Sometimes it's good to get off cloud nine and eat a slice of humble pie.
---
It goes without saying that I'm unbelievably excited for "The Last Airbender" to premiere tomorrow at midnight. But, as per the norm, movie adaptations of already popular shows tend to receive lukewarm to cold reviews from fans and non fans alike. With this in mind, I will be writing a list of all the reasons this film may be bad.
Within the past few weeks, I've grown more and more excited with the release of new TV spots, interviews and press photos. All of this has made my excitement meter sky rocket off the charts. I'm to the point where if I even get talking about it I become highly restless and borderline Foamy.
This list will help me preserve my shadow of doubt about this movie, and will help me keep my heart from getting broken if it's awful. Here's to hoping!
---
1. Racebending. Deep down, I really would not mind if Katara and Sokka were tanned like they were in the cartoon, and if the rest of the cast maintained the originally cultural implications designated by the cartoon.
2. Noah Ringer as Aang. Yeah, he's a karate champion but that doesn't mean he can act. I'm sure he got coaching, but frankly, leaving an inexperienced kid to carry the weight of an action film is a bit risky.
3. M. Night Shymalan's bad rep. For someone that puts out as many good movies as he does bad, I'm not sure if he can handle the epic awesome greatness that is this franchise. I've always had hope, but I don't know. He might fail. Especially since he's never really directed an action film before.
4. The length. This movie is barely under two hours. There's so much story in the first season of Avatar, since it main serves as an exposition to the plot. How can that much story be told in such a short span? This movie could easily be two and a half hours and still not have everything important covered.
5. New name pronunciations. Who is they Ee-roh? And who are you calling Soh-kuh? And what about Ahng? What's that? Ahng is the Ahvahtar? Weird!
6. Dev Patel as Zuko. Yeah, he's got the acting chops but I wanted my Zuko to be a lot more sexy!
7. Iroh's lack of fat. I miss my robust, sagely Uncle Iroh. And what's with the dread locks?
8. Seeing Ozai's face so quick in the game. He's THE bad guy! We're not even supposed to see most of Ozai-Mania until the third season (AKA the third movie).
9. No Koh. How disappointing. A live action Koh would've been the coolest thing ever. CGI and over the top face stealer? I'm there! Unfortunately, he will not be making an appearance.
10. No Chief Arnook. Apparently, Yue can run the tribe all by her white haired self.
--
Well, that's about it. And some of those reasons I had to really stretch on because they're some changes I'm looking forward to and/or interested in seeing them pulled off.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
7 A:TLA Episodes To Watch Before Hits Theaters in 4 Days!
Installment One
Installment Two
Installment Three
---
Day Four! Episode Four!
1:12 - The Storm
Okay, so, I goofed, and accidentally did the Blue Spirit yesterday when I was supposed to do this one. Oops.
So I'm writing about it now! Ha. Don't worry about it seeming out of place or anything plot wise, it's mainly a flashback episode so there's not much relevance to the current story.
Anyway, you can't get much back story than what this episode has to offer. It oozes character motivation building plots as well as some serious history that explains who the characters are and why they do what they do. It's also so great because it shows a contrast between the main hero (Aang) and the main villain (Zuko), and also highlights a lot of similarities between the two.
The Storm accomplishes a lot of what the Zuko prequel manga does for the movie, but doesn't quite dig as deep. But it's still a fantastically done episode.
And, with out spoiling too much, I will go ahead and say I love this episode a lot mainly because it is the very first glimpse ever of Princess Azula. And I'm not kidding, it seriously is a glimpse.
---
[No screen shot comparisons for this one, folks. Sorry.]
Installment Two
Installment Three
---
Day Four! Episode Four!
1:12 - The Storm
Okay, so, I goofed, and accidentally did the Blue Spirit yesterday when I was supposed to do this one. Oops.
So I'm writing about it now! Ha. Don't worry about it seeming out of place or anything plot wise, it's mainly a flashback episode so there's not much relevance to the current story.
Anyway, you can't get much back story than what this episode has to offer. It oozes character motivation building plots as well as some serious history that explains who the characters are and why they do what they do. It's also so great because it shows a contrast between the main hero (Aang) and the main villain (Zuko), and also highlights a lot of similarities between the two.
The Storm accomplishes a lot of what the Zuko prequel manga does for the movie, but doesn't quite dig as deep. But it's still a fantastically done episode.
And, with out spoiling too much, I will go ahead and say I love this episode a lot mainly because it is the very first glimpse ever of Princess Azula. And I'm not kidding, it seriously is a glimpse.
---
[No screen shot comparisons for this one, folks. Sorry.]
Saturday, June 26, 2010
7 A:TLA Episodes To Watch Before TLA Hits Theaters in 5 Days!
Installment One
Installment Two
---
Day Five! Episode Three!
1:13 - The Blue Spirit
Okay, sure, this is a bit of a jump. From episode two to episode thirteen. But picking seven episodes that matter out of twenty that matter! (Except for maybe The Great Divide...)
I'm going to go ahead and say this now: WARNING! THE EPISODE "THE BLUE SPIRIT" CONTAINS A SUPER MOVIE SPOILER. If you have not seen the series and desire to remain innocent and untainted, please, don't watch this episode.
But other than that, the Blue Spirit provides an insightful view of duty and drive and fleshes out motivation for the main cast. It's an action packed episode with some of the best fight sequences in the series. It's story, while a bit flat in the b plot, thrives in it's a plot and gives the audience an intense look at some serious butt kicking action.
The translation of this episode to the big screen will most likely be one of the most pure transitions. Viewers of the original episode's story line can easily expect Shymalan's rendition to be as good, if not better, than the first.
Fun fact: This episode is so amazing because the show was originally picked up for 13 episodes. The creators, unaware of the show's fate, decided that the thirteenth episode had to be mind blowing just in case it was their last. I can undoubtedly say that they succeeded.
Not sure if you agree? Go ahead and take a gander at "The Blue Spirit"!
Installment Two
---
Day Five! Episode Three!
1:13 - The Blue Spirit
Okay, sure, this is a bit of a jump. From episode two to episode thirteen. But picking seven episodes that matter out of twenty that matter! (Except for maybe The Great Divide...)
I'm going to go ahead and say this now: WARNING! THE EPISODE "THE BLUE SPIRIT" CONTAINS A SUPER MOVIE SPOILER. If you have not seen the series and desire to remain innocent and untainted, please, don't watch this episode.
But other than that, the Blue Spirit provides an insightful view of duty and drive and fleshes out motivation for the main cast. It's an action packed episode with some of the best fight sequences in the series. It's story, while a bit flat in the b plot, thrives in it's a plot and gives the audience an intense look at some serious butt kicking action.
The translation of this episode to the big screen will most likely be one of the most pure transitions. Viewers of the original episode's story line can easily expect Shymalan's rendition to be as good, if not better, than the first.
Fun fact: This episode is so amazing because the show was originally picked up for 13 episodes. The creators, unaware of the show's fate, decided that the thirteenth episode had to be mind blowing just in case it was their last. I can undoubtedly say that they succeeded.
Not sure if you agree? Go ahead and take a gander at "The Blue Spirit"!
Friday, June 25, 2010
7 A:TLA Episodes To Watch Before TLA Hits Theaters in 6 Days!
Installment One
---
Day Six! Episode Two!
1:02 - The Avatar Returns
So if the first episode of the series was crucial to know, then it pretty much goes without saying that second episode would be too (since they aired as a one hour premiere).
"The Avatar Returns" embodies the most essential elements of the show. It also presents the situation that can be considered step one of the monomyth theory (i.e. Step One - The Call to Adventure). It ties together the destinies of Aang, Katara and Sokka and gives them a goal that lasts for the entire season: go to the Northern Water Tribe and learn how to waterbend. Can't get more basic than that, huh?
I'll stop talking and let you get to watching!
---
---
Day Six! Episode Two!
1:02 - The Avatar Returns
So if the first episode of the series was crucial to know, then it pretty much goes without saying that second episode would be too (since they aired as a one hour premiere).
"The Avatar Returns" embodies the most essential elements of the show. It also presents the situation that can be considered step one of the monomyth theory (i.e. Step One - The Call to Adventure). It ties together the destinies of Aang, Katara and Sokka and gives them a goal that lasts for the entire season: go to the Northern Water Tribe and learn how to waterbend. Can't get more basic than that, huh?
I'll stop talking and let you get to watching!
---
Thursday, June 24, 2010
7 A:TLA Episodes To Watch Before TLA Hits Theaters in 7 Days!
As if the title did not say it all...
---
Greetings!
With just a week (yes, only a week!) to go, it's time that people understand what's what about the Last Airbender. Because, you know, watching the show previous to this week was not an option.
Moving on...
Seven episodes! Seven days! I bet you can see where this is going, can't you?
I've selected seven episodes from Book One: Water that I think a) may be crucial plot points in this movie or b) capture the spirit of Avatar or c) help people fall in love with the show or d) help newbies understand why M. Night Shymalamadingdong wanted to make this into a movie in the first place.
So with out further adieu...
---
Day Seven! Episode One!
1:01 - "The Boy in the Iceberg"
It pretty much goes without saying that you need to see this episode if you're interested in Avatar. It sets up the show because, well, it's the first episode. It introduces our main cast that we will, hopefully, be following throughout the entire movie trilogy.
It gives you a taste of the vibe the show has to offer, as well as the type of story you can expect. I defy anyone to watch this episode and not be interested to see more.
But what's all this talk good for? Go forth! Rent it! YouTube it! Whatever! Watch "The Boy and the Iceburg" today!
---
Greetings!
With just a week (yes, only a week!) to go, it's time that people understand what's what about the Last Airbender. Because, you know, watching the show previous to this week was not an option.
Moving on...
Seven episodes! Seven days! I bet you can see where this is going, can't you?
I've selected seven episodes from Book One: Water that I think a) may be crucial plot points in this movie or b) capture the spirit of Avatar or c) help people fall in love with the show or d) help newbies understand why M. Night Shymalamadingdong wanted to make this into a movie in the first place.
So with out further adieu...
---
Day Seven! Episode One!
1:01 - "The Boy in the Iceberg"
It pretty much goes without saying that you need to see this episode if you're interested in Avatar. It sets up the show because, well, it's the first episode. It introduces our main cast that we will, hopefully, be following throughout the entire movie trilogy.
It gives you a taste of the vibe the show has to offer, as well as the type of story you can expect. I defy anyone to watch this episode and not be interested to see more.
But what's all this talk good for? Go forth! Rent it! YouTube it! Whatever! Watch "The Boy and the Iceburg" today!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Two Years Two Weeks
I was sitting in my Multimedia class my junior year of high school. I had some free time, so I was perusing some Avatar: The Last Airbender fansites and stumbled across the press release that announced that M. Night Shymalan would be directing a live action movie based on the Nickelodeon hit show "Avatar: The Last Airbender".
From that point on, I've followed the journey through it's highest and lowest points. I've eagerly awaited casting announcements, script leaks, trailers and any other small droplet of anything to do with the movie. In all honestly, I feel that I've just been killing time since that faithful day and that July 2nd is going to be the first day of the rest of my life.
Yeah, that's pretty ridiculous. But hey, I'm more excited for this movie than I have ever been for any Christmas or birthday. It's been two years! Try waiting for your birthday for two years with the knowledge that you'll receive a truly awesome gift.
There are still a lot of doubts about this movie. Because, hey, this movie has as much going for it as it has against it. As excited as I am, I'm trying to stay realistic and realize that this could be a pretty bad movie. But alas, time will tell. And by time, I mean fifteen days.
Which, frankly, I still can't wrap my head around. Two weeks plus a day. Two years to two weeks. Holy cow!
Well, while I'm here, and on the subject (and by subject, I mean Avatar HUR HUR) I might as well introduce my review system for the film. Because, yes, I have thought about an entire system to help me review the movie to the best of my ability.
The movie will be graded as follows:
Loyalty - How close is it to the source material (e.g. the show)? Are the changes necessary and/or justified? Will fans of the original show generally find it likeable?
Acting - Did they deliver a believable performance? Is there a clear understanding of the character and his or her motivation?
Atmosphere - Are the sets and locations true to the original source material? Do they incapsulate the spirit of each respective nation? Do they provide a realistic setting for the characters to interact in?
Special Effects - Are the bending effects believable? Are the creatures animated to seem canon to the world around them? How do the pure CG effects interact with the real physical elements?
Each category will be worth ten points, giving the movie an overall score of forty points possible. I will not only grade it like this after the first time I see it, but I will reevaluate it once more after my third or fourth time seeing it. So you'll be getting my first impression as well as more analytical approach. Because I'm cool like that.
That's all for now. Over and out!
From that point on, I've followed the journey through it's highest and lowest points. I've eagerly awaited casting announcements, script leaks, trailers and any other small droplet of anything to do with the movie. In all honestly, I feel that I've just been killing time since that faithful day and that July 2nd is going to be the first day of the rest of my life.
Yeah, that's pretty ridiculous. But hey, I'm more excited for this movie than I have ever been for any Christmas or birthday. It's been two years! Try waiting for your birthday for two years with the knowledge that you'll receive a truly awesome gift.
There are still a lot of doubts about this movie. Because, hey, this movie has as much going for it as it has against it. As excited as I am, I'm trying to stay realistic and realize that this could be a pretty bad movie. But alas, time will tell. And by time, I mean fifteen days.
Which, frankly, I still can't wrap my head around. Two weeks plus a day. Two years to two weeks. Holy cow!
Well, while I'm here, and on the subject (and by subject, I mean Avatar HUR HUR) I might as well introduce my review system for the film. Because, yes, I have thought about an entire system to help me review the movie to the best of my ability.
The movie will be graded as follows:
Loyalty - How close is it to the source material (e.g. the show)? Are the changes necessary and/or justified? Will fans of the original show generally find it likeable?
Acting - Did they deliver a believable performance? Is there a clear understanding of the character and his or her motivation?
Atmosphere - Are the sets and locations true to the original source material? Do they incapsulate the spirit of each respective nation? Do they provide a realistic setting for the characters to interact in?
Special Effects - Are the bending effects believable? Are the creatures animated to seem canon to the world around them? How do the pure CG effects interact with the real physical elements?
Each category will be worth ten points, giving the movie an overall score of forty points possible. I will not only grade it like this after the first time I see it, but I will reevaluate it once more after my third or fourth time seeing it. So you'll be getting my first impression as well as more analytical approach. Because I'm cool like that.
That's all for now. Over and out!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
