Within the first few minutes of The Last Airbender, the lame dialogue ends any expectation of amusement from M. Night Shyamalan’s latest cinematic offering. The under-directed actors are not capable of compensating for their pitifully scripted lines. Only actor Shaun Toub, (Iron Man, The Kite Runner), who plays Uncle lroh, the protector of his nephew, the prince, seemed to find his acting “chi”.
The Smoldering Effects Of A Watery Tale
Maybe the dialogue is kept weak in order to highlight the excessive Tai chi demonstrations or the badly constructed story? Or, perhaps it time for M.Night Shyamalan, and any remaining steadfast fans, to accept he’s a one hit wonder. Granted, it is his first attempt at action adventure for the supernaturally inclined filmmaker. But, the writer-director has not been about to create anywhere near another masterpiece as his first, and Oscar-nominated, film, The Sixth Sense.
Even If you are easily amused by special effects, you will not be especially impressed here, despite the 3D feature. Not only will the upcoming Fourth of July fireworks be more entertaining, but also they come at no charge.
The one bright spot of this film is the adorable, flying mythical buffalo, named Appa. Yet, the creature seems to be a cast-off from one of the bestial monsters from Where The Wild Things Are movie. Well, recycling is a respectable act.
The Four Nations’ Elements And Their Benders
In a world with overseeing spirits, there are four nations representing the natural elements, -Air, Water, Earth and Fire. Each nation’s nomadic tribes have amongst them individuals who are born with the ability to bend their nations’ element to their will. The nations enjoyed the protection of their benders, while the world had a lone avatar who could manipulate all the elements.
During the time of this story, a young boy, named Aang (Noah Ringer) discovers that he is The Avatar. However, he is not ready for the restrictive responsibility, and runs away from his monastery home, before completing his training.
Years later, a young girl, Katara (Nicola Peltz) struggles to improve her skills as the Waterbender of her arctic village (a location in Greenland). One day with her older brother, Sokka (Jackson Rathbone), they uncover a strange boy and his flying buffalo, who have been frozen inside a ball of ice. They bring the boy, with unusual tattoos, back with them to their home with the North Water Tribe.
The boy learns that the Fire Nation has dominated most of the four nations. Suddenly, the village is raided by fire soldiers, led by Prince Zuko (Dev Patel). However, the prince has been banished from the Fire Nation by his father, the king.
In order to redeem himself to his father, Prince Zuko must find the lost Avatar and bring him back before the Fire King. The prince comes across Aang during his search of the village. He recognizes the tattoo markings that identify him as the lost Avatar.
The Avatar is captured and taken away by the prince’s fire warriors. Katara and Sokka feel it’s their duty to rescue Aang, and help him to defend the other nations. With the aid of Aang’s airbending skills, they fight off the prince’s soldiers and escape. Together, they travel to the secluded South Water Tribe, so both Katara and Aang can improve their waterbending skills. However, both the banished prince and his father’s warriors are soon to follow.
The Cast and Crew of The Last Airbender
The Last Airbender stars Noah Ringer, Nicola Peltz, Dev Patel, Jackson Rathbone, Shaun Toub, Aasif Mandvi and Cliff Curtis.
Written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan (The Village, Signs, Unbreakable, The Sixth Sense). Screenplay adapted from Series "Avatar: The Last Airbender", created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. Cinematography by Andrew Lesnie. Edited by Conrad Buff. Production design by Philip Messina. Art direction supervised by Richard L. Johnson. Costume design by Judiana Makovky.
Produced by Sam Mercer and Frank Marshall. Executive Producers are Kathleen Kennedy, Scott Aversano, Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko. US theatrical release by Paramount Pictures.
(Running Time: 95 min)
(Rated: PG; for fantasy action violence.)
