Today’s quick review: The Last Airbender. A century after the disappearance of the Avatar, Katara (Nicola Peltz) and Sokka (Jackson Rathbone), siblings from the Water Tribe, discover Aang (Noah Ringer), a young Airbender who might be the reincarnation of the Avatar, entombed in ice. Meanwhile, Zuko (Dev Patel), the exiled prince of the Fire Kingdom, tries to redeem himself by capturing Aang and delivering him to his father, Fire Lord Ozai (Cliff Curtis).
The Last Airbender is a fantasy action movie from M. Night Shyamalan based on the Avatar: The Last Airbender animated series. The Last Airbender takes place in a world where some people can manipulate the elements, but only the Avatar can wield all four. The movie follows Aang and his friends as they try to free the world from rule of the Fire Nation. The movie has strong source material and decent action, but its overall execution is sorely lacking.
The Last Airbender falls short in a number of ways. Characters make bad decisions that are hardly commented on and rarely punished. Dramatic scenes are robbed of their tension by the way they are presented. The acting quality varies widely from character to character. The story is also underdeveloped, with a truncated arc for Aang and almost nothing for Katara and Sokka. No single flaw is crippling, but the sheer quantity of them adds up quickly.
In spite of its many flaws, The Last Airbender does show promise. Prince Zuko and his Uncle Iroh (Shaun Toub) are the high point of the film, with Zuko trying to prove himself to his ruthless father and Iroh acting as a much-needed voice of reason. The action scenes are somewhat toned down to keep the movie family-friendly, but they are still flashy and fun, with some solid fight choreography. And while the story is flawed, it does have its moments.
The Last Airbender is an honest attempt at a family-friendly adventure that is hampered by a host of minor issues. The movie still has something to offer lenient viewers and younger audiences, but fans of the television show will find it to be a drastic step down. Those willing to take a gamble may want to give it a shot anyway, but most viewers would be better off looking for something with more polish to its story, action, and presentation.
For a more action-oriented fantasy movie with a similar flavor, try The Great Wall. For a less successful adaptation of a popular animated show, try Dragonball: Evolution. For family-friendly fantasy action set in the present day, try The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.
4.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 5.0 for decent action and a few good characters, held back by issues with its story, acting, and overall presentation.