The Last Airbender Full Trailer

[Christopher]

I'm not. Avatar is a kids cartoon.

So? Just because a story is designed to be accessible to kids doesn't mean it can't be brilliant and compelling for adults.

Please point out where exactly I said that this isn't the case. I merely pointed out its limited appeal to a larger audience.

How is that not the same thing? Adults are a larger audience than kids. Your implication was that the fact that it was a "kids' show" automatically made it impossible that you might find it enjoyable. I'm telling you that you're missing out on something brilliant because of an illogical prejudice.

It was also one of the best shows, period, of the past decade.

I find that very hard to believe.

And there's no logical reason why you should. Again, why this assumption that anything meant for children must be of inferior quality? That's a disturbing notion -- that children don't deserve good things, that people would do a sloppy or inferior job when it comes to making things for children. Wouldn't any decent society strive to give its children the very best?

Not to mention that no "kids' show" is ever made exclusively with kids in mind. The people who make those shows are adults, and they try to make the shows enjoyable for themselves, so that they will enjoy their work. They also know that the kids' parents may (and ideally should) be watching the show along with the kids. So it's completely naive to assume that a show aimed at kids isn't aimed at adults too. All the great kids' shows have adult appeal, material that goes over the kids' heads but is there for the enjoyment of the adult viewer and the adults who create the show.

That "kids' show" was a thousand times smarter, funnier, more poignant, and more imaginative than any of the sleazy reality shows or grossout comedy films that are allegedly "for adults." It's the freshest fantasy world I've seen anywhere in mass-media fiction in ages, it's populated by richly drawn characters, it has complex and compelling storylines and themes -- it's more than smart enough for adults, even if it doesn't have blood and sex and four-letter words.

So I guess you'll be going to see it then? [/QUOTE]

I was talking about the animated series. I have no idea whether the feature film will be of equal worth; in fact, I profoundly doubt it will be. I was trying to inspire you to see the show, to open your mind to the possibilities you're cheating yourself out of because of an irrational prejudice. But you clearly aren't willing to broaden your horizons, and that's sad. The loss is yours.

 

[Scotty]

So? Just because a story is designed to be accessible to kids doesn't mean it can't be brilliant and compelling for adults.

Please point out where exactly I said that this isn't the case. I merely pointed out its limited appeal to a larger audience.

How is that not the same thing?

It just is. Only children and fans of fantasy or anime will watch this. And people unfamiliar with the show will only watch it if they are impressed by this trailer. I doubt they will. I for one wasn't.

I was talking about the animated series. I have no idea whether the feature film will be of equal worth; in fact, I profoundly doubt it will be. I was trying to inspire you to see the show, to open your mind to the possibilities you're cheating yourself out of because of an irrational prejudice. But you clearly aren't willing to broaden your horizons, and that's sad. The loss is yours.

My horizons are pretty broad. And it has nothing to do with any prejudice against children's programming. I am just not fond of anime. Also, is it inconceivable to you I'm just not interested in the show because of its premise? There are a lot of good television shows on at the moment. I can't watch them all. I have to choose. I chose not to watch Avatar. And I honestly believe I haven't missed all that much.

 

[Christopher]

And it has nothing to do with any prejudice against children's programming. I am just not fond of anime.

Avatar: The Last Airbender is not anime. It's an American show, created by a couple of guys named DiMartino and Konietzko and produced by the Nickelodeon network. It's influenced by many aspects of Asian culture, including the films of Hayao Miyazaki, but it's still an American animated show.

Also, is it inconceivable to you I'm just not interested in the show because of its premise?

I can't read your mind, only your words. What you wrote was that you weren't interested because it was "a kids [sic] cartoon." If what you meant was that you weren't interested because of its premise, you should've said that instead.

 

[Hunter X]

My horizons are pretty broad. And it has nothing to do with any prejudice against children's programming. I am just not fond of anime. Also, is it inconceivable to you I'm just not interested in the show because of its premise? There are a lot of good television shows on at the moment. I can't watch them all. I have to choose. I chose not to watch Avatar. And I honestly believe I haven't missed all that much.

If it helps, I'm not a big fan of anime either. I like some of Myazaki's stuff, like Spirited Away, but that's about it. That said, I watched Avatar and it really is one of the best shows of the past decade. It's also a reasonably quick watch, since the episodes are generally about twenty minutes long and it's made up of three seasons of twenty episodes each. The only catching point is the humour. Sometimes it's just insanely clever. Sometimes it may feel a little too silly for some.

As for the movie...I'm not all that optimistic. It just seems so dark and dour. To have Avatar without the lightness and humour is like having Lord of the Rings with a bunch of angry emo hobbits living in the Shire. It misses the tone, and in the end, the spirit of the original.

 

[Scotty]

I can't read your mind, only your words. What you wrote was that you weren't interested because it was "a kids [sic] cartoon." If what you meant was that you weren't interested because of its premise, you should've said that instead.

You can't read my mind, but clearly don't read my posts either. Where in this entire discussion did I say that I do not watch Avatar because it is a kids show? That was your assumption. YOU could've asked me why I didn't watch it instead of jumping to conclusions.

 

[Christopher]

Okay, mea culpa... I did misread. When you said:

I'm not. Avatar is a kids cartoon.

I thought you were saying "I'm not interested." On more careful examination, I see you were saying "I'm not surprised no one has posted the trailer yet."

However, even in that case, I still don't think your point is valid. Plenty of "kids' cartoons" get discussed in this forum, not to mention movies based on them. You're still taking a dismissive attitude toward this franchise that simply isn't warranted.

 

[Elemental]

M. Night Shyamalan is my favourite writer/director so I'm looking forward to this movie. My first hesitancy on learning that this would be his next movie was not so much that it was based on a "kid's show" but moreso that it wasn't a completely original work. I think most of Shyamalan's movies are extremely unique and I was worried that basing the movie on a story that someone else has already constructed would lose some of the originality. That concern has been lessened though as I've learned and seen more about the film. I wonder what the 'twist ending' will be.

 

[Reverend]

M. Night Shyamalan is my favourite writer/director so I'm looking forward to this movie. My first hesitancy on learning that this would be his next movie was not so much that it was based on a "kid's show" but moreso that it wasn't a completely original work. I think most of Shyamalan's movies are extremely unique and I was worried that basing the movie on a story that someone else has already constructed would lose some of the originality. That concern has been lessened though as I've learned and seen more about the film. I wonder what the 'twist ending' will be.

Unique...yes his last two films were especially unique. Don't get me wrong, I really liked 'Unbreakable', enjoyed 'Sixth Sense, 'The Village'...even 'Signs' to a point but the last two were just downright insulting. I think the problem a lot of people seam to have is that his quiet, introspective and emotionally stunted style has worn very thin and the ubiquitous twist endings became increasingly naff. A lot of times it's looked as if he's doped his actors they look so morose and stale. I shudder to think what would happen to the fabric of reality if he ever casts Keanu Reeves in one of his films.
Now with Airbender the fact that he didn't write the material means there's hope he'll do something as mould-breaking as letting someone crack a smile, just the once.

So yes, I'm highly sceptical given the man's track record but I can't say I'm actually concerned. The show speaks for itself and isn't going anywhere, no matter how bad or good this turns out to be...still, let's just hope he doesn't go and cast himself as the Fire Lord or Avatar Roku or something.

 

[Christopher]

Now with Airbender the fact that he didn't write the material means there's hope he'll do something as mould-breaking as letting someone crack a smile, just the once.

Well, he didn't write the source material, but he did write the screenplay adapting it. In fact, IMDb gives him sole writing credit, I suppose because the various episodes of the first season were written by so many different people (ten in all) that no one of them contributed enough to cross the WGA threshold for shared credit. I assume Konietzko & DiMartino will get "Based on the series created by" as well as their executive producer credits.

So yes, I'm highly sceptical given the man's track record but I can't say I'm actually concerned. The show speaks for itself and isn't going anywhere, no matter how bad or good this turns out to be...

I've been skeptical since the beginning, since Shyamalan hasn't done a good film since Unbreakable and his style is the diametric opposite of what A:TLA should be. But what I've seen and read about the film has been encouraging. I don't expect it to be great, or particularly well-acted, but hopefully it won't be a disaster.

still, let's just hope he doesn't go and cast himself as the Fire Lord or Avatar Roku or something.

Cliff Curtis is Ozai, Ben Cooke is Roku. And Shyamalan isn't mentioned in the cast list.

 

[Graywand2]

Shyamalan himself said he'll be in the second movie.

 

[Reverend]

Well, he didn't write the source material, but he did write the screenplay adapting it.

I was afraid of that. Still let's hope working under the constraints of an existing story will curb his...M. Night Shyamalan-ness.

I've been skeptical since the beginning, since Shyamalan hasn't done a good film since Unbreakable and his style is the diametric opposite of what A:TLA should be. But what I've seen and read about the film has been encouraging. I don't expect it to be great, or particularly well-acted, but hopefully it won't be a disaster.

Pretty much my thoughts. Except that I'm one of those strange types that actually rather liked 'The Village'.

Shyamalan himself said he'll be in the second movie.

...and the only thing I'd want to hear him say is: "MY CABBAGES!"

 

[Theonethatis]

I'm not. Avatar is a kids cartoon.

So? Just because a story is designed to be accessible to kids doesn't mean it can't be brilliant and compelling for adults.

Please point out where exactly I said that this isn't the case. I merely pointed out its limited appeal to a larger audience.

It was also one of the best shows, period, of the past decade.

I find that very hard to believe.

That "kids' show" was a thousand times smarter, funnier, more poignant, and more imaginative than any of the sleazy reality shows or grossout comedy films that are allegedly "for adults." It's the freshest fantasy world I've seen anywhere in mass-media fiction in ages, it's populated by richly drawn characters, it has complex and compelling storylines and themes -- it's more than smart enough for adults, even if it doesn't have blood and sex and four-letter words.

So I guess you'll be going to see it then?

I once believed that Avatar was nothing but a kids show. That was until I sat and started watching it. I was completely blown away and for me at 37 is no small feat. Avatar has some of the most complex themes I have ever seen in American TV. Zuko's character arc alone is some of the best writing I have seen. Just give it a chance, but keep in mind it really picks up steam second season.

 

[Harry Palmer]

I keep thinking of airbender as a euphemism for farting. I don't know why.

 

[Elemental]

M. Night Shyamalan is my favourite writer/director so I'm looking forward to this movie. My first hesitancy on learning that this would be his next movie was not so much that it was based on a "kid's show" but moreso that it wasn't a completely original work. I think most of Shyamalan's movies are extremely unique and I was worried that basing the movie on a story that someone else has already constructed would lose some of the originality. That concern has been lessened though as I've learned and seen more about the film. I wonder what the 'twist ending' will be.

Unique...yes his last two films were especially unique. Don't get me wrong, I really liked 'Unbreakable', enjoyed 'Sixth Sense, 'The Village'...even 'Signs' to a point but the last two were just downright insulting. I think the problem a lot of people seam to have is that his quiet, introspective and emotionally stunted style has worn very thin and the ubiquitous twist endings became increasingly naff. A lot of times it's looked as if he's doped his actors they look so morose and stale. I shudder to think what would happen to the fabric of reality if he ever casts Keanu Reeves in one of his films.
Now with Airbender the fact that he didn't write the material means there's hope he'll do something as mould-breaking as letting someone crack a smile, just the once.

So yes, I'm highly sceptical given the man's track record but I can't say I'm actually concerned. The show speaks for itself and isn't going anywhere, no matter how bad or good this turns out to be...still, let's just hope he doesn't go and cast himself as the Fire Lord or Avatar Roku or something.

I was being facetious on the twist ending thing. I think even he knows that it's become a bit too much of a trademark of his. And yes, I fully realize and can understand why many don't like his movies, but I personally really like his "quiet, introspective and emotionally stunted style" and even his actors who appear "morose and stale". I think his movies leave a lot to ponder afterwards and the simple innocence of his characters are a welcome change from standard cinematic fair. In many cases, it plays a largely important role in the theme of the film as well (e.g. The Village). And I disagree about the humour - I think his movies have always had an appropriate amount (e.g. the hotdog guy from The Happening). But once again, I can understand why these elements would appeal to me but not to many others.

On a completely unrelated and non-inflammatory note, I found it ironic that your post displayed a very strong vocabulary, yet you spelt "seam" instead of "seem".

 

[Reverend]

On a completely unrelated and non-inflammatory note, I found it ironic that your post displayed a very strong vocabulary, yet you spelt "seam" instead of "seem".

That would be because I'm crap at spelling.

 

[Amaris]

I keep thinking of airbender as a euphemism for farting. I don't know why.

If that's the case, then I really don't want to know what happens when you waterbend!

 

[Graywand2]

I don't want to know either.

Though I did think they got Appa right.

 

[777]

First look at the creatures of The Last Airbender

http://www.joblo.com/first-look-at-the-creatures-of-the-last-airbender

 

[darthraidr]

Awesome! I can't wait for this movie.

 

[Theonethatis]

Oh look its Momo!!