Tuesday, March 06, 2012

Avatar: The Last Airbender


Are you an Avatar fan? I am. I'm talking about the Nickelodeon's Avatar: The Last Airbender (The Legend of Aang). It is an animated TV series that aired on the Nickelodeon channel and follows the journey of Aang, a 12 year old air nomad, who had been chosen to become the Avatar, who can control all four elements (air, water, earth and fire) with the sole purpose of defeating the evil Firelord Ozai, ending the war and restoring peace to all four nations: the Water Tribe, the Fire Nation, the Earth Kingdom and the Air Nomads. *breathes* That was quite a mouthful. :)

Upon airing in February of 2005, Avatar: The Last Airbender immediately captured its critics and audience's interest, both young and old. It has been nominated for and won awards from various award-giving bodies and gained a very huge following all over the globe. It is renowned for its very lovable characters, amazing martial arts and excellent visuals. It is definitely one of the most incredible TV shows ever made.


There are rumors, speculating that an Avatar spin-off mini-series (Avatar: The Legend of Korra) is currently on the works and will premiere in 2012.


When I first heard about the news that there are Hollywood plans to make a live action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender, I was just ecstatic! I love the series. L. O. V. E. When the movie finally came out July 2010, I watched it without thinking twice. I should have read some reviews first. The movie was a disappointment.I didn't expect the movie to be exactly the same as the cartoon. Of course, it would be really really cool to see all 20 episodes, compressed inside the 2hour movie, but I didn't think it was possible. However, I did expect a good, if not great, movie. Not.... this.

There are lots of negative reviews about the movie. The fans of Nick's Avatar have been complaining about the wrong casting of the actors. Sokka and Katara are both white-skinned, when in fact they are supposed to be tanned people. There was also a racism issue circulating around the movie.

My opinion.

I was gravely disappointed on the actors. Katara who is a feisty waterbender in the series became someone who just existed, soley for the purpose of having the character in the movie. Sokka, who is very humorous and entertaining while being sarcastic at the same time, became dull and humorless and didn't leave a mark. I actually questioned their existence in the film.

There was no Sokka humor. If you've watched the series, then you know it wouldn't be the same without Sokka and his sarcastically funny one-liners. Frankly, I consider Sokka as the best character in the series. He's just too hilarious to ignore.

The flaws..

Fire benders use their internal body heat as a source of their fire bending. It's like, they are able to conjure fire from thin air. In the movie, the fire benders could only control pre-existing fire. The film looked RUSHED. They pronounced the names wrong. The acting were painfully awkward. The lines were delivered without conviction. The bending was all wrong. When a bender bends an element during an attack, it moves with the steps. In the movie, the benders waved their hands and made 5-10 moves before an element attack actually took place. Also, there were so many ridiculous slo-mo movements, I couldn't help but shake my head in disgust.

There were some very important and pivotal scenes in the series that weren't given screentime in the movie. Many great characters were not included in the movie. Important characters like King Bumi, Jet, Roku, Suki, Kyoshi or any of the Kyoshi warriors. They should have been introduced in Book1 because they're recurring characters in the following books.

If you've watched the movie and you liked it, then good for you. If you're a series fan, watched the movie and liked it, then good for you as well. But if you're a series fan, watched the movie and came out feeling like you just wasted money on some crap, I feel you.

It was said that Shamalayan watched the series with his kids.. that "watching Avatar has become a family event in my house ... - M. Night Shyamalan". But after watching this movie, I doubt if that statement's true. The movie didn't even come close to the magnificently crafted Nickelodeon series.


Movie reviews:
New york Times
Chicago Tribune
Rotten Tomatoes

Avatar series:
Nickelodeon: Avatar: The Last Airbender
Wikipedia: Avatar: The Last Airbender
IMDB: Avatar: The Last Airbender

* Images from Google

58 comments:

  1. i'm a fans of avatar too..
    i also dissapointed of what i got at the movie..
    it's totally different..
    wish it redo by the maker of pirate of caribbean, harry potter or something..
    but, still watched the series 'till now!
    <3 avatar!!

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    1. For me, the movies really was a disappointment.. but the series ROCKS! XD

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  2. I used to love Avatars. Pero ngayon, hindi na. Hehehe :) Wala na kasing time to enjoy them.

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    1. Are we talking of the same show ba? hehe..

      The Avatar series aired 2005-2008. Meron atang TV reruns sa ilang TV channels, not sure. Pero I have copies of the episodes, kaya pwede ko syang panoorin anytime. :)

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  3. Super fan ka ng Avatar. Me I only watch it during my free day huhu.... YOur review and opinion are extensive..

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    1. It's really obvious. XD I don't watch them everyday. hehe.. Sobra naman kung araw-arawin. During my free time din.. or kapag feel ko syang panoorin. I have copies of the Season episodes naman.. :)

      Thank you..

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  4. talagang di mo siya nagustuhan.Kung iisipin mo sa laki ng project na ito bago ito nabuo maraming mga paguusap at desisyong ginawa sa project na ito.Sinadya talaga ibahin ang takbo ng kwento at mga character kung bakit yan minsan di natin maipaliwanag.Sayang.

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    1. Hindi po talaga, Kuya. :(

      The movie was made for $150 million. Medyo nag expect po ako na sa ganung amount, maganda ang plot ng movie. Maganda ang lines, maganda ang acting. Very frustrating lang.. Kasi series po ito.. 3 seasons. Merong mga importanteng detalye na talagang sinadyang alisin.. hindi isinama sa story. Pero kung iisipin, kelangan syang maintroduce sa book1 kasi hindi mo maintindihan sa books 2 and 3 (sa next movies, kung meron man) kung saan nanggaling ang karakter..

      Ayun sa IMDB, sinadya nga po ang mga changes, Kuya.. Wrong move.

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  5. watched this film and you're absolutely right, nakakadisappoint yung movie.

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    1. Nakakalungkot lang na parang sinira ni Shyamalan ang name ng series.. :(

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  6. This is testament to M. Knight using Avatar as a baby-sitter. Shame on him!

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    1. Yes. Shame on him for tainting the name of such a magnificent series.

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  7. got no chance of watching the series on television, so I borrowed the whole series in DVD from a friend... at pinagpuyatan ko talaga... ang hirap tumigil sa panonood kahit tumitilaok na manok sa umaga... You're right... me too, I was disappointed sa movie.

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    1. Haha.. ganun din po ginawa ko. From the first episode up to the last one, walang tigil ang pagpanood ko ng series.. Tinapos ko din talagang panoorin, kahit na inumaga. XD

      Sadly, the movie was.. ugh. :(

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  8. I'm a huge fan of the series, and you're making me want to watch it again, but I never did, and probably never will, watch the movie. I've heard nothing but bad things about it, and I just don't want to subject myself to that. However, rewatching the series isn't out of the question :) It had some amazing moments. Also as far as I know the spin-off/sequel is based on the adventures of Aang/Katara's daughter, or something like that. I thought it was already out really.

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    1. Watch it again! XD

      It's a good thing that you didn't watch and have no plans of watching the movie. It'll be a complete waste of time and money.

      The Legend of Korra was supposed to be released, October of 2011, but it was delayed due to some additional changes in the episodes.. That's what Wiki says.. The series is set to air in Spring 2012 on Nickelodeon. :)

      Delete
  9. not really a fan. nkakapagwatch lng ako kpag im wid my kuya. xia tlgang fan nang avatar...^_^

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    1. Hehe. Ayos lang.. NOt a fan, pero im sure nae-enjoy mo din ang series. Right? hihi..

      Your brother has excellent taste, then. hehe.. XD

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  10. Movies rarely hit the mark. It's really sad. I hope someone spends 200 million dollars to make a good DBZ movie. Won't ever happen...

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    1. The movie Dragonball Evolution also received negative reviews and received a low 3.1 rating on IMDB.. and Dragonball was and will always be an amazing anime. It's a sad thing that some people take something great and turn it into crap.. :(

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  11. wala kaming nickolodean na english I think Indonesia lang so I am more hook up to Disney ch and CN

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    1. The series aired 2005-2008 po.. Old cartoon na to, pero it never loses its charm. I'm not sure kung merong reruns sa Nick ngayon..

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  12. I'm a huge fan of the series!!!! I swear! haha

    and I agree, about the reviews of the movie, i thought it was going to be great, but heck it was such a disappointment! Same comments din ako, about the characters itself, the bending, and even the fire benders, ang hi2na as in!!!!!

    hai ewan badtrip pa rin ako sa movie na yan! hahaha

    sana nga magkaroon ng continuation yung series, hai grabe wala na akong ki2la2nin habang nanu2od nun, hinding hindi ko papalampasin yun swear!!!

    hai ang habe ng comment ko, palibasa super huge fanatic ako nung series! hahaha

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    1. Hahahaha.. BIG fans! Yey! XD

      Nakakabadtrip lang talaga kasi ang taas ng expectation ko. The series is amazing, I expected the movie to do good, if not great. Dapat pala sana, hindi na lang ako nagexpect. Kung meron mang maging 2nd or 3rd movies, sana ibang director na lang.. I recommend Christopher Nolan.. and if possible, cast different actors.

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  13. Not a fan but my little boy cousins are. They are so engrossed with Nickelodeon's Avatar :)

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  14. This is something my daughter will love. Thanks for the review at least I know a lot about this from you before I mention this to my daughter.:)

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    1. Hehe.. Though I did point out some incredible points about the series, the review is really about the MOVIE. lol..

      Anyway.. yes, you should recommend the series to your daughter. I'd bet she will enjoy watching it. :)

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  15. Actually, when I saw the movie, I was soooooooo disappointed. Wala akong pinalampas na episode sa anime version e, tapos ganun lang sa movie. Kung ipapa-rate sa'kin yung movie from 1-10? I'll give them a 3 :(

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    1. Hah! Swerte pa nga pala sayo, kasi naka 3stars pa ang rating. Sa akin, it's a 1. :(

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  16. Love avatar, although yu g movie was really disappointing!

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  17. Hey I watched Avatar when I was a kid. Well, I still feed like a kid. Ayaw ko lang kasi minsan sa mga anime series/books/comics turned movies is that the movie producers tend to ruin the good stuff for us. If you know what I mean.

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    1. True. Though to some movie adaptations of books, bumebenta sya.. (Harry Potter, Narnia, LOTR, Twilight, etc..) Siguro depende na rin sa screenplay, sa casting and the production. Nakakalungkot lang talaga yung sa cartoon/anime turned movies kasi madalas, flop sya.

      Streetfighter was ok. Dragonball Evolution was bad.. and then this. So sad.. :(

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  18. i also loOoove Nickelodeon's Avatar! I watched the movie too and was sooOoo disappointed! Ugh.

    >_<

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  19. thanks for the information..i didn't get the movie Avatar.. so I didn't know why they say that the movie sucked..

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    1. Uhm, if you have read the entire post, I have stated some reasons why the movie sucked. Still, it's better to watch the series and the movie, and find out for yourself. :)

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  20. I couldn't finish the movie. It was nothing near as amazing as the cartoon :(

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    1. Nagwalk out po kayo? hehe.. Ako, gusto ko rin sana nung pinanood ko to.. kaso meron akong mga kasama. Awts.. It was torture.

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  21. I watched a few episodes of Avatar the animated series and I was quite impressed. Nung naipalabas yung film adaptation, medyo maraming napangitan kaya di ko na rin pinanood. hehe

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    1. Haha.. Great move. Wag mo na lang panoorin. hehe.. Or maybe, panoorin mo lahat ng episodes, then yung movie.. para magawan mo ng review. Torture nga lang. lol

      Delete
  22. i am also an avid fan of the series i even downloaded all the videos of all the seasons.and I was really disappointed with the movie. ang pangit. haistt

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  23. di ko na gusto avatar.. ;( just kind'a disappointed lang..

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  24. The nickelodeon cartoon of Avatar is definitely worth watching unlike that crap of a movie M. Night created. I really hope they remake the movie

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    1. I think it would be great if they make another Avatar movie. This time, different director, different screenplay, different actors! Here's to hoping... :)

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  25. It's like the movies Avatar and The Last Airbender combined into one. Not a chance to watch this series so I can't relate that much.

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  26. I liked the anime more than the live action adaptation.

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  27. I've seen the movie but not really a fan of the cartoon series. I enjoyed the movie though. It's not something I expected but okay na.. I'm not sure if they will make a sequel.

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  28. I have once watched an episode of Avatar but sad to say didn't get the chance again as my daughter is more on Disney Channel programs. Tnx for the share! Lovely post you got here! Thumbs up! :)

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  29. i used to watch this & really waited for the film version

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  30. I just love that cartoon series too so when I get to see the movie I was disappointed too cause I thought they will show the whole story but they didn't. ma mabuti pa ang cartoon kumpleto ang story.

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  31. I've watched a few episodes of the cartoon version and watched the movie also, I enjoyed them both but maybe my opinion will change if I watch the cartoon more

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  32. The movie was so-so for me. I haven't gotten the chance of catching an ep of the series though. But it seems really nice, most def my sister will love this once I show this to her :)

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  33. ayoko kay aang. ahahah. ewan ko... medyo irritating sya minsan.

    Pero gusto ko yung avatar na cartoons. bending bending!!!

    Water benders!!!! :D

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  34. I so love this show!! I love Zuko!!! and Iroh! lol It was one of my favorite childhood cartoons. I read about the Legend of Korra and I think it looks a bit serious than the previous avatar. Haven't seen the movie cos I've heard a lot of negative reviews from the fans. I am so excited to si Toph in this new series. She's really a tough one - Metal Bender!! I so can't wait for this!

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  35. yeah the movie is a disappointment. as in super.

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  36. Hi Leah, I really liked your review and actually, I agree with you on the premise. Maybe the idea of trying to translate a highly successful tv series onto the big screen was a setup for disappointment itself. It is such a great show with good characters, a strong narrative and appealing to all ages. As close to perfection as it can be :) And while I don't doubt M. Night's motives in wanting to create a great movie with the material, I think it didn't work out..

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  37. My girls have been watching Avatar from time to time since we moved here in the Netherlands three years. It's in Dutch, so it's a bit difficult for me to follow, as much as the girls tried to explain the plot, I had to Google to fully understand it. Although at the same time I must say, it's one good way to improve Dutch - through watching animated series.

    Thanks for making me aware of M. Night's making it into a film. I admire most of his works, and I am curious to know how he interpreted it.

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  38. inis ako sa cartoon na yan... di ko kasi matapos tapos e... ehehehhe.. sobrang adik ako dyan... huwaaaaa..... ayaw ko yung movie.... parang dry siya.... although it was an adventure movie... pero ang mga figting scene napaka dry.... eheheh... pero maganda ang effects niyan..... I am so into Avatar.... huwaaaaaaa

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  39. i love avatar.. woot.. especially that blind girl.. with the earth bending talents.. truely great.. I am, currently reading about korra.. it looks interesting but I do not like the setting ahahaha.. well there have been rumors if korra is the real reincarnated avatar or not or is it the guy.. nevertheless it is truely worth watching the series..

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