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:

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.

You can watch Avatar:The Last Airbender online and get caught up on the story before the movie comes out next year.

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