Avatar - Hell yeah

[Nique]

Just finished Avatar: The Last Airbender. Hot damn this show was way better than it had any right to be and a 100% awesome finale!

I'm excited for the movie and I'm not sure why everyone is complaining about m. Night Shanamanamanatonight directing it. So he had some 'meh' movies, he still has some good stuff under his belt? That said I have no idea how it's going to live up to how cool the series was.

My favorite character? Tie between Toph and Uncle Iroh.

[Premmy]

Late to the party much?
Nobody's really complaining about Shyamalan (http://www.racebending.com/v3/)... And yes, Avatar is the awesomest thing to ever come to awesome town.

[Eltargrim]

Just finished Avatar: The Last Airbender. Hot damn this show was way better than it had any right to be and a 100% awesome finale!
^

My favorite character? Tie between Toph and Uncle Iroh.

^^^^^^

I'm excited for the movie and I'm not sure why everyone is complaining about m. Night Shanamanamanatonight directing it. So he had some 'meh' movies, he still has some good stuff under his belt? That said I have no idea how it's going to live up to how cool the series was.

1. Casting issues.
2. 3 season show into 2 hours? Yeah. Losses in translation predicted to be horrific.
3. The good stuff was...4 movies and 7 years ago, at best. With the most recent showing being The Happening. I'm not foreseeing improvement.

[Premmy]

1. Casting issues.
2. 3 season show into 2 hours? Yeah. Losses in translation predicted to be horrific.
3. The good stuff was...4 movies and 7 years ago, at best. With the most recent showing being The Happening. I'm not foreseeing improvement.
1: well yeah
2: Three seasons, three movies
3: ehhh, The first things I've heard said he loved the hell out of the show.... He might write it well, which would actually make me sad, I want this move to tank not just because it's racist bullshit, but also because it sucks so hard.

[Nique]

Late to the party much?

I sort of thought it was gonna be a Naruto Clone so I avoided it. Tiffany just made me watch it and I was hooked. Who knew a Nickelodeon Show could be so good?

Three seasons, three movies

That could work well.

[Premmy]

I sort of thought it was gonna be a Naruto Clone so I avoided it.

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/7231/flapjack.png

[krogothwolf]

man I thought this was about the movie :( Thanks for disappointing again Nique :(

Also, Uncle Iroh is awesome.

[Tev]

3: ehhh, The first things I've heard said he loved the hell out of the show.... He might write it well, which would actually make me sad, I want this move to tank not just because it's racist bullshit, but also because it sucks so hard.
I still maintain the fear that I will go see this movie and the "twist" will be that I'm actually sitting through the second instalment of the live action Dragon Ball.

[Premmy]

I still maintain the fear that I will go see this movie and the "twist" will be that I'm actually sitting through the second instalment of the live action Dragon Ball.

1: Don't go see the movie
2: it IS

[Tev]

Well I have to admit, when I first saw the teaser trailor in the theatre, I was all...."Islands...check.....warships about to be blown up by energy bolts.....check.....bald guy who may be Krilen.....check.....Wow, they cranked out that DBZ movie fast, I wonder who's playing Vaget....oh wait, that bald kid has a blue arrow on his head... this is an Avatar trailer!"

[Kim]

From what little I've seen for the movie, my biggest problem is that the movie seems to take itself far too seriously. I mean, I'm glad it isn't like the Nicktoons commercials for the cartoon that boil down to "Haha... farts," but I'd still like to see more of the silliness that helped make the show great. Right now I'm worried they'll totally ruin Iroh by making him ANGST about his son all the time. Also, if they don't have the plot bit where Iroh goes around the Earth kingdom place being totally rad, before having a little service in honor of his son on top of the hill, it will be the worst trilogy ever.

[Aerozord]

since Avatar is back on topic I'd like to share what happened over Thanksgiving

My Cousin: "you watch Avatar? its for little kids" moments later "OH New Spongebob!"

Even my 7 year old nephew realized how hilariously hipocritical she was

[PCD]

This thread is lacking in puns. I am disappoint.

Here: Yue better not get your hopes up for the movie!

No seriously I can't expect much of Shamalamadingdong, especially after the fail casting or an overly srs trailer, but from the start the idea just made me cringe. His stuff has just not impressed me at all in years. Besides, it's enough of a miracle that the show turned out as awesome as it was in animation, trying to turn it live action is dangerous territory.

[phil_]

Right now I'm worried they'll totally ruin Iroh by making him ANGST about his son all the time.You assume that the writers or director are aware that Iroh has a son and know that Zuko is not his son. Given the quote "We've taken the farts jokes out," I'm not sure they've actually watched the show. I did watch the entire show again after that interview. Guess how many fart jokes are in Avatar. One. In three seasons.

So, yup, not looking forward to the movie; the show was pretty nifty and I'm glad I watched it and wish I had watched it from the beginning instead of right before the second half of season 3 aired.

[Nique]

Um, on the whole Dragon Ball thing; DBZ sucked hard anyway so I don't see how a live-action film is anything bad so much as it is an acknowledgment that it's a pretty dumb show.

[Aerozord]

To my memory 90% of the humor was Sokka/Toph derived. So the only way they.. could... take those out...


This cant be good

[Nique]

Aang had lots of good moments and so did Iroh.

I was concerned that they might make Azula too crazy in the movie (if she is in it at all) but only for like 2 seconds cause there's no way you could make Azula more crazy.

[Premmy]

From what little I've seen for the movie, my biggest problem is that the movie seems to take itself far too seriously.
Definitely, An avatar Movie trailer should be

In a world, overrun with evil
*cut to scene of Sokka and Katarra being menaced by Zuko*
Terrorized by oppresssion
*cut to to scene of Earth Kingdom/water tribe people fighting some firebenders*
One, chosen warrior can save them all
* Image of Aang swopping in to save the day with the cloak on, no face reveal*
And that warrior
Aang: PENGUINS!
Is 12 years old
Sokka: We're doomed, are'nt we?
*Woosh*
Avatar: The Last Airbender. Coming soon with actors that look like the characters they're supposed to be.

[Aerozord]

that reminded me, avatar's length was intentional. Even cutting out the filler episodes, which would deminish the series as it helps pace things and develope the characters, there is way too much there. Zuko's redemption alone took about 2/3 of the series. Only way this can be good is if they didn't do it as a retelling of the story. Because thats not possible in movie format

[Locke cole]

Um, on the whole Dragon Ball thing; DBZ sucked hard anyway so I don't see how a live-action film is anything bad so much as it is an acknowledgment that it's a pretty dumb show.

Did you really think it sucked when you watched it?
When it was doing its first Toonami run, did you honestly think it sucked?

I know it's not the best show ever, and that the anime had a lot of timing problems, but I really don't think it sucks. Granted, I think I probably preferred when it was mocking fighting anime instead of being a straightforward one, but... anyway. I mean, it inspired so many shows and codified a lot of tropes. It deserves some props, that show.



Anyway, actors. I think the Zuko actor's costume needs some work. Scar's on the wrong side.

[Nique]

Did you really think it sucked when you watched it?
When it was doing its first Toonami run, did you honestly think it sucked?

I'm not really a fan of Shonen Fighting anime... DBZ and YuYu Hakusho are both pretty terrible as far as I'm concerned. DBZ is the reason people make fun of anime. That said, I'm totally wiling to admit that I'm completely in the wrong demo-graph for that show and may not "get" the appeal that someone who is, might.

[Intern Nin]

Definitely, An avatar Movie trailer should be
In a world, overrun with evil
*cut to scene of Sokka and Katarra being menaced by Zuko*
Terrorized by oppresssion
*cut to to scene of Earth Kingdom/water tribe people fighting some firebenders*
One, chosen warrior can save them all
* Image of Aang swooping in to save the day with the cloak on, no face reveal*
And that warrior
Aang: PENGUINS!
Is 12 years old
Sokka: We're doomed, are'nt we?
*Woosh*
Avatar: The Last Airbender. Coming soon with actors that look like the characters they're supposed to be.

In a better world, that would be the trailer for Avatar: The Last Airbender. Instead, we get this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrmNvOk8ddc). I'm so not digging the music in the trailer.

[Premmy]

*Looks at Trailer, Sigh*
:(
Man, what's wrong with wonder and adventure? does everything have to be about being bad-ass? can't you reel me into your movie by making me want to explore your fantastic other world and story?
But then, we already know they don't care about the world or the story....

[RickZarber]

I love how the trailer is all "From M. Night Shyamalan: An M. Night Shyamalan film Written, Produced, and Directed by M. Night Shyamalan"

That is what I took away from it, anyway.

[The Sevenshot Kid]

Movie doesn't look half bad. The effects look really good and they found a director who enjoyed the source material with his kids.

All those claims of racism are just stupid. As it turns out, the best actor for a role can be white. I'm sure if a better actor who wasn't white had pursued a role he/she would have gotten one. Sometimes the better actor just doesn't want to do the movie.

[Kim]

I'm avoiding the trailers because I'm avoiding the show. What little I did see of the first trailer made it look all SERIOUS BUSINESS and fuck that noise.

Their THIS IS SERIOUS GUYS version of the tattoo looks stupid as hell.

[bluestarultor]

I'm avoiding the trailers because I'm avoiding the show. What little I did see of the first trailer made it look all SERIOUS BUSINESS and fuck that noise.

Their THIS IS SERIOUS GUYS version of the tattoo looks stupid as hell.

I'm not seeing how a glowing arrow ripped straight from the show is any different?


Actually, it looks like it might be okay. Although I'm really hoping that the twist is that you sit through the whole movie waiting for the twist, only there isn't any, and Shamylan sits in a padded chair with a glass of wine laughing maniacally at having pulled the ultimate troll on the fanbase.

[Premmy]

Shamylan sits in a padded chair with a glass of wine laughing maniacally at having pulled the ultimate troll on the fanbase.
Been there, done that. (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0938283/)

[Kim]

I'm not seeing how a glowing arrow ripped straight from the show is any different?

Honestly, this is why I think they shouldn't be making a movie of it period. Well, it's one of several reasons...

1. There is no way to make the arrow not look dumb in live action. Serious business arrow is dumb for being serious business, but the blue one just wouldn't work either.

2. A rumor I'm rather quite fond of states that everyone who worked on Avatar watched FLCL beforehand. True or not, I know M. Night WhatATwist has not watched FLCL.

3. The show had amazing pacing, and that's going to get fucked to hell in the movies.

4. I'm a picky, unappeasable bastard and will be upset no matter what the finished product is like.

5. It's being directed by M. Night. Dude's best movie was Unbreakable and it's all gone downhill since then.

[bluestarultor]

Been there, done that. (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0938283/)

Oh, no, there is a heavily multiracial cast with one white kid, whatever shall we do?

Come on. People had WAY more reason to bitch about the Dragonball movie because they had no good reason to do the casting that way. Aang from the cartoon could EASILY pass for white to start with if everyone didn't simply assume he was Asian because of his outfit.

The kid they chose is in no way wrong for the role. In fact this has to be the LEAST white a Hollywood movie has ever been, or damn close. Yet people find reason to bitch because there's ONE white person in the entire cast? Fucking George Lopez had more than that!

[Premmy]

Oh, no, there is a heavily multiracial cast with one white kid, whatever shall we do?

Come on. People had WAY more reason to bitch about the Dragonball movie because they had no good reason to do the casting that way. Aang from the cartoon could EASILY pass for white to start with if everyone didn't simply assume he was Asian because of his outfit.

The kid they chose is in no way wrong for the role. In fact this has to be the LEAST white a Hollywood movie has ever been, or damn close. Yet people find reason to bitch because there's ONE white person in the entire cast? Fucking George Lopez had more than that!

Ahem, I just linked to the IMDB Page, the joke therein being the "Ultimate Troll on the Fanbase" was the movie itself.
As for the rest of your "argument" wel... I just don't know where to start.

[bluestarultor]

Ahem, I just linked to the IMDB Page, the joke therein being the "Ultimate Troll on the Fanbase" was the movie itself.

My assumption was that I was supposed to be looking at the cast list, but fair enough.

Don't see the movie.

Seriously, if people really want to protest the egregious attempt to capitalize on a popular franchise by dumping millions of dollars into making a homage to it, they shouldn't pay to watch it.

On the other hand, maybe it'll be totally great and people will come crawling back. If it's shit, word will get around pretty fast and it'll fail based on its own merits. If it's okay, people will probably see it because people don't expect much else these days.

Really, though, with how wide a fanbase Avatar has in the first place, if fans just refuse to see it, the production won't even break even.



Edit: I'm going to ignore your edit, because it'll likely be some big to-do if I don't, and I really don't want to have to deal with that when we're talking about arbitrary fiction.

[TIME BOMB]

its amazing how many people are quick to hate a movie that no ones seen yet. By the way, anyone see the new trailer that premiered on the superbowl yesterday? I think its looking pretty aight.

[Kim]

its amazing how many people are quick to hate a movie that no ones seen yet.

It's amazing how quick people are to give the benefit of the doubt or even like a movie no one's seen yet.

[Warrioroflightfromanother]

I saw night after premiere night and didn´t know anything about Avatar before watching the movie except it had some new technology.

Got to say I didn't like this. Sure it was very beatifully done but still story was way too predictable and the world wasn't so unique either. All those blue guys are just basically elves from different fantasy books. That "hairbonding" was only nice detail.

It had good actors and it was nicely done, still I would say Shadow of the Colossus easily has much more unique scenery and many other games. This movie is definately not worth the hype.

[Tev]

Wrong Avatar thread friend. This is about kids with elemental powers, not blue monkey people reenacting Fern Gully.

[bluestarultor]

It's amazing how quick people are to give the benefit of the doubt or even like a movie no one's seen yet.

Glass half empty much? As a self-respecting reviewer, you should know you can't review something before it's out without your bias essentially negating your viewpoint.

Frankly, I don't care about the movie one way or the other, since I don't pay for cable and therefore haven't seen the series. On the other hand, I'm feeling surly and have to say I can't in good conscience form a full opinion of a movie based on a single trailer that doesn't really give much away or come off as a collection of the best scenes.

[Archbio]

As a self-respecting reviewer, you should know you can't review something before it's out without your bias essentially negating your viewpoint.

People can have negative expectations for a variety of reasons, and express them. I'm not sure what "viewpoint negation" is supposed to even mean, but I'm sure it doesn't change that basic fact.

[Tev]

Well I'm just now getting around to watching the show and am about half way through season two. It's not a bad story at all and unfortunately I'm beginning to see the movie previews with a whole new wave of apprehension.

As many people have pointed out, it's going to be hell to properly pace a movie to the show. Even if they go the route of making one movie for each of the three seasons I really think some of the more important themes are going to be lost in translation.

It kinda sucks now having an emotional vested interest in this movie. Before I could just laugh it off and not worry about how seeing the movie would ruin my feelings for the show. Now....now I feel a slight tinge of pain when I see the trailer.

[Kim]

Glass half empty much? As a self-respecting reviewer, you should know you can't review something before it's out without your bias essentially negating your viewpoint.

There is no way for them to squeeze everything from the series into even three movies. A lot is going to get cut out and the pacing, something I loved in the series, will be ruined. There is no way for it not to be.

The series could be dark at times, but often had a much more lighthearted tone. Everything I've seen suggests that the movie is taking itself deadly serious, which, for a movie based on Avatar, is really stupid.

Every M. Night movie I've seen has been worse than the one that came before it, in my opinion. Even if you disagree and think that he's a good director, that does not change how I feel about his movies. I do not expect this pattern to change simply because it's based on something I like.

What little I've seen of live-action movies based on anime gives me the impression that they tend towards mediocre at best. The source material doesn't seem able to function in a different medium very well. I have no reason to think this will be different.

I think all these add up to pretty good reasons to assume the movie will be no good.

[TIME BOMB]

whenever people talk in forums about movies that havent come out yet i always think jay and silent bob strike back. But yeah i think its best to try to keep an open mind about these things. Obvisouly you cant fit a whole season worth of a show into one movie without some serious changes and reimagining. Im kinda stoked to see how its being reimagined though. It may suck or it may be super rad. I guess well all find out in june or july or whenever its supposed to be.

[bluestarultor]

whenever people talk in forums about movies that havent come out yet i always think jay and silent bob strike back. But yeah i think its best to try to keep an open mind about these things. Obvisouly you cant fit a whole season worth of a show into one movie without some serious changes and reimagining. Im kinda stoked to see how its being reimagined though. It may suck or it may be super rad. I guess well all find out in june or july or whenever its supposed to be.

This is more what I was trying to say, only I suck at managing to say stuff.

Like, I can get people saying it does or doesn't look good. On the other hand, I can't get people saying it will or won't be good, and there's a difference.

Forming such a hard opinion based on a fraction of the content of anything really only spoils it for you and anyone looking to you for an opinion. If your opinion is pre-solidified, it gives a bias that takes a lot of work to overcome.

[The Wandering God]

The Last Airbender Superbowl spot (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xS8aSJ0gWg) You can catch a glimpse of Appa on the upper left of the shot at 0:09.

I'm glad the bending looks good. I was worried the CGI would be cheesy, but I think this is about the best it could be. Not surprising since Industrial Light & Magic is taking care of it.

I've been holding off on commenting about the actors mostly because I haven't seen them act yet.

As to how well it can be adapted...

Well, M. Night did say he wanted to put everything in there. And that the creators would be helping him with the writing, so it's not like they don't have any input at all. No, the movies won't have the exact pacing of the show. But that doesn't mean the movies are hopeless. I'm not a purist, so I can never understand why some people have to have things be exactly reproduced. Especially when it's something that is already visual.

I think they are trying to make the movie look serious because any indication of humor this early in the process would make people think it's a comedy. There is still plenty we haven't seen yet.

[Seil]

So avatar is pretty fucking awesome. 3d is sub-par. Totally naming that "cat" thing Bagheera.

[Tev]

Cat thing?

Also, from what I've seen of the previews, this movie is going to encompass the first season only. I didn't see anything that screamed 2nd or 3rd season.

[Premmy]

Cat-Lemur-Bat
http://images.absoluteanime.com/avatar_the_last_airbender/momo.jpg
Edit:
The lack of Momo-ments in these trailers is appalling.

[Locke cole]

Yeah, it looks like this movie is going to go up through the Siege Of The North, hitting the important stops along the way.
I do so hope we get to see King Bumi in this movie.

[Drownball-Champ]

Movie seems like it might be ok. I hope they keep Sokka the way he is in the show. I don't think any Avatar moment beats Sokka on cactus juice.
Originally I was iffy on Shyamalan doing the movie, but it looks like he might not have messed this one up.