LAF Reviews of TLA

[Mega-Aang]

Another point I'd like to put out there.

Generally, when movies come out there and there are mixed reviews from PROFESSIONALS who do this for a living I tend to disregard them and see for myself.

I've just checked the internet for 20 reviews from some of the biggest publications in North America and NONE of them have given them a good review. Some were written to try to be kind, but the majority of them caution you to stay away.

That's gotta say something.

[Project 86]

even the positive ones said this

ignore m night the writer view m night the director

or

this could of been the next lord of the rings with a different writer

lol

[GIL595]

I enjoyed your review MB, I have hopes in this movie and feel like the wish of Paramount of making money is ruining this whole thing...
I truly believe in what you said about the 3D conversion. They probably made a shorter version of the Director's cut. Night as we all know, knows how to make a good movie better than anyone and he would never let this happen to one of his most beloved project's. It's really weird, what's happening... It doesn't feel like it's from Shyamalan himself.


Everyone who has seen the movie
I'm curious about

that old scene with Katara smiling at Aangs poster?

[neo78956]

@Mindbender Thank you for that review! It was very honest and truthful and actually gave me more courage for when I see the movie tonight.

I'm curious as to how the actors and M. Night are reacting to all of the reviews though...

If you know anything about M. Night, it's that he lives in a bubble, and hasn't been getting a single piece of feedback on any of his films since The Village. There's multiple books written about how his ego is so inflated yet fragile that he can't take criticism in any form and just does whatever he wants, with no one supervising him to tell him no.

Anywho, here's my review.

Believe me when I say that no one is more disappointed with this film than I am. What should have a been a slam-dunk is a huge let-down. An even bigger shame considering how brilliantly written, acted, and directed the animated series it's based on is. Where to begin? The film is far too short, and feels like a combination of a Sparknotes booklet (albeit an incomplete one) and a "Previously on" montage to set up a new season, but missing crucial moments, information, and characters. In fact, I think watching this adaptation of what is arguably the best American animated show since Batman: The Animated Series is like reading the Sparknotes version of a classic book. Sure, you get the basic idea, but you miss out on all the subtleties, complexities, and power of the source material. What you're left with is a flat, unenjoyable experience that feels more like a chore than anything. This is largely due to the incredibly rushed pacing of the film. With a running time of only 103 minutes, they had to cram more plot into this film than humanly possible. I honestly was not bothered so much by the changes to the story as much as the massive amount of material left out. Word on the street is there was a 150 minute cut at some point, as is evidenced by the trailers, which include a great deal of finished footage that never made it into the final cut of the film. And it's not so much that they took out little things, but practically any shred of character development gone. It's just plot plot plot, but not even told in a very coherent manner, due to the rushed, uneven pacing. The writing is just downright atrocious. Seriously, the detractors of James Cameron should give The Last Airbender a peek. You'll find yourself wanting to watch Avatar again, because that film told a better story, with more interesting, well-rounded characters. The dialogue in this film is some of the worst I've heard in a long time. It's just so flat and uninteresting. There have been complaints about the acting, but I think you can only expect so much out of a cast of newcomer child actors.

There's a few good things to point out. On the acting front, Dev Patel and Shaun Toub nail their performances as Zuko and Iroh. Both have had better performances, sure, but they definitely do very well. Dev in particular pretty much saved the film for me. And thank god, since Zuko is my favorite character in the show. I take comfort knowing they didn't screw his character up. Secondly, the tech aspects of the film are great. It's a visual feast. The cinematography, visual effects, and art direction are so ridiculously beautiful. James Newton Howard's score, which has been available on iTunes for some time now, remains my favorite film score of the year. Too bad it accompanied such a flat film. Oh well, I'll still listen to it, just with images of the TV show dancing in my head. Also, the martial arts were great. Noah Ringer was already a black belt martial arts champion when he wast cast as Aang, and from what I saw in this film, that little twelve year old boy looks like he could kick my ass six ways to Sunday. Same goes for Dev Patel, who trained his ass off and it shows, since he performed all of his own stunts. Once again, Dev Patel comes to the rescue and saves the film. At least, redeems every scene he's in. Speaking of which, my favorite part of the film was the Blue Spirit scene. That is the one and only part M. Night got right. For the gorgeous cinematography, score, martial arts, and Dev Patel's performance, I have to give this film a higher rating than I normally would.

But really, sight and sound can't save this film from being a big fat disappointing mess. It's such a shame too, since this looked like a sure-fire winner. And as I've pointed out many times before, the animated series it's based on is nothing short of brilliant. Seriously, forget this film and check out the show on Netflix streaming, you'll be glad you did. Nothing deserves to bore and disappoint this much, but M. Night Shyamalan seems to have totally lost touch with what makes a good film. Fool me once, etc.

[aznhomieboi161989]

@Mindbender Thank you for that review! It was very honest and truthful and actually gave me more courage for when I see the movie tonight.

I'm curious as to how the actors and M. Night are reacting to all of the reviews though...

If you know anything about M. Night, it's that he lives in a bubble, and hasn't been getting a single piece of feedback on any of his films since The Village. There's multiple books written about how his ego is so inflated yet fragile that he can't take criticism in any form and just does whatever he wants, with no one supervising him to tell him no.

Anywho, here's my review.

Believe me when I say that no one is more disappointed with this film than I am. What should have a been a slam-dunk is a huge let-down. An even bigger shame considering how brilliantly written, acted, and directed the animated series it's based on is. Where to begin? The film is far too short, and feels like a combination of a Sparknotes booklet (albeit an incomplete one) and a "Previously on" montage to set up a new season, but missing crucial moments, information, and characters. In fact, I think watching this adaptation of what is arguably the best American animated show since Batman: The Animated Series is like reading the Sparknotes version of a classic book. Sure, you get the basic idea, but you miss out on all the subtleties, complexities, and power of the source material. What you're left with is a flat, unenjoyable experience that feels more like a chore than anything. This is largely due to the incredibly rushed pacing of the film. With a running time of only 103 minutes, they had to cram more plot into this film than humanly possible. I honestly was not bothered so much by the changes to the story as much as the massive amount of material left out. Word on the street is there was a 150 minute cut at some point, as is evidenced by the trailers, which include a great deal of finished footage that never made it into the final cut of the film. And it's not so much that they took out little things, but practically any shred of character development gone. It's just plot plot plot, but not even told in a very coherent manner, due to the rushed, uneven pacing. The writing is just downright atrocious. Seriously, the detractors of James Cameron should give The Last Airbender a peek. You'll find yourself wanting to watch Avatar again, because that film told a better story, with more interesting, well-rounded characters. The dialogue in this film is some of the worst I've heard in a long time. It's just so flat and uninteresting. There have been complaints about the acting, but I think you can only expect so much out of a cast of newcomer child actors.

There's a few good things to point out. On the acting front, Dev Patel and Shaun Toub nail their performances as Zuko and Iroh. Both have had better performances, sure, but they definitely do very well. Dev in particular pretty much saved the film for me. And thank god, since Zuko is my favorite character in the show. I take comfort knowing they didn't screw his character up. Secondly, the tech aspects of the film are great. It's a visual feast. The cinematography, visual effects, and art direction are so ridiculously beautiful. James Newton Howard's score, which has been available on iTunes for some time now, remains my favorite film score of the year. Too bad it accompanied such a flat film. Oh well, I'll still listen to it, just with images of the TV show dancing in my head. Also, the martial arts were great. Noah Ringer was already a black belt martial arts champion when he wast cast as Aang, and from what I saw in this film, that little twelve year old boy looks like he could kick my ass six ways to Sunday. Same goes for Dev Patel, who trained his ass off and it shows, since he performed all of his own stunts. Once again, Dev Patel comes to the rescue and saves the film. At least, redeems every scene he's in. Speaking of which, my favorite part of the film was the Blue Spirit scene. That is the one and only part M. Night got right. For the gorgeous cinematography, score, martial arts, and Dev Patel's performance, I have to give this film a higher rating than I normally would.

But really, sight and sound can't save this film from being a big fat disappointing mess. It's such a shame too, since this looked like a sure-fire winner. And as I've pointed out many times before, the animated series it's based on is nothing short of brilliant. Seriously, forget this film and check out the show on Netflix streaming, you'll be glad you did. Nothing deserves to bore and disappoint this much, but M. Night Shyamalan seems to have totally lost touch with what makes a good film. Fool me once, etc.

OMG! That explains EVERYTHING (of why he's the director, writer, AND the producer aswell!) :O he needs a reality check.

[Dani]

I'm sad with all the bad reviews and its not only from the Critics but from the fans. I'm still going to support it. Does anybody know If M. Night Shyamalan has the rights to the other Books?

[Emtee]

If you know anything about M. Night, it's that he lives in a bubble, and hasn't been getting a single piece of feedback on any of his films since The Village. There's multiple books written about how his ego is so inflated yet fragile that he can't take criticism in any form and just does whatever he wants, with no one supervising him to tell him no.

WTF. Is this true?!!?!

He HAS to read the reviews of this one, he HAS to. It needs to be salvaged! It needs to be improved!
How else will he ever learn?!! Wtf man. Wtf.

[lightskinnnn38]

If you know anything about M. Night, it's that he lives in a bubble, and hasn't been getting a single piece of feedback on any of his films since The Village. There's multiple books written about how his ego is so inflated yet fragile that he can't take criticism in any form and just does whatever he wants, with no one supervising him to tell him no.

Oh Good Lord... From what I read, during the run through of the movie with staff and cast, he already had everything planned exactly the way he wanted it in his head, and had animation made to show everyone. I'm sure when he first made it he had everything set and made no room for change. I could see how this movie turned out to be a failure for majority of the audience. He needs reality check and fast. Maybe his kids will think it's a horrible movie and make him see the light lol

[Lil GaGa]

I enjoyed your review MB, I have hopes in this movie and feel like the wish of Paramount of making money is ruining this whole thing...
I truly believe in what you said about the 3D conversion. They probably made a shorter version of the Director's cut. Night as we all know, knows how to make a good movie better than anyone and he would never let this happen to one of his most beloved project's. It's really weird, what's happening... It doesn't feel like it's from Shyamalan himself.


Everyone who has seen the movie
I'm curious about

that old scene with Katara smiling at Aangs poster?

I wtf'd at that scene

They were setting various villages free and making posters saying the Avatar was back to save the day. Katara had just posted one of those posters, thats why she was smiling.

[Emtee]

some of the best moments were actually produced without adapting a scene from the show. For example, there is a scene where

Zhao has invited Zuko and Iroh to dine with him and his men on his ship. Zhao raises his glass to toast Zuko, but instead of toasting him, he reminds his men why the Firelord banished him, and tells his crew that Zuko is not even allowed to wear a fire nation military uniform, but that he (Zhao) was making an exemption for him at this dinner, allowing him to wear one "as a child who wears a costume." Obviously, Zuko is boiling over by the time Zhao says that part, and he stands up, walks over to him, and whispers to him that when his father accepts him back, that Zhao would be beneath him.

that scene actually works really well, and one of the biggest deviations Shyamalan made from the source material.

M Night did say his speciality was the "dinner-table scene". Hahaha.
Anyway, I really liked reading your review Mindbender. Thanks for putting up that lengthy analysis/review.