The Last Airbender did not do M. Night Shyamalan any favours with the critics. The film seemingly fell flat on its face, which is strange considering how successful the show was, not to mention the fact that a successful director was taking the reigns. However, eight years on from the release of the first film, is there likely to be a second?
Potential release date
In reality, there are many who have said that they do not believe that the Last Airbender 2 should be released. The original struggled and many believe that the damage has been done. Despite this, M. Night Shyamalan has stated that he does have plans to make the film but he wants to release one of his other ideas first. However, he has written the script and has said that he is very pleased with the first draft, which is uncommon for him but this suggests that a release date is being considered. While the film has not even begun production yet, it is likely that it is going to be several years until it is released. When you consider that films such as the original can take as much as three years to create, it won’t be released until at least 2022.
Why did The Last Airbender Struggle?
The film was a big budget film, which of course, does not guarantee it to be a hit success but what really caused it to turn into a disaster?
The critic community did not look favourably on the film for many reasons. To begin with, the film was deemed to be confusing by many. The whole film was underpinned by the cartoon series but Shyamalan put his spin on it. There was a dialogue that really made it difficult for viewers to understand what was happening, particularly those who were not familiar with the original series. In fact, when you consider the first released trailers, which contained no dialogue, the alarm bells should have been ringing then.
The confusion that came with the film was put down to the fact that adults were unaware of who the film was aimed at? Was it for young teens, young adults, children or everyone? In fact, it was made for children under the age of ten. Shyamalan seems pretty adamant that he was not going to change the film so that it fitted into a wider audience, simply because the film should belong to children and that was a compromise he was not willing to make.
Finally, the way in which the film was produced was altered during the process. The production team realised that a large chunk of the film would have to be made using special effects and green screens. This is as far away from the original ideas of Shyamalan as you could get, especially when he wanted it filmed in stunning locations and landscapes. Therefore, the film was re-budgeted with a lot of the money then going to industrial light and magic. The filming locations changed to the point where they were then filming in areas surrounding Pennsylvania. As if that wasn’t enough to throw the film off track, novice directors were then brought in by producers to take care of the effects process.
So, it is now slightly clearer as to why the film was deemed to be a disaster from the beginning. It seems as though Shyamalan’s original ideas were overlooked and that could be the problem. He has stated that he wants to stick to the contracted three films, so perhaps he has learned from his mistakes the first time around, which could mean that The Last Airbender 2 could actually be worth watching.
I have just watched The Last Airbender the first film and find the critics opinion was most likely the thing that cost the film dearly. It’s always the case that films can be killed by misinformed reports and 8 years on this is proven in the watching.
Me and two young boys were glued to the screen whilst the story unrolled in its very clear format, the 5year old explained to me what was happening although I could clearly see for myself.
End result was we looked for Last Airbender 2 which needs to happen soon followed by 3, if the press takes an open minded approach rather than hating it would be a great success. Stop slating what you either did not watch or clearly could not try to understand.
I agree 100%. If you are a Last airbender fan, then the movie makes perfect sense. My kids and I thought it was awesome and have been waiting patiently for the 2nd. We need a finale!!
I just watched The Last Airbender, which I believe is an open door for a great story line, as a young monk peices together a responsibility to bring positivity back to the world of benders and grow into the talents to do so.
I have been a fan of the show since it first came out when I was a kid. I was really excited for the movie(in 2010) but 9 year old me hated it. It was nothing compared to the show. The main reasons as to why the movie was a failure was because it didnt do the characters any justice.It got them completely wrong and they acted like some other character. Also, the bending was a bit weird in the movie. It does not take 6 earthbenders to move one medium sized rock, let alone make it move so slowly. The scenery and the effects for the bending are good but the way the characters are portrayed need to be heavily fixed in order to make the sequel any good.
If you are not a fan , you will be confused Try to watch the cartoon first
I am a big fan of The Last Airbender. I too have been waiting patiently for the second movie. I love the story, I want to know more. And I am anxious to see the Avatar master all of the elements to change people’s hearts without having to destroy the fire nation. I feel that the second movie will be well worth the wait!
Actually, a very enjoyable film, when one considers some of the dire films that the critics seem to drool over it is little wonder that a good, simple and highly enjoyable film was well beyond their ability to accept, my wife and I are not familiar with the story before watching the film and had no trouble at all following it, yes it was simplistic, but what is the issue with this. particularly as it was to be aimed at a younger audience. Some of you “professional” critics really do need to get your heads out of the area from which the sun doesn’t shine!
It is a shame that critics can do such damage, and unwarranted in my opinion and that of many others who thoroughly enjoyed the movie. I look forward to The Last Airbender 2!
I have watched the movie and I liked it the problem with critics is they like to shoot down movies because they can’t make them and the movie is meant to be for kids if the critics are kids they would have loved the movie I look forward to seeing the next air bender 2 movie
I just watched it for the second time since it came out. I really liked it both times. I did not watch the cartoon, but I had no trouble following the plot and understanding what was going on. It’s a kid’s movie, and made for children, so maybe “adults” just don’t get it, because they are trying to make it more complicated than necessary. I’m 63 years old, but the kid in me still loves it and I hope they make the sequels and finish the story before I’m sequestered in a nursing home and can’t get out to watch it in the theater!
I have just finished watching The Last Airbender with my son on Film 4 and we both thoroughly enjoyed it. I have not seen the cartoon series but was familiar with it from my nephews. It became clear to me early on that this was intended to be part of a trilogy and I (and my son) look forward to the next film and the third. Soldier on Mr M. Night Shyamalan! ignore the critics, I have enjoyed all your movies and when all the airbender movies and Glass are all made viewed and released to DVD and Blu Ray both trilogies will take pride of place in my movie collection.
I have just watched the movie The Last Airbender for the second time and I enjoyed it just as much as I did the first time I watched it. I just don’t see why the critics gave it such a bad review; there’s nothing wrong with it! And as far as it being for children only, I disagree; in fact it was quite refreshing – no foul language, no nudity, no sex, no confusion, etc.; nothing like what we have to endure when watching most movies of today – full of foul language, nudity, sex, etc.. I am 61 and wish they had already made a sequel to the movie! Hurry up, times a wastin’!
I just watched The Last Airbender and loved it. I’ve never watched the show so I had no idea what it was about before I watched it. It was not confusing, it was quite clear what was going on and I’m completely surprised people are claiming that is confusing! What’s confusing?! It was a great movie and I look forward to the sequel.