I’m a big fan of director M. Night Shyamalan so when I heard about his latest movie The Last Airbender, I quickly made a note to go check it out once it opened in theaters. I’ve been an admirer of his filmwriting and directing since the Sixth Sense. With Mr. Shyamalan you know you’re in for an ingenious edge of your seat story and a big twist at the end that will leave you beguile.But don’t hold your breath for The Last Airbender as I did. I found the film generally entertaining but it lacked the depth that I was looking for. Based on the animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender – marketed by Nickelodeon. (Please note that I have never watched the series, so I cannot compare or offer any insight on the accuracy of the original story). The story begins with Sokka (Jackson Rathbone) and Katara (Nicola Peltz), brother and sister who accidently find Aang (Noah Ringer), a young successor to a long line of Avatars. Aang is awakened to a new world after being frozen for 100 years, in which he quickly finds his purpose as the Avatar. He seeks to fulfill his destiny, which is to stop the Fire Nation from enslaving the Water, Earth and Air nations.Aang begins his journey to learn the other elements, earth, fire, and water, with Sokka and Katara by his side. He travels to different villages, and emancipates the enslaved benders from the Fire Nation. Everything seems to be going according to plan but what’s a story without a villain. Just as quick as Aang is brought back to life, Prince Zuko (Dev Patel, Slumdog Millionaire), accompanied by his loyal uncle, Uncle Iroh, (Shaun Toub) is hot on his trail. Prince Zuko is a tormented soul; he has been banished by his father, Fire Lord Ozai (Cliff Curtis) and he seeks redemption in capturing the Avatar.The visual effects are amazing. The scenes where the different benders use their powers are breathtaking. The martial art action sequences were impressive also. I thought the acting was a little over the top, but what teen movie isn’t these days.In comparison to Shyamalan past movies, this one is definitely more for the little ones. Kids will love it because of the visual effects and parents will appreciate the PG rating, there is minimal violence, and blood or gore is absent in the film.If you love a good fantasy/ adventure story this is definitely a movie to see, just as long as you don’t expect a “Shyamalan style” plot, or an intricate and gripping storyline.
Good review. I think Shyamalan needs to stop living behind his first two films and try to make a good story with an epic twist just like the Sixth Sense, but with the warmth and bonding like Signs.
I like Shyamalan but this movie was absoluetly terrible. My son was in love when he heard this was coming out, but he was extremely disapointed with the entire thing. We both wanted to get up and leave. We stayed and were very talkative after. Like how was this actually made? Who spent money on this? Why did they not know how to act, did they have any training? Im sorry to vent but it was just awful. There was one good part…the end
yeah, when it ended and you were aware that you could finally leave.
The movie did not turn out the way I thought it would be, plot wise comparing to the anime, however; the movie effect and details of the movie is phenomenal. Funny how characters in the movies knows soo much even from the begining of the movie.