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The Last Airbender (2010)

Time Out rating

Average user rating

11 reviews

Synopsis

M Night Shyamalan returns after his nature's revenge horror 'The Happening' with a film about a young mystic with the ability to, well, bend air.

Movie review

From Time Out London

If M Night Shyamalan’s po-faced fantasy epic were half as much fun as its ridiculous title suggests, it might have been possible to salvage a smidgen of entertainment from it. Instead, one is bored and stupefied by what seems like an eternity of vacuous spectacle, cod-Buddhist tosh and clunking dialogue. Even more embarrassing than the risible ‘Lady in the Water’, this wildly misjudged farrago is portentous but never profound, laughable but not remotely funny and action-packed without ever being exciting – all in fuzzy, retro-fitted 3D.

Having been awol for 100 years – during which time the world was thrown out of balance (yawn) and the bellicose Fire Nation conquered the peaceful Southern Water Tribe with their fearsome war machines – the shaven-headed Aang (Noah Ringer) is released from a sphere of ice by two Water Tribe children, Katara (Nicola Peltz) and her older brother Sokka (Jackson Rathbone). It looks like Aang may be the mythical Avatar, the only being who can control all four elements: Earth, Fire, Water and Air. Various interested parties, including the Fire Nation’s vengeful, exiled Prince Zuko (Dev Patel), are determined to harness or suppress the Avatar’s powers.

A series of confusing adventures, explosive battles and vaguely spiritual confrontations follows, while giant furry creatures float in the air, talking dragon spirits offer sage advice, and the moon turns red with shame. Devotees of the original Nickleodeon animated TV series swear this film adaptation is a travesty of its meaningful, allegorical themes – but most of them were aged between six and 12 when they first saw it. Either way, if your actual or mental age exceeds this, steer well clear.

Author: Nigel Floyd

Time Out London Issue 2086, 12 – 18 August, 2010

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User reviews of this film

raihan said...

Posted on Sep 11 2010 12:44 this film is cool i liked the footage its like its real its the best film ever and at last the best one of seen

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Bobby said...

Posted on Sep 07 2010 19:33 I'm 23 and I really like the animated series. Okay the big plot was somewhat cheesy but the episodes and sub-stories were very good. Plus it had lots of humor.
The movie however, was a big let-down. I was almost ashamed when I walked out of the theathre that I went to see such a shallow and childish movie. I was especcialy disappointed that uncle Iroh was turned into a rather serious elderly and slim profile uncle. I loved the round-belleyd, silly tea-sipping old man from the series. Sigh.

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Heather Leonard said...

Posted on Sep 04 2010 20:22 I was rather apprehensive to go watch this film as Shyamalans last few films, such as, The Happening were complete rubbish..I have to say though..this film blew me AWAY!! It was fantastic and I'll be watching it AGAIN!! Its about time he brought a decent film out and I can honestly say I'm well and truely itching for the next part of the Air Bender story already!! A great film!! Go watch it and ignore bad reviews...make up your own mind!! Truely Great!

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AJ said...

Posted on Sep 04 2010 14:55 I liked the movie - childish I agree but if it wasn't for the high expectations, I am sure it wouldn't be slated like it is being

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Samuels said...

Posted on Aug 24 2010 08:57 I first watched The Last Airbender when I was seventeen. I'm twenty now and still advocate it as a landmark for American television series.
An animated show that appeals to a broad audience, be it child, teen or adult? I thought that was Japan's territory!
You wouldn't guess it by this movie, though, of which I'm thrilled you denounced. Shymalan can take his insufferable ego elsewhere before he destroys any more potential.

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roger rabbit said...

Posted on Aug 21 2010 20:52 Title is bad enough.....If you hate someone get them tickets for this ..Shyamalan needs to go back to delivering kebabs His last 3 movies just STINK

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James Ibasco said...

Posted on Aug 18 2010 00:09 Dont waste your time in this movie, better to watch animation on 3d as they come with better storylines. This one is a complete crap

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Mike Morden said...

Posted on Aug 14 2010 16:41 Shyamalan has a reputation for great story telling and I got curious about this after watching most of his other offerings. I dismissed the bad reviews on this one after watching the Happening but sad to say that TLA is just plain confusing unlike his other work. I wonder if there's a directors cut because I can't imagine Shyamalan can really rate this movie as it stands. For Shyamalan fans only.

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scrumpyjack said...

Posted on Aug 11 2010 21:19 Acceptable DVD "shut the kids up" fodder. No kids? no reason to watch.

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andrew said...

Posted on Aug 10 2010 23:27 Yes, the film is terrible, but the 'six to twelve' comment was sloppy. The original cartoon was made very recently - it played from 2005 to 2008 - and has plenty of older fans, as a quick google would have shown. (Roger Ebert for one.)

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Daniel said...

Posted on Aug 10 2010 15:51 Caught this in the States, I was really pumped as I'm a fan of the cartoon. How Shyamalan could screw this up is beyond me. How many stinkers has he made in a row now? "The Village", "Lady in the Water", "The Happening" and now "Last Airbender". How the hell does he still get work? Unbelievable

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