The Last Airbender

Avatar The Last Airbender

Two years ago my kids got me hooked on Nick's Avatar:The Last Airbender series. The story is incredibly well-written. The kids are reluctant heroes in an ongoing war. They aren't perfect.

Aang is a typical 12-yr-old boy who wants to have fun -- not have the burden of saving the world on his shoulders. Katara had to grow up too quickly. Sokka is Katara's brother, he can't bend any elements, but still wants to be a warrior like their missing father. And then there's Prince Zuko. He undergoes the most dramatic changes throughout the series. Along the way Aang, Katara, and Sokka build their team of elemental benders -- all needed to help Aang fulfill his destiny as the Avatar.

The kids and adults all have their faults, there are people with evil intentions, the desire for world domination, redemption, and a wise old uncle who can breathe fire (it's a trick, you gotta watch the show).

Now, there's a movie being made. Truth be told, I am a HUGE fan of Nick movies like The Rugrats and The Wild Thornberrys. When I heard that they were making a movie version of Avatar, I seriously got excited. And then I saw the trailer.


For comparison, I have posted a fan made video that shows some of the best animated scenes and gives you a good idea of what the show is about. Below that is the official live action trailer.

Here is a fan made compilation:
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And here is the Official trailer.

Honestly, can Shyamalan make a movie that by all rights should be targeted at Nickelodean's demographic (6-11 yr olds)? Will he mess it up? I have my doubts -- that he will. Just based on the trailer alone, I know there will be plenty of CGI, not that I have anything against CGI. I think this movie would be much better as straight animation like the show, or in 3-D animation (think Pixar). Or they should have gotten Robert Rodriguez, a director who knows how to mix kids, fantasy, and special effects.

Live action just has a way of changing and, unfortunately, destroying cool animated worlds. Just look at Dragonball:Evolution. Even Josh has his doubts when we saw the trailer at Transformers.



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Comments

  1. I love that show! Rodriguez would have been soooo much better. Glad to hear I'm not the only crazy adult concerned about this: )

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  2. I'm one of the rare few who actually enjoy Shamalan's "Lady in the Water" for the fairy tale/use your own imagination quality. So I have faith in M. Night in getting this imagined story right.

    I wonder how they're going to animate Appa and Momo...

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  3. It's not that I don't like Shamalan - I just don't think he's the right the director for this movie. I have liked his other movies, even though he has gotten formulaic with the "surprise endings" ... I hope he doesn't ruin it and have the Fire Nation win (something @andy065 said).

    I am amazed at how many adults love this show. Here's to hoping we won't be disappointed.

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