Avatar: The Last Airbender Movie Review

First off. I'm not a critic. I like to review movies, but I don't enjoy ripping them to shreds. If you're looking for someone to hate with, keep on truckin'. That's not how I roll. I've read and heard a lot of criticism for M. Knight Shyamalan's The Last Airbender, but truthfully I really loved it. I love the fact that he sat down and watched all the episodes, fell in love with the cartoon like I did, and said "I'm gonna make this a movie." I mean, how many times do they create cartoons that both parents and kids enjoy? Who cares if it isn't one of his crazy, psycho-thriller movies? Not me.

Plot: Aang wakes up after one-hundred years in an ice sphere by a brother and sister, Sokka and Katara, from the southern water tribe. The world is soon alerted that the Avatar is back as Aang, Sokka, and Katara start to help groups of people take back control from the oppression of the Fire Nation. The trio finally end on in the Northern water tribe so that Aang can master water bending. As the Avatar he can speak to spirits and visit their world as well as master the four bending elements, Fire, Water, Earth, and Air. His job is to help bring balance and peace to the world the Fire Nation is now seeking to dominate. The Fire Lord's move is to destroy the northern water tribe by killing the moon spirits that give the tribe their water bending power. Aang and the crew are there to foil their evil plans and save the day. The movie ends with a set up up for multiple sequels as Aang has 3 years to develop all of his bending abilities (a lot longer time period than the series) at the end of which will be the big show down with the fire lord...and the plot thickens.

At first I was concerned with some of the cast. I didn't think Noah Ringer looked like Aang. He does have a cool name though, Noah. Same as my first son so it must be cool. I have to say that I ended up loving that boy though. I know there is controversy because he isn't Asian, but out of everyone in the series I always pictured the Fire Lord's family as Asian. Maybe that's just me. My main issues were actually with Sokka and Uncle. They are supposed to be funny, two of my favorite characters in fact, but neither of them made me laugh. My husband pointed out that the first book they are both more serious. He's more of a fan than I am so I'll take his word for it. The story line is very close to the show. Although Sokka wasn't funny, I think Rathbone did a great job as the big brother. I also thought the siblings looked very believable, not exactly like the cartoon, but exactly like siblings. Katara looked younger than I imagined her to be, but I actually like her that way. It makes her connection with Aang more realistic to me. I wasn't a fan of Prince Zuko's physical appearance. His acting wasn't too bad so I guess I could live with it. Where's his princely little pony tail? He had a small one in the back, but the rest of his hair was more like a chili bowl? I like small details like that. I wanted uncle to be fat and jolly, but again, I really enjoyed his acting so yet another detail I'll let slide. They should thank me for my benevolence, I know. In all I thought the story flowed well if you've seen the cartoons. I wonder how easy it would be to follow for those who haven't? I really hope that this franchise is continued until the end, and that they are able to keep the same actors through out. If you like fantasy, go rent the first season of the show, then go see the movie. My son is 9 and he said, "I liked it 99%" so there you go.