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've been getting e-mails for weeks complaining about the casting of "The Last Airbender," director M. Night Shyamalan's live-action adaptation of the Nickelodeon cartoon "Avatar: The Last Airbender." The writers are upset that most of the actors, with the exception of British-born Indian actor Dev Patel, who plays bad guy Zuko, are white. They should be upset with the casting, but not for the reason they think. Newcomer Noah Ringer, who plays the title role of Aang, a messianic child with the power to manipulate the elements, is woefully miscast. Not because he's white, but because the kid can't act . Embarrassingly amateurish, he gives new meaning to the term lightweight, and it has nothing to do with his character's ability to float on air. Playing a hero who's meant to be something akin to the young Dalai Lama, Ringer brings less than zero gravitas to the role. He makes the kid who plays Gibby on "iCarly" look like Sir Laurence Olivier. Aang has run away from the monastery where he was being groomed for his role, before he had mastered control of water, earth and fire. So it's almost plausible that he comes across as such a neophyte. Making matters worse are Ringer's young castmates. Playing Katara and Sokka, Nicola Peltz and Jackson Rathbone are stiff and awkward. Short of a screen test, it's hard to imagine less convincing line readings. Even Patel, of "Slumdog Millionaire" fame, is one-dimensional. Zuko is hoping to capture Aang so that his people, known as the Fire Nation, can suppress the Earth, Air and Water tribes. He's been banished by his father, the Fire Lord Ozai (Cliff Curtis), until he returns with the prize. In other words, Zuko is seeking redemption and reconciliation with an emotionally withholding father. But judging by the look of his constant scowl, all he really needs is some ibuprofen. The grown-ups don't fare much better. As Commander Zhao, Aasif Mandvi delivers a histrionic, eye-rolling performance. Only Shaun Toub, as Zuko's wise Uncle Iroh, manages anything close to subtlety. As for the special effects, the bending of the elements is, I'll admit, kind of, sort of cool. Walls of dirt rise up to repel fireballs. Oceans surge and turn to ice. And Aang rides around on a hang glider that unfolds from a staff he carries. After a while, though, all the fighting between people hurling rocks, flames, water balloons and blasts of air at each other starts to resemble, as a waggish friend noted, one long game of rock, paper, scissors. It gets real old real fast. Too bad you can't say the same for the immature and unseasoned cast. Contains martial arts and mildly violent action. Correction: An earlier version of this review misspelled the name of Laurence Olivier.Read full review
Great Movie!! Grandsons and I truly enjoyed it. If you like fiction children's movies, this is really good! It keeps your attention, and the magic and beauty is great! The only thing I caught that kid's didn't was the casting. The movie has actors that are white (as main characters) living with a Eskimo tribe that they were supposed to be born into. Even the grandmother is a white elder. It really stood out to me as a bad move on casting. But like I said kids didn't catch it or seem to care. Otherwise very good movie. Hope they make another, only watch casting it better.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
This movie took all the fun, love, and thought from the Nickelodeon show...and threw it in the trash. The movie was a disaster from the very beginning. I am a die-hard Avatar: TLA fan, and was extremely excited about this movie. And I don't think I've ever been so disappointed with a movie in my entire life. Neither the Avatar: The Last Airbender fan or Movie fan in me liked this movie even a little bit. The acting was horrible and unbelievable, the plot line was chopped to bits, and M. Night changed so many things for the worse! I will say, that my little sister (11) and brother (6) REALLY enjoyed this movie a lot, and I would consider this a good movie for the kids. But this review is what I personally thought of the movie, and it was just crap. So...If you haven't seen the Nickelodeon show, go watch it please. It WILL wash out the dirty taste in your mouth that this movie probably left.Read full review
I got this movie because it received several “ worst picture awards”. I can’t say I totally disagree! The special effects keep it from hitting rock bottom!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Awesome movie if you haven’t seen the show; if you have it leaves a lot to be desired. Case was a little battered but dvd was in excellent condition.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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