The Last Airbender

[sharkgirl]

So after all my persistence with the tickets I didn't think it was too bad either, however, the little boy monk avatar chap wasn't up to much and I kept thinking back about how good Jaden Smith's acting was in Karate Kid as a direct comparison, but it was a pleasant enough morning. That said I've got to say I was a bit worried when I remembered towards the end of the movie it was Book One and that Book Two was about to follow immediately and was mightily relieved when it didn't, so 4/10 and Sourcerers Apprentice was a much better movie for me I'm afraid.

[pcRock]

Saw this today in Covent Garden. My bf and I arrived 25 min before the film started to be on the safe side. This was proven to be unnecessary: there were many empty seats at the start of the movie.

Anyway, I was annoyed when I realised the film was in 3D. On top of that, the 3D didn't add anything to the film, I thought. Some of the acting wasn't that great either, but otherwise I enjoyed the movie and was surprised that it has such bad reviews. 7/10 from me and 8/10 from my bf (who liked it a lot and would like to watch a sequel).

[kevinknapman]

Saw this at the Odeon Covent Garden earlier.
I have to admit I had prepared myself for a turkey of epic proportions after reading the US reviews. If only that had been the case. If only The Last Airbender had turned out to be a camp classic of the so-bad-it's-good variety. That would at least be something. I mean any film that has the line "when you were young we knew you’d grow up to be a bender" has got to be worth a few giggles surely. Sadly not.
Instead this is quite possibly the most boring fantasy adventure movie I've seen in a long time. A movie so inert and lifeless, that not even a 3D conversion can give this any depth. The story is dull, the characters duller and neither are helped by a dire script. A script packed full of clunky exposition. This probably wouldn't be so bad if the action were any good, but it's not. Rarely exciting, lacking any sense of danger or urgency, it just limps along, sluggish, poorly directed and edited. Some of the special effects are okay but nothing special.
The actors for the most part do their best with bad material. The kids in particular weren't as bad as I expected, just a little stilted and wooden. Dev Patel probably comes out best but even he is stuck with a role that is more sulky emo teen than evil bad guy. The usually dependable Cliff Curtis however is completely wasted and has nothing to do. The worst acting however comes from Daily Show regular Aasif Mandvi as Commander Zhao which is the worst piece of bad guy casting I've seen in a long time. If anyone is familar with Mandvi from the Daily Show, just imagine him saying his lines in the exact same way he does on TV. The least threatening bad guy in a while.
Overall then not the worst film ever made, not even M Night Shyamalan's worst film (which is still The Happening) just an incredibly boring mess with pointless ineffective 3D, that feels twice it's, admittedly, short running time. The last scene is a set-up for the sequel. For the love of god, please don't let that happen.

[Nicers]

I quite enjoyed it. Don't really see why it was in 3D, but I loved the scenery and water/fire scenes... I just took it as an easy watching fantasy film, ideal for a Sunday morning viewing before a little shopping!!

[valda]

I saw it at Whitely's and was surprised not to be asked for ID, they usually always ask!

I didn't think the film was that bad. I found the kids and the kids accents really annoying, it just didn't suit that sort of movie to have LA accents. They weren't very good actors either. The scenery was fabulous and I agree that they didn't need to tack on the 3D after the film was made. The studios are determined that 3D is the saviour of cinema. Me, I hate it, give me 2d anytime.
7/10

[Diane65]

Watched this at the Trafford Centre this morning just thought it was OK, the scenery was very nice. 5/10
Took Moaning Man (OH) with me this morning and true to form he moaned all the way through 0/10

[Spanner]

oh I forgot to mention that as were were VERY late - we got there just as the film started. I sent boyf and sadsack1 off to find seats whilst myself and sadsack2 popped to the loo first but when we got in the screening it was too dark to see where they were so we just plonked ourselves down on any old seat. We spotted them outside once the film had finished and I forgot that I'd given sadsack1 my bag to take in for me, so he came rushing towards me. very flustered and bright red holding out my handbag like it was a lump of poo or something, so being the kind and loving mother that I am, I shouted 'I always knew you were the last bender' oh how we laughed- well myself and the ushers did anyway.

[sonia]

Saw this in guildford this morning..got there really early but didnt need to.Cinema was barely half full.Would give this film maybe a 5 out of 10.The boy who played the avatar didnt seem right for the part.

[big_bad_wolf]

Saw this at Southampton in a half filled cinema which was a shame. As for the film the family and i enjoyed it and will look forward to the sequel.

[jmbblue]

Saw this at the Metrocentre and was almost empty - turned up early as usual but there was no need.

Whilst waiting for the movie to start had to listen to a man behind reading every poor review from tinternet REALLY loadly which got my son (huge fan of the animated series) on the defensive.

He loved it -as it was true to the series -however I felt it was too slow - acting pretty pants - not much feeling - it was like a made for TV movie but with better graphics/setting - not 3D though.

All in all though - it is aimed at kids, it was free....Sam gave it 8/10 Me 4/10