The Last Airbender (C or 2/4 stars)
M. Night Shyamalan has really only made 1 great film, 1 or 2 ok films, & a slew of atrocious ones (of late). And you can now add 'The Last Airbender' to the disappointments. Though, despite some major quality/execution issues, I kinda dug the film in a weird, detached way. Based on an insanely popular Nickelodeon TV show, '... Airbender' tells the story of a world where 4 kingdoms, or 'tribes' co-exist; each representing an element (water, air, earth, fire). Within these tribes are 'benders' - sorcerer-like people who can manipulate said tribe's element. And somewhere in this world is an Avatar: a link to the spirit world who can control all 4 elements; though, he/she's been missing for about 100 yrs. The world needs him because in his absence, the Fire Nation has assumed tyrannical domination; conquering & imprisoning rival 'bending' tribes as they go (like the peaceful Air Nomads).
At the beginning of this movie, Sokka (Jackson Rathbone, of the Twilight franchise) & Katara (Nicola Peltz), teen siblings from the Water tribe, discover this Avatar, a 12 yr. old boy named Aang (Noah Ringer); who's been encapsulated in a self-made iceberg (I know ... what!?). Not realizing that he's the Avatar (and young successor in a long line of them), they bring him home. But before arrangements are made to bring him to his people, they are attacked by warriors of the Fire Nation, led by the exiled Prince Zuko (Slumdog Millionaire's Dev Patel). Zuko takes the child prisoner, but Aang's powers are too powerful to be contained. And in fine fashion, Aang is rescued by Katara & Sokka; sitting atop a large flying bison named Appa (LOVED him).
Desperate, Zuko goes on a rampage to recapture Aang before Fire Commander Zhao (Aasif Mandvi) takes him as a prize for the Fire Lord (Cliff Curtis); who happens to be Zuko's father. All the while, Aang, helped by Katara & Sokka, head to the realms of the Earth tribe & the Northern Water tribe in an attempt to summon/awaken all their dormant powers. It's time for these people to stand-up against their oppressors! Can the small, but all-powerful Aang put his childish ways aside, rally the Air/Water/Earth people, & prevent the Fire Nation from further enslavement? Can balance be restored in this war-torn world?
You know, if this film had been released in say, March, & was made for $50 million by a no-name director, I would consider the venture to be mildly successful. But instead, considering its beloved source origin, it's enormous scope, that it's a major Summer release, the $200 mill budget, & M. Night Shyamalan's pedigree ... this movie is seen as a big time failure. I hear that many of the characters' traits & motives are altered. And along with some controversy surrounding the casting of Caucasians in Asian roles, it will be very difficult for this movie to come out on the sunny side of any situation (critically, $$, franchise, fans, etc.).
While watching 'The Last Airbender', I was reminded of some of the old child fantasy epics from the 70s & 80s. Some weren't good. But I liked 'em at the time. And I imagine that is how this film will come across to many kids right now. Let me try to breakdown why 'I' feel this film is not very good. First & foremost, Shyamalan's script is weak. At only 98 min. long, the screenplay is exposition-heavy (jamming in tons of information with long-winded explanations). The dialogue is often dull & stilted. The stitching together of scenes (both important & perfunctory) feels oddly edited. I wasn't wild about the scenes when Aang speaks with a prophetic dragon spirit (cue my naptime). Though some of the actors have fun with the material, most of them are really bland. Excepting Dev Patel, most of the performances are on a middle school drama class level. But I enjoyed a funky-looking winged lemurbat named Momo (haha).
Overall, I found 'TLA' to be harmless & inoffensive. But that's me. Knowing the popularity of the Avatar TV series, I can completely see why/if the movie version is not well received. I enjoyed watching the physical clashing of elements (air, water, earth, fire). In my opinion, it's just visualized very well (by use of special effects). The sets & costumes have flair. The landscapes are cool. And James Newton Howard's fantastical score is, perhaps, the best singular attribute of the movie. But the overstuffed narrative & curious lack of joy onscreen really puts a damper on things. Shyamalan is an eclectic director; imbuing his own style & tone to all of his projects. But man, did he need to drop the pen & hire a proper writer for this film. Oh, & 3D viewing is completely unnecessary.
At the beginning of this movie, Sokka (Jackson Rathbone, of the Twilight franchise) & Katara (Nicola Peltz), teen siblings from the Water tribe, discover this Avatar, a 12 yr. old boy named Aang (Noah Ringer); who's been encapsulated in a self-made iceberg (I know ... what!?). Not realizing that he's the Avatar (and young successor in a long line of them), they bring him home. But before arrangements are made to bring him to his people, they are attacked by warriors of the Fire Nation, led by the exiled Prince Zuko (Slumdog Millionaire's Dev Patel). Zuko takes the child prisoner, but Aang's powers are too powerful to be contained. And in fine fashion, Aang is rescued by Katara & Sokka; sitting atop a large flying bison named Appa (LOVED him).
Desperate, Zuko goes on a rampage to recapture Aang before Fire Commander Zhao (Aasif Mandvi) takes him as a prize for the Fire Lord (Cliff Curtis); who happens to be Zuko's father. All the while, Aang, helped by Katara & Sokka, head to the realms of the Earth tribe & the Northern Water tribe in an attempt to summon/awaken all their dormant powers. It's time for these people to stand-up against their oppressors! Can the small, but all-powerful Aang put his childish ways aside, rally the Air/Water/Earth people, & prevent the Fire Nation from further enslavement? Can balance be restored in this war-torn world?
You know, if this film had been released in say, March, & was made for $50 million by a no-name director, I would consider the venture to be mildly successful. But instead, considering its beloved source origin, it's enormous scope, that it's a major Summer release, the $200 mill budget, & M. Night Shyamalan's pedigree ... this movie is seen as a big time failure. I hear that many of the characters' traits & motives are altered. And along with some controversy surrounding the casting of Caucasians in Asian roles, it will be very difficult for this movie to come out on the sunny side of any situation (critically, $$, franchise, fans, etc.).
While watching 'The Last Airbender', I was reminded of some of the old child fantasy epics from the 70s & 80s. Some weren't good. But I liked 'em at the time. And I imagine that is how this film will come across to many kids right now. Let me try to breakdown why 'I' feel this film is not very good. First & foremost, Shyamalan's script is weak. At only 98 min. long, the screenplay is exposition-heavy (jamming in tons of information with long-winded explanations). The dialogue is often dull & stilted. The stitching together of scenes (both important & perfunctory) feels oddly edited. I wasn't wild about the scenes when Aang speaks with a prophetic dragon spirit (cue my naptime). Though some of the actors have fun with the material, most of them are really bland. Excepting Dev Patel, most of the performances are on a middle school drama class level. But I enjoyed a funky-looking winged lemurbat named Momo (haha).
Overall, I found 'TLA' to be harmless & inoffensive. But that's me. Knowing the popularity of the Avatar TV series, I can completely see why/if the movie version is not well received. I enjoyed watching the physical clashing of elements (air, water, earth, fire). In my opinion, it's just visualized very well (by use of special effects). The sets & costumes have flair. The landscapes are cool. And James Newton Howard's fantastical score is, perhaps, the best singular attribute of the movie. But the overstuffed narrative & curious lack of joy onscreen really puts a damper on things. Shyamalan is an eclectic director; imbuing his own style & tone to all of his projects. But man, did he need to drop the pen & hire a proper writer for this film. Oh, & 3D viewing is completely unnecessary.