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Home Subscribe About Us Features News Album Reviews Movie Reviews Past Movies Movie Resources Concert Reviews Book Reviews Top 10 Contact Us	The Last Air Bender (3 D) Stars: Noah Ringer, Dev Patel, Nicola Peltz, Jackson Rathbone, Shaun Toub, Aasif Mandvi, Cliff Curtis and Seychelle Gabriel Director/Scriptwriter: M. Night Shyamalan Composer: James Newton Howard Cinematography: Andrew Lesnie Paramount/Nickelodeon Rating: PG for fantasy violence and startling images Running Length: 115 minutes Not being familiar with the adventures of an Avatar, the air bender from the Nickelodeon television series, I saw this film as a newcomer. Since martial arts are a part of the film, at a critics screening I attended, a martial arts school team presented a display of their achievements and explained their moves, several of which were seen in the film. Director/scriptwriter M. Night Shyamalan has pulled together a fantasy-action film that combines martial arts with stunning special effects and a touch of Jules Verne, too. Here is a world that once was divided into the four elements of air, water, earth and fire. They lived in harmony (note a Far Eastern mythology) until something happened to bring discord, then the four elements began to argue and fire decided it was to rule over everyone. The one person who could avoid this was absent, an air bender, who has control of all the elements instead of one. Hence the story is about a missing air bender. James Newton Howard's soundtrack for "The Last Airbender" is wonderfully done. The music does not overwhelm the action (reference: Avatar) and is appropriate to the film. This film begins in a northern climate with a brother, Sokka (Jackson Rathbone) and his sister, Katara (a water bender and played by Nicole Peltz) practicing their skills on the ice. They notice something under the ice and soon a huge flying fur creature (resembles giant Pekingese) emerges and spits out a human boy. This is Aang, and he is the last Air Bender. All of his skills haven’t been honed yet and he can only control water and air, but he has to learn quickly as the enemy is after him. Now, the enemy has the best actors, such as Prince Zuko (Dev Patel from Slumdog Millionaire), Commander Zhao (Aasif Mandvi) and Fire Lord Ozai, the Prince’s father (played by Cliff Curtis from television’s “Trauma.”) When they are on screen, forget special effects, acting begins. Otherwise, the characterizations are rather stiff, especially Nicola Peltz who stands and recites. Noah Ringer, who has the lead role of Aang, the Last Airbender, has moments of acting, mainly through facial expressions, otherwise, he is on the run from the enemy. We have skirmishes, captures, narrow escapes and elements that sometimes seem to have lives of their own. A father who thinks his son is a coward, an uncle who guards a nephew, a brother and sister who protect a child, a child who is running away from his past and Fire people who want to rule the world. What an exciting mix. M. Night Shyamalan has done it. If you aren’t familiar with the Airbender stories, the film and I’ll call it the first film, will explain what is going on. The setting is a northern climate where the Water People can freeze things and the Fire People are slow in melting things. Costumes are not elaborate but more of what ordinary people would wear. War armaments look like something from Jules Verne and the dialogue is static at times, and explanatory, at times. All in all, The Last Airbender offers a look at a different world where there was balance and now has discord. Three of the four elements have to go together against Fire (think Ares, the War God here) and bring Fire to a slow simmer. This is how wars begin and how they can end. With unity. The Last Airbender is not for small children. In 3-D, the special effects could be overwhelming. Copyright 2010 Marie Asner M. Night Shyamalan tries to win back fans with The Last Airbender, a new film based on the Nickelodeon animated TV series, Avatar. Though visually stunning and at times mentally engaging there are a few elements that keep this from being monumental. Granted a huge step above his last few endeavors this one at least shows that M. Night is trying to make something worthwhile. The story follows Aang, a young boy who discovers he is the Avatar come to bring piece to the four nations; Fire, Air, Water and Earth. The Fire Nation currently control the other nations with their power and machines. They obviously want to capture Aang and keep him from his destiny. Aang must rely on the help of other Benders in order to complete his training and journey. The live action film follows closely to the animated TV show. They take very few liberties and this should set well with the loyal fans. For those non fans over the age of 16 it might be a harder sell. Though the film is visually amazing it lacks the acting depth and direction that would cross it over into the blockbuster category. Aang's journey takes him across many lands and each one is lavishly created. This helps you engage more and keeps it interesting. It is only when the dialogue begins that the spell is broken. Luckily it has a story line that is unique and easy to follow. They set it up well and feed you information through out so that you are able to understand the plot without having seen the animated version. I think most young people will like Aang's character and want to see him succeed. There are plenty of well crafted martial art scenes and though not expertly delivered they at least choreographed in a way that works in the setting. The Last Airbender is safe for those 10 and up. The violence is not graphic but filmed in a way that softens the blow. There is no crude language or anything offensive in the dialogue. The only issue some parents may have is in the theme of reincarnation and the spirit world. But I think that the overall message of following your destiny and helping those around you far exceeds anything negative. I give it 3 out of 5 neon tattoos. Not a great film and certainly one geared toward the younger movie goers. Still it is a step forward for Shyamalan and one that has enough solid elements to keep it from failing completely. Matt Mungle Review copyright 2010 Mungleshow Productions. Used by Permission.