The Last Airbender, M. Night Shyamalan's new film, is based off the popular TV show and follows the first season or book. The avatar is the only one who can control the four elements and bring peace to the nations but he's been missing for a hundred years and the fire nation has waged war. Then Katara and Sokko find Aang, the last airbender and avatar. The only problem is that Aang doesn't know how to control the elements yet so they head out to find teachers all while being chased down by the fire nation.
I have to admit. I really did enjoy this film. Unfortunately, that doesn't necessarily make the film that good. The TV show was a gem. Something unexpected in the realm of kid's animation. Unfortunately Shyamalan didn't translate it very well to the screen. All the characters are there and cast surprisingly well. The general plot is in tact. And it also is a visual feast. And for these things it can be enjoyable but possibly more so if they would have left out the 3D. In that realm almost every film this year has been frustratingly thrown into this madness.
So unfortunately when I think harder about the film after my initial reaction there really is little to the film that makes it good. Much like the Golden Compass the film does not do justice to the source material. The plot may exist in the film but by the end if you've never seen the series you may be trying to fully piece it together. The characters jump from one space to another without any real connection. The major events are still in tact but transitions are missing. Appa and Momo still make appearances but once they do just seem to disappear. And the biggest dilemma of all is that humor seems almost void and turns this film into a fantasy drama. It's an entertaining feast for the eyes but falls far short of what it could have been. So basically, here is another big budget popcorn flick. This is the first time I personally have ever been disappointed in M. Night. I even liked The Happening. So I may have enjoyed this but the reality is that this film just really needed help.
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