Leave it to Hollywood to screw anime, no matter Japan or US. If you haven't watch Avatar, it's kind of big deal in US, like the best animation or TV show, basically Nickelodeon version of FMA: Brotherhood. I don't watch it often, but when I do, it's brimming with humor, wit and sense of epic rarely seen in children show. In fact the humor is fresh and mature, it's not without flaws but it's engaging. I don't watch full season but I can say that it's probably best animation from US.
But when you see the movie, ugh it's terrible.. The story just detaches from emotion, humor and barely has any decent acting. The flashy CG doesn't work, albeit there are some good moments, but they can't save this movie from oblivion. The acting first, man.. It sucks so bad, aside from cosmetic and minor resemblances, the chars are anything but their anime counterpart. I don't want to specify one by one, they all suck, but the worst is Aang (which is spelled wrong, the main character name SPELLED WRONG).
Aang in animation is lively, cheerful and playful. Aang in movie is emo, sad and confused. Every time he got close-up, I facepalmed. Almost every shot of him pictured him gasping, eyes widen and just confuse.. No ounce of charisma.. Why didn't they cast Asian boy for him, for the entire cast even, is beyond me.. Rasist!!!! (joke) The bit of salvation comes in form of Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire) he put such conviction in his character that it's quiet believable especially when he tells his childhood story. But with such abysmal script it just becomes slightly decent, way off from his role in Slumdog.
This is facepalm.
Then the script and directing.. oghhh.. I can't believe this is the guy who did Sixth Sense, M.Night Shm.. Shymah... whatever.. It's bad, bloody atrocious "quote Simon Cowell bad comments for one season of Idol".. The script feels rush.. Soka falls in love with some princess, that's it, no scene, just rushes to make a point. No impact, not relateable at all. The CG is not spectacular, it's watchable but far from good.
The fight scene has some similarity to original version, there's martial art aspect to it. But maybe some adjustment is needed, scratch the maybe, it must. It works in cartoon, but to see the actors do martial art routines for every bending is tiresome and unrealistic. There is no sense of realism and danger, even Inception and Bourne can do miles better without CG. If I see my enemies do 5-10 seconds dance to summon fireball or some shit, I'll spear them, not just stand around and oohhh ahhhh..
If your friend, girlfriend, family ask you or some stranger point a gun at your face, I understand if you have to watch it. But NEVER EVER watch it in 3D, I thought it'd cover the suckiness, but noo.. The only thing 3D is preview of other movies at beginning and the subtitle.. Yeah the letters are coming out to your face, superb!!. I think it's even worse with 3D, the black drab background is enhanced more and without those stupid glasses, the image is awful. I really though mine were broken..
The only things I got from this are sore eyes, headache, back pain, twice almost vomit, thrice almost asleep, my cough returned and I lost some faith in humanity. Next time you want to watch new movie, please visit these site:
1. http://movies.ign.com/
It has three reviews from US, UK and AUS. Quiet dependable and trustworthy.
2. http://www.rottentomatoes.com/
If you have more time, view this one. It's compilation of dozens or even over 100 professional reviews. It can't go wrong.
I disregarded it and met such sad fate... Spread the word to everyone you know.
It says it all
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