Everyone has been asking about this movie and heard that it wasn't that good but won't believe it because it looks amazing. Let's clear this all up right now. The reason it looks amazing is because it does. The special effects are amazing. All the elements and the bending was amazing. Appa looked great in "realistic CG", Momo look really cool too. Avatar state was pretty sick although i wish his eyes were open and not closed so we could see more blue light but that's just a little gripe. I'll put it in terms everyone can understand: The Last Airbender was a sexy 22 year old girl with a banging body who has a Pre-K education.
I am a huge fan of the show. It is rare to find a show today that combines teamwork, heart, courage, and great action all in one without it being corny. The show was amazing and if you haven't seen it...SHAME ON YOU! The show really isn't just for kids and has a great story to it. One of the things that made the show amazing was the premise and how in depth the story really went in immersing you into the world of bending. The characters and story were so iconic you really could visualize or relate to the story on a personal level. The show also included great twists and turns in it that kept everyone on edge and excited to see what happens next. Everything of what was right with the TV show...was wrong with the movie.
I understand that a movie cannot bring the exact same feel to the big screen. There is no way in hell that 20 half hour episodes would completely and seamlessly translate into a two hour movie (maybe three hours but you need James Cameron for that). I can appreciate that because you can't fit everything into one movie you must change around some things. I can also appreciate that we can't see Aang or Katara or anyone of the benders bending in every scene at all times like we did on the show. That's WAY too much money. These are all things that must be taken into account when watching any "live action" movie version of ANYTHING. With all that said...M. Night Shyamalan really dropped the ball.
If you were a fan or at least watched the show you'll know that one of the greatest things about the show was the comradery and the group dynamic that Aang, Soka, Kitara, Appa and Momo had. There was NONE of that in this movie. They were together for maybe...20min of the movie. While watching the movie, it felt really rushed. They fast forwarded through fight scenes sometimes, did a lot of voice over narration and simply didn't connect any of the characters together. The only two characters that had a deep connection that you felt were Soka and Princess Yuei and I really think that's only because they kissed. There were simply too many holes and too many flaws to really put a recommendation into the movie. Not to mention that the 3D was a gimmick. If your making a movie in 3D then start it in 3D. Don't convert it afterwords because that's the thing to do. It's annoying and your shitting on your own movie. 3D is not worth it. If you have nothing else to watch I guess check it out but frankly...you should rent it from the $1 boxes at the grocery store because it's not worth full price. I feared this was going to happen with Shymalan as the director but I had high hopes. My hopes were shattered. I feel like a fat kid who was excited at seeing an Ice Cream store...stopped at it...and found out the ice cream had all melted and spoiled. I left the theater upset and pensive about what were the good parts about the movie and all I could think of was...seeing Appa in CG and the bending. Nothing else was really good. Worst of all...had that not been based on a TV show...the movie still would not have been that good. Sigh...How depressing. It was a HIGHLY anticipated movie that was shot to hell. Save your money and you save your souls. Don't go see this movie in theaters...period.
PS. If you watched the show...you know what happens at the Northern Water Tribe against the Fire Nation. Yeah...not so much in the movie. It was something I wanted to see but got robbed again.
Any questions or further elaboration don't hesitate to comment or message.
