The Last AirbenderAlso known as ‘Avatar’ to the fans of the American anime style cartoon series, but thanks to a certain Mr Cameron it’s been stripped of its original title. Unsure of the possible catastrophe this film could be in the hands of notoriously bad director M. Night Shyamalan, I found myself awaiting those tell tale first few scenes, eager with anticipation. I’m not let down by the opening, if perhaps a little confused by the star wars referencing, which got my geek-radar spinning. The fascinating polar landscapes filled with spirits, mystical creatures from another time, and the promise of a great adventure, I’m already hooked.
Ancient powers used for good and evil form the battleground for our avatar. Well choreographed movements fitted with appropriate CGI effects that demonstrate control over the elements. This teamed together to bring to life a very animated little character in hero Aang. For a debut feature film performance, young Noah Ringer possesses all the heart and soul that Aang is supposed to embrace.
Banished young prince Zuko is played by UK’s finest Dev Patel (of ‘Skins’ TV series and ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ fame), who is the frustrated down beaten teen. A thirst for vengeance that drives him to terrible deeds gives Patel a great opportunity to work as the darker character. Stumbling along trying to understand her powers is female protagonist Katara, who’s bigger brother you might recognise from his leap to fame as Jasper in the ‘Twilight’ saga. Sadly neither deliver substantial performances, of course not helped along by the hurtfully simplistic dialogue and constant reactions shots which detract from the idea of characters inhabiting their own emotional spaces.
Placed within an estranged world where each nation is defined by their continental locations and elements, but somehow not too dissimilar to our world. It allows some interesting location shooting, the exoticism of Asia is inherent in so many set designs and this definitely helps the narrative. Albeit the narrative isn’t clever and it doesn’t take much to convince me that the main ideology of the animated series has been thrown into the wind.
The original conception of several martial arts influences to create a fighting style that’s unique to the animation comes across clearly in the odd fight scenes. As soon as I begin to think that time and effort has gone into intensive martial arts training, I have to catch myself as it’s obvious that the mismatched attempts at martial skills that little passion has been applied.
The technical mastery of models and miniature sets is impressive and quite right so placed as a feature of significance within the tale…but are they really from this narrative or just snatched from other fantasy films? The major battle sequence seems to have been warped from the second ‘Lord of the Rings’ film, in a more than over the top clumsy referencing pattern. It’s difficult to see this film as its own separate feature and not just a rehash of so many other fantasy films. It’s just not okay to take a cult classic, make a live action version and fail so miserably to deliver something original.
