The Last Airbender

[SuperAl]

i enjoyed it more than Chronicles of narnia, and from what ive noticed people who've never seen the show tend to like it as well. It sure as hell doesnt deserve a 9% or w/e its at now. It'll most likely make its budget back and some change, its already at 70mill in the states, keep in mine DBE did well in the international market. I kinda expect the same to happen for this movie.

 

[night0205]

Good grief. The movie was bad, but you make it sound like it was freaking Legend of Chun Li. The movie was disappointing and failed to do justice to the source material, but it's not like it made me want to go jump off a bridge afterwards. My reaction was "That was it? Weak." not "ZOOOMMMG M Night is a film terrorist and he destroyed my life!!!!!!"

If this movie was a street fighter movie, I wouldn't be that personally involved with whether it was good or bad. I'm not suicidal, by the way, I'm just hugely disappointed with this trash. It is not a good movie from those who haven't seen the TV show, and it's even to a greater extent worse off for those who have seen the show. You can write a whole book on how unfaithful this movie was, including what was shown, and what wasn't. The story may seem the same, but it really isn't. The characters were nothing like the show. M Night couldn't even get the facts right about Katara's mother, or who the leader of the Northern Water Tribe is, and I think he changed those things not because he was ignorant (however that wouldn't be surprising) but because he wanted to. Avatar deserves, because of the quality of it's storytelling, similar treatment that was given to Lord of the Rings. Why? Because it has so much potential. The show has created 61 episodes of one of the greatest epic fantasy stories in recent years.

 

[night0205]

double post.

 

[mr. peasant]

<how the heck did this get a double post 3 hours later?!!>

 

[Rumpy Bulge Dubz]

It is not a good movie from those who haven't seen the TV show

and what part of your ass did you pull this from. Had to reach pretty far didn't ya

 

[Antrax255]

The only reason There are even East Asians is because Jesse Mcartney was on tour Dev Patel was not first choice so please enough with the he cast East Asians it was a backup plan...I firmly believe that this constant white washing of anime/Asian influence cultures is ruining the movie industry I will no longer try to "make aware" and just focus on how terrible a movie this is and how they ruined a potential franchise

 

[The Guardian]

I saw the film this afternoon, now I know the film takes place only covering Book 1, and that there are many inconsistencies between the film and the series, but even though it has many faults, I did enjoy some aspects of it, but it was lacking, 7/10!!!

 

[mr. peasant]

The only reason There are even East Asians is because Jesse Mcartney was on tour Dev Patel was not first choice so please enough with the he cast East Asians it was a backup plan...I firmly believe that this constant white washing of anime/Asian influence cultures is ruining the movie industry I will no longer try to "make aware" and just focus on how terrible a movie this is and how they ruined a potential franchise

Fail. Dev Patel is of South Asian descent. The ones who are of East Asian descent are the Eart Kingdom and Kyoshi. There is no evidence one way or the other that changing to Patel from McCartney had any impact on the decision-making process for casting these two factions. Moreover, I feel that your inability to tell the difference between East and South Asians is far more racist than anything this movie has done.

Also, let's look at the possible options available:

1. Stick to the original races and not involve any Caucasian actors: I think one would be very hard pressed not to involve any Caucasian actors in a movie of this scale as it would effectively lock out a huge proportion of the talent pool. Hence, it's not a viable option.
   
2. All White cast: This would have gotten Shyamalan crucified by fans and creators alike. So again, not an option.
   
3. White villains, Asian heroes: Having a predominantly Caucasian nation of villains in a world otherwise populated by Asian characters would have gotten Shyamalan as being racist against Caucasian actors.
   
4. So, why not go with a strongly non-White army with a Caucasian royal family?: Shyamalan would then be accused of saying that non-Whites are supposed to be subservient to Whites.
   
5. What about mixing the heroes?: From the basis laid out, Toph is likely to be played by an actress of East Asian descent. As for Aang, I challenge you to find another actor who looks more like Aang than Ringer. As for Katara and Sokka, I again challenge you to find suitable Inuit actors to fill their roles.

 

[Antrax255]

1. Or tap into a new talent pool which you can build on and be the first to change the standards.

2. When talking about cast I'm assuming the main characters 3 out 4 and he is still being crucified once again it is because Jesse was on tour that he could not be in the movie.

3. Looking at the source material having a white villain should not come to mine. But there have been many of movies where a Caucasian has been the villain to other race. How many times have Caucasian's cried reverse discrimination in film?

4. ?

5. All of the actors you mention were not suitable looks/acting wise according to all reviews and fans. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54i1GvKCdYk challenge accepted here is Aang even has the fun personality unlike Noah. For Katara and Sokka lets see their are some Inuit actors in the background that can feel their roles.

Me racist no I just wish everyone can get their fair share in the media.

 

[Timstuff]

^ Noah looks more like Aang than that kid. And if it's off screen personalities that Aang's actor is to be judged by, then Ringer is fine in that category too. Aang in the movie is not funny or happy because they didn't want him to be, and no matter who you cast as the character that is not going to change. Ringer IMO was the right actor to play Aang but they did not let him shine in the film, much like with most of the cast. Methinks you've been spending a bit too much time with these guys:

 

[Antrax255]

^ This is first movie before this he never acted before.

 

[mr. peasant]

1. That takes time and effort to build. You can't create one overnight and requires years of gradual build-up. Right now, there isn't; especially for Inuits.

2. So people are complaining about something that 'could have happened'? The fact that his second choice was an Asian actor suggests that Shyamalan simply didn't restrict himself based on an actor's race. That, to me, is the opposite of racist.

3. But an entire race of White people, of whom are the only White people? Meaning, all White people are evil. There would definitely be people complaining about it. Not saying it would be you or me but the potential is there.

5. That falt lies more in the director than actor. It's his job to coax the right performance from the actors and to choose the takes that work. If he doesn't, he's not doing his job right. Based on past performances, we know Patel has the chops and Rathbone's snippets in the trailers prove he can perform Sokka's goofier moments. Not sure about the others but going by those two, the casting director knew what s/he was doing. If the movie is bad (I've yet to see it myself since it's not yet out over here), the fault lies with Shyamalan's direction.

 

[Lighthouse]

I feel this racebending thing is really overblown. Honestly, this movie fails in so many ways, I don't understand how it's even an issue anymore. Controversy only drums up more interest in this garbage.

 

[TNC9852002]

Yeah--the race thing is a little off putting for me, mostly for the Fire Nation because the look of the characters create such a visual disconnect for me in comparison to the show. Everyone else looks fine to me.

 

[Hotwire]

Just saw this. Have never watched the show, but I did enjoy the movie.

 

[TNC9852002]

Awww, I feel kinda bad for Shyamalan. He really seemed to dig the show

 

[the a1ant]

I'll be seeing this tomorrow. Is the 3D worth the extra $3? Or should I just stick to 2D?

 

[TNC9852002]

Well, if it were me, I'd probably stick to 2D.

 

[Timstuff]

See, that's what doesn't add up. Mike and Bryan were supportive of the project and even helped with the script. Then, Paramount started cutting stuff out, ordered reshoots, and then made M Night release the movie in 3D. It's stupid and I don't believe M Night when he claims it was his idea to chop up the film. This is typical executive meddling at its worst, and M Night is selling out his integrity because they've got him by the balls.

 

[Blade X]

Of all the reasons not to see this you chose that reason.

Yep. I'm an African American, and I know more then a little something about racism in Hollywood and casting white actors to play black,Asian,and Native American characters. Hell, I even heard that the studio who put out BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA (I think that was also Paramount) were dead set against the director of that movie (John Carpenter) casting actual Asian actors to play Asian characters. Fortunately Carpenter stuck to his guns and cast all Asian actors to play all of the Asian roles.

So excuse me for doing the right thing and refusing to spend money on a movie that is put out by a studio that refuses to hire non white actors to play non white characters.

 

[JP]

In some bizarre way I think the movie's horrible reviews/word of mouth is actually HELPING it's box office. People seem to genuinely be morbidly curious about it.

It's surprising how many times a day my twitter feed is updated by a friend saying "Just saw The Last Airbender...." and then go on to say how awful it is.

 

[Honey Vibe]

See, that's what doesn't add up. Mike and Bryan were supportive of the project and even helped with the script. Then, Paramount started cutting stuff out, ordered reshoots, and then made M Night release the movie in 3D. It's stupid and I don't believe M Night when he claims it was his idea to chop up the film. This is typical executive meddling at its worst, and M Night is selling out his integrity because they've got him by the balls.

Shyamalan made comments that showcase his arrogance, and direct culpability. He claims that negative viewers aren't getting his filming "accent", as if "bad writing and bad directing" could be a case of cultural misunderstanding.

The thing I have the biggest problem with, is that he can't own anything less than stellar -- so he can't own the facts staring him in the face. "They don't get my film accent" hints what a narcissistic ass he's become.

 

[Karelia]

Yeah, I think so too. I think people who wanted to see it since they saw the trailers were going to see it regardless of bad reviews. I know I was like that. Still don't think it's as terrible as people are making it out to be. It's not great, it's not horrible. It's in the middle IMO. I still found enjoyment out of it.

I hope he changes his mind and releases an extended version. Really think it'd help the film. Or atleast with the pacing.

 

[TNC9852002]

JP, your avatar is confusing me..

and Karelia, I'm with you. I see everything that people has had issue with in this movie--I guess for me, they didn't bother me as much. I might be a special case because I went in the movie expecting such a bad movie. Maybe with my low expectations, the worst of the movie just got absorbed and it let me really take in the few moments that I thought were well done..

 

[Honey Vibe]

Story was too fast and the only actor I thought did a not bad job was the guy that played Zuko. The girl that played princess Yue was not bad either.

I thought all the actors were A+. That wasn't the problem.
These people CAN act, but they can only do so much with awful lines, and awful commands from the director of what they must portray.

I'd also like to put in a vote of confidence for young Noah Ringer. I thought we'd have another Anakin Ham-walker on our hands, but instead Aang wass portrayed by a genuinely bright new star. Shyamalan's personal mediocrity could not extinguish it.