The Last Airbender can bend this... wait, no, it can't.

[Lynn]

If you want spoilers, go to the wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Airbender - this review hardly has any.

I'll start by saying that I'm a big fan of the cartoon series. And that I'm going to at least try to put that completely out of my head when I think about my reactions to this movie. M. Night Shyamalan professes to be a fan as well. I say The Last Airbender was made for people who had never seen the cartoon, because it certainly wasn't made for those of us who have.

Let's start off by being nice, shall we? I liked the visuals. The locations were gorgeous, the costuming was done well, and the effects (aside from the budget 3D crap) were pretty damn cool. I would have liked to have seen a more authentic looking set, but I can get past that. Appa and Momo were great, bright spots in an otherwise dull canvas. I also liked Dev Patel as Zuko, though it's obvious that his acting skills could have been put to much better use. Shaun Toub made a good Iroh, despite not looking like the cartoon character. It's going to be impossible to talk about the movie without a few comparisons, ok? I can cut Noah Ringer some slack, seeing as how Aang is his first role. He's not an actor yet, though you could tell that he has a martial arts background. Plus, he looks just like Aang (by the way, it's pronounced "Ang" motherfuckers, as in Ang Lee, who would've been a better choice for director, not "Ahng.") And now we get to some major disappointments. Jackson Rathbone as Sokka (also... it's fucking "Sok-ah" not "Soe-ka")? Oh, hell no. Sokka is meant to be a lovable dork, not a pretty boy! It seems like Shyamalan tried to make Aang and Sokka's names sound more Asian than the American produced, but very Asian inspired cartoon. Bad idea. As for Nicola Peltz as Katara, ugh. I don't think that words can describe how horrible that was. They took a strong, even bossy Katara from the cartoon and turned her into a simpering, whiny little damsel in distress. Disgusting. Admiral Zhao was terribly overacted by Aasif Mandvi in a very slimy way. I know that Shyamalan has been criticized for "whitewashing" this film and it's completely true, but since that's already been discussed endlessly, I feel no need to continue the discussion here. I will, however, say that I think it's a shame that only the background characters mimicked the implied ethnicities of the four nations. Feel free to talk as much shit as you want, though. I've left some changes in characters unsaid just so you can!

All in all, I was extremely disappointed. We saw it in 3D, thanks to some cool friends, and it's not worth paying the extra $4 for. When I said "budget 3D," I wasn't kidding. Most of the time, I couldn't even tell that it was supposed to be 3D. I understand that it's difficult to take a season of a cartoon series and turn it into one feature-length (well, almost feature-length) film. M. Night Shyamalan failed. Utterly. The story was before him and he hacked it apart and tried to tape it back together, but it fell apart, in shreds. I can forgive leaving bits and pieces out, like Master Pakku's sexism toward Katara, as that was the basis for almost an entire episode. It irritated me to hear Katara call her grandmother "Grandma" instead of the expected "Gran Gran." Why did Shyamalan leave in characters, only to change them in minute, but annoying as hell ways? It would only have made the entire film better if he'd just left well enough alone, so I have to wonder if this guy's just trying to make bad movies now. I liked Sixth Sense. I'm a geek, so I liked Unbreakable. But after that, the level of quality just went downhill. I can only imagine how the creators of Avatar: The Last Airbender, Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, must feel. I've heard that they've said if they'd had more of a part in how the movie was written, they'd have taken it in a different direction. Very diplomatic of them. It was crap. Overly dramatized, dumbed down, glitzed up Hollywood crap. There was the potential to make an epic blockbuster out of this story, you know, deliver on what the commercials are trying to sell, but it was ruined. That said, if it manages to swing a sequel, as there are 2 more books (seasons) of the cartoon to tell, I'll end up seeing it/them - in the hopes that it'll be better than this, but also out of a morbid sense of curiosity. I can only hope that anyone who watches The Last Airbender that hasn't seen the cartoon series will actively search it out. Oh, one more thing, if there really are 2 more movies in this "planned trilogy" - don't let M. Night Shyamalan direct them! I call do over on the entire live action franchise, in fact. Let's get someone with real talent in there and see what they can do. It certainly can't be any worse.

Now I have to go scour my brain to try to forget the abysmal acting, the mangling of the plot... and think only of the beauty of Greenland, where the majority of the movie was shot. They can keep that part, along with Appa and Momo. There, they got the animals right! I'm sure if any real animals could've played a flying bison or a lemur-bat, Shyamalan would've screwed those up, too.

[Janelle]

I will post a review of my own shortly... I saw it on Monday and still have not had a moment to breathe long enough to write down my thoughts and I'd like to see it again before I make any overall assessments
With the utmost respect to your perspective, I couldn't disagree with you more.  I'll explain more later when I have an opportunity.  

[Lynn]

I just watched it again last night with a friend and I have to say that, with the right expectations, it was easier to enjoy the movie for what it is. I stand by my original statements - I'm still disappointed, didn't care for most of the acting, etc. I think that it was so hyped up in commercials and trailers and just failed to deliver what fans of the cartoon series were looking for.

That said, once you know what to expect, it's easier to get drawn into the good parts - the visuals seemed even better when I wasn't distracted by the script. So, as much as I was thinking "Oh, hell no, don't make me watch this again," I'm glad I saw it again. I do wish Shyamalan hadn't taken the liberties that he did with the storyline - we could see during Aang's flashbacks that his life with the monks was a very fun-loving one. During the first book of the series, his good humor wasn't canceled out by his grief. There were some fundamental personality changes in the principle characters that I didn't enjoy - I know that the movie was supposed to be "darker and edgier" (how I hate that Hollywood tagline by now) than the series, but it fell flat. Part of the beauty of the cartoon is it's complexity and many layers... these kids are dealing with a very harsh time, but they're still kids and they still have fun together. I hope that as Aang's grief passes, we'll see some of that in the movies and also less Nicola Peltz crying or sounding like she's crying any time she delivers Katara's lines about hope. I could understand it if the scene called for crying, but is that the only way that girl can think she's sounding serious?

Still think the series deserves a far better treatment than it got and that M. Night Shyamalan should've left well enough alone, but, against my cynical judgment, I hope the next 2 movies in the trilogy are handled better. Though, seriously, he left out the Kyoshi warriors (supposedly because he loves them so much) and the next book is Earth... I hope that his statement only pertained to book one, 'cause I can't really conceive of the Earth Kingdom, and especially Avatar Kyoshi's home, without their signature Kyoshi warriors. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Looking forward to reading your review, Janelle!

[Janelle]

Alright so here goes, short and sweet and to the point as best as I can make one.
"Avatar: The Last Airbender" the television show, is a fantasy about discovery, finding oneself in the midst of calamity, the destruction of one's past to discover the destined future, finding the love of dear friends and companions and ultimately, realizing the power within while wielding some hellaciously awesome kung fu.
“The Last Airbender” the film, had all these qualities, yet somehow left us with a less than grand feeling.  I spent the last few weeks trying to figure out why.  There were aspects of the film I loved and others that left me wanting, but none that caused me to hate it or to encourage others not to see it.
The film presents the spiritual aspect in a bit more direct fashion which I really loved and the kung fu was beautiful, as well as inspiring.  There were sweeping moments of beauty, as his experiences began to transform him and the world around him as a result.  
Although some disagree, I personally loved the more serious approach to Sokka’s character. I was afraid they would keep the “manga” style idiocy of the character in the cartoon and was relieved to see it was replaced by a more realistic version of himself that was portrayed excellently by Jackson Rathbone, proving to us that he can do more than stare wildly into space as though he is constantly in pain.
I also saw no challenges in the pronunciation of the names, because… well, it wasn’t something that I clung to.  This is a personal preference, however and I understand that. When Interview with the Vampire came out in 94, I was furious that they called him Lestat with a hard “A” rather than with a softer, more French sounding A, so I get it I do… but I don’t mind it here, personally.
I clung to the sense of purpose the show gave me as I watched it.  The feeling of inspiration it always imbedded into me as the credits rolled and the desire it gave me to get up the next day and make that the day I sought out my true purpose in life.
The television show has a measure of grief or introspective soul searching in every single episode that allows us to hold up the mirror to our own lives.  Each episode of the show brings the human vulnerability of the Airbender to light, alongside the discovery of some new ability, a strength of character and of mind that withstands the pain and struggles he experiences.
The film, although a beautiful display, did not invoke any of these feelings.  
The challenges I saw where subtle.  It wasn’t any one thing, any large mistake or missing piece.  It was simply lacking in something that drives the soul to want, to need, to crave spiritual satisfaction and inspiration.  The show does this effortlessly, simply by telling a beautiful story in a fashion that cannot be duplicated by anyone.  
I hadn’t expected it to be duplicated.  That I believe is the reason I didn’t hate the movie.  
Before I posted this, I consulted my friend who is an expert in this area; a Buddhist priest and Avatar in training himself; Fa Jun or, Christien as some of us know him.  His review is below:
“I thought the martial arts in the film was passable, but not exceptional. One might think that it is due to the age of the actors, but after seeing the recent Karate Kid film, i am assured that children of that age can become, and be presented as very skillful martial artists.

The spiritual elements in the film were, i thought, in some ways better developed than in the cartoon series, and in many ways lacking. The avatar being the link to the spirit world was an element that was not presented until the last season of the cartoon, and so that was a cool part to have in the early presentation...”
“…The airbender, spiritually and martially, i thought they were good, but with lots of room for growth. That's about it.

The arts in the film were pretty traditional, much like the cartoon, and the effects were kinda fun - but I personally felt like something was lacking. EXCEPT in the one really cool fight scene with Aang and Zuko at the Northern Water Tribe - in the storage room type place - lots of nifty grappling stuff and elbow strikes - that's all the best of Baguazhang!

I also found the scene in which Kitara is first trying to water bend and she pulls up this ball of water which slops all around and drips all over to be very representative of most students first experiments in cultivating Qi. until the Intention becomes firm, the Qi does not stay or collect - just leaks and spills.

I found the fight scene between Kitara and Zuko to be much less exciting than the version of it in the cartoon. I also found the line from Zuko "you've found a master" to be really cool in the cartoon show - representing how your martial (or any kind of) training can only go so far if you are trying to guide yourself (even with the secret scroll). The fact that this line wasn't in the film (i don't believe) was a disappointment to me.

ok.. guess I did have more to say about that show after all”.
So even the expert didn’t hate it, and that’s good enough for me.  The bottom line for me in many cases with film is that I do my absolute best to walk in, a blank slate with nothing but my open mind and a desire to be entertained in hand.  I try to see the vision of those who made a film, to see through their eyes the art they are creating and even if I don’t personally care for it- I can still see its beauty and the wonder of their creativity.  I can be swept up in the grand moments and let my mind go to experience the gift they are trying to give to us, the viewers.

[AJ]

My turn my turn my turn lol.

I will keep mine short and sweet.

Like everyone else that walks into a movie theater I do my best to walk in with an open mind and a blank state.  I having never watched the tv series intentionally walked in to the theater for this movie wide eyed.

I was disappointed.

If for any reason what so ever than for just this:  At no point and time did I ever feel like I had been taken out of my seat and placed in this movie.

It never did that for me.  I can list the reasons on and on and on but at this point I think it would be moot.  I was not engulfed in this movie and 20 mins in to it I felt like I just didn't care what was happening.  I did my best to be open minded and such but I just couldn't do it.

[Lynn]

I think part of the problem was that the movie was hyped up so much that fans of the cartoon expected it to be epic. And it wasn't. You're right, it did leave me feeling wanting... as if when it ended, it shouldn't have been over yet - not because I wanted more of the same, but because I just wanted. I still think that, had the movie been done differently (how, I don't really know, but it *is* in the smaller details), it could have reached that epic potential.

Yet, as I said before, after my second viewing, it didn't seem that bad. Maybe because I knew not to expect anything and therefore, wasn't as disappointed. Still not a great movie... still annoyed about the names ... but you're right in that it has beauty in it. Not all of it and I still don't really like Jackson Rathbone as Sokka, but eh... it could've been worse. I'm glad that they didn't keep the "idiocy" in Sokka's character, but aside from that, they could've left his humor alone.

All in all, it could've been a lot better... but it also could've been worse. If the second movie is a go, I hope it's better than the first. I still think M. Night Shyamalan is a smug, arrogant snot of a man. And I also still want to see a do over by a better writer/director who'll keep more faithful to the original and not feel the insecure need to make it his/her own to the point of alienating so many fans of the cartoon.

And... oooooh, shiny!