The animated television series “Avatar: The Last Airbender” transitions to the big screen after airing for three seasons on television courtesy of Nickelodeon and the Nicktoons Network. Writer-director M. Night Shyamalan works triple time as writer, producer, and director for the film. However, he fails miserably as the product is a total bore. The story came out terribly. What was supposedly an entertaining film for kids turned out to be soulless and cold.
The film follows the story of 12 year-old Aang (Noah Ringer) who is really 112 years old in real life. Apparently, he is the latest incarnation of the legendary Avatar the world had been waiting for. His position makes him capable of bending the four elements but he’s only learned to bend air so far. He strives to learn from the masters how to bend the other elements: water, earth, and fire. Tasked with the obligation to maintain and balance the world, Aang faces great pressure to learn fast. Not too happy with his role, he decides to run away.
The focus of the film is the action scenes which are expected from the animation. However, the fights lack energy as well as magic. Even the use of the 3D version came out badly. It feels like watching a 3D film with broken glasses on.
Probably, the only thing Shyamalan got right was the decision to drop the word “Avatar” from the title. Aside from that, he failed to live up to the challenge.
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