcing character development.

4.) And speaking of ‘Songcord’, time to talk about that very powerful rendition that hits at the 3:56 mark. This was the scene we were all waiting for! Neytiri says “I see you” to Spider and what’s playing strong in the background? A very strong and unshakable section of ‘Songcord’. It has a sense of finality and unwavering intent. With this song being so flexible in the emotions it portrays, there couldn’t be a better choice for this first bond-building moment between Neytiri and Spider.

A little bonus, but a stretch because it’s really just my opinion for this one, is that lone instrument that plays around 3:13 after Jake thrusts the knife down before panning down to Spider. To me, this is now “Spider’s piece”. It’s a lone instrument playing by itself, it repeats like an echo (I think of ‘Dad’ echoing this in Jake’s head), and it’s actually a little sad. We see Spider being a 16-year-old goofball throughout most of the AFAA, which was amazing to see him just be a kid, but the way it plays reminds me of that lonely side of Spider he covers up. He spent his whole life trying to be accepted, so hearing this isolated instrument play as we realize he’s still alive? Yup, that’s musically canon in my heart…

I’m not trained in music whatsoever, but I’m a sucker for detail and have a vast love of music that evokes emotion. I still miss James Horner so, so much as a composer, but Simon Franglen managed to comfortably step into some big shoes. And I especially appreciate the homage and influence from the original Avatar soundtrack. 💙🩵💙

AFAA London premiere photocall

For Avatar: Fire and Ash, Cameron wanted an epic, thematic score to reflect its thrilling action, grand spectacle, unforgettable characters who forge profound connections, and, most importantly, the story that will both move and inspire audiences around the globe. He insisted Franglen take the music into uncharted territory with new themes and textures, resulting in a lush, innovative sonic landscape. In 2018, Franglen started writing the first cues for the onscreen music, and spent the last two years composing the expansive score. To deliver the 3-hour and 4-minute score you hear in the film, Franglen wrote over 1,900 pages of music.

Direct quote:

"Because this is Avatar, we have to do this properly with research and practical solutions. Jim always insists that we can't just make things up. The Windtraders are a nomadic clan, they needed instruments that reflected their culture and the materials they would use. These needed to be real instruments that they could play on screen." "I sketched out designs for string instruments and drums to be carried on the 800 ft high ships they sail. I took them to the art department; they upgraded these and made 3D designs. Next the Props department 3D-printed real instruments from the designs. These were played on set by the performers when the scenes were being shot. Because we had 3D designs, the visual effects department could map them into the film itself using the performances. You can see the instruments in the film, and of course I used them in the score. They have a unique sound, and I wanted to capture that." says Franglen.

about the Ash Clan:

Avatar Live In Concert was absolutely magical!

spoilers: she first sang it when neteyam WAS BORN AND AGAIN WHEN HE’S DEAD WHAT IS THIS MADNESS I CANNOT

The first time I noticed it being played Is when The Sullys are flying away from the Omatikaya. And like Neteyam says, “I want to go home.”

The second time I noticed the songcord motiv was when Neytiri threatens spider. “A son for a son”

In “From darkness to light” The melody seems as if it’s right there. “Like a word about to be spoken” but never quite heard.

I notice the repeating motif of Neteyam’s song cord in so many songs. But unfortunately I do not have the time or the skills to analyze the the sound track.

I have heard from a lot of Avatar fans the general opinion seems to be that they reused too much of the old soundtrack but, personally I don’t think that is the case. The reason why the old sound melodies stand out to us so much is because we are used to them and the old sounds being used in the emotionally charged scenes probably didn’t help.

Personally I think the new sound track was absolutely wonderful, and I’m a bit in love.

If anyone would like to share any thing they noticed from the sound track feel free to dm me, I’m always open to talk about avatar. :D

Also if you guys want to listen to the soundtrack I recommend “Avatar: The Way of Water (Original score)” over “Avatar: The Way of Water (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)” the first one has 32 songs while the second has 22