The Last Airbender (2010– 103 mins)  n. Ringer, N. Peltz

M. Night Shyamalan has been abused quite regularly in the press and by all the “critics” for his last few movies. When you hear his name b/c of these people you immediately think he hasn’t done jack in a few movies, he’s in a slump, or he has lost his touch. Well before I get to the Airbender let me first look at his works. The last few movies (before Airbender) M. Night has done are; The Happening (2008), Lady in the Water (2006), The Village (2004), and Signs (2002).  I cannot say much about Happening b/c I haven’t seen it. Lady in the Water was an entertaining fairy tale of a movie that was good to me but people (and critics) were negative mainly b/c there just was no Shaymalan “twist” to the movie like most of his previous ones. I don’t claim to be a huge M. Night fan but of all these movies I have listed they all have their merritt. I can’t say these are AMAZING movies but I enjoyed them, and would also recommend them to anyone as a decent watch. Not movies I would own (but I am picky) but good watches anyway. So we can dismiss critic’s and the public bashing him for being in a slump quite easily IMO.

So I went into The Last Airbender with no preconceived notions.  Also I have  never seen the cartoon the movie is based on, but since I hate typical critics I was willing to give it the benefit of a doubt. SO, the basic plot. Aang is an “Avatar”, a being with the power to wield the power and master all 4 elements (Air, Water, Fire and Earth) and keeper of the peace of the world. He has been away for some time and since then the fire nation is hell bent on taking over the world in his absence he must find a way to help the other nations overcome them. First we REALLY have to look at the target audience. It’s not a summer blockbuster for the whole world to take in as an epic. It’s basically a kids movie. Prolly a tween boy’s movie that has watched the cartoon a bunch and wants to see that world in a motion picture. So that’s why people immediately want to dismiss it as crap. Most people go into movies like this looking for the next Iron Man or Independence Day. It’s not that. What it is, is a decent kids adventure with some under the surface good lessons.

The fighting in the movie, is not really the way you think of. All these “benders” of the elements do what looks like some sort of Tai Chi and then elements (like water or fire) are thrown all around. This is combined with some other martial arts also but it all looks a bit strange. It’s just the style of the movie. Might not be my favorite style but it’s consistent in the movie and it’s it’s own style. I can get over that. I am sure people didn’t like this but hey get over yourself. The story is a decent one for an adventure and I was interested in seeing how it unfolded. The acting while not great (most main characters are not seasoned actors but some of the supporting ones are) is good enough, especially for this child fable-like tale. Don’t look for a heady Oscar movie, just sit back and let your inner kid have fun for a while and you will like it better.  The movie does a pretty typical ending with hopes for sequels but like a movie I did like quite a bit Eragon , I bet we are left in limbo for any furthur installments of this one. Don’t worry M. Night, I might not be a huge fan but I think you are still making quality movies.

Verdict–> If you have kids or like fantasy type faire you will be ok watching this movie. If you have no interest in those then don’t bother. I think of the first 2 the only people who won’t like it are hard core fans of the cartoon/comic (I hear it’s missing some characters from them). It’s worth a rental to me.

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