REVIEW The Last Airbender

Lost in translation. What better phrase to sum up M. Night Shyamalan’s efforts to bring the beloved Avatar: The Last Airbender animated series to the silver screen? It has been three and a half years since Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies announced the hiring of  Oscar nominated director M. Night Shyamalan to produce the live action adaptation, much to the trepidation of Avatar fans worldwide. While Night’s early Hollywood career met with substantial box office success and critical acclaim, his two most recent films (and a third to be released in 2008) were received far less favorably. Many were beginning to justifiably doubt his directing talents, and still more wondered if he had the skills necessary to do justice to the Peabody award winning modern classic. We’ve been following this film since production finally began to ramp up in the fall of 2008; covering every news item, every photo snapped, every interview given, every trailer screened, and we were even lucky enough to have a chance to interview Night himself back in March earlier this year. The cast and crew said the right things, the costumes and sets looked fantastic, the special fx wowed us, and Night had a lot of enthusiasm for the show & seemed to get what made Avatar great. Aside from the much publicized casting issues, things seemed to have been progressing most auspiciously. I was lucky enough to have been invited to the film’s premiere at the Lincoln Center in New York City on June 30th. Having given myself a few days deliberation, I believe I’m ready to submit a critique of the film that will hopefully keep gut-reaction hyperbole to a minimum.

High Definition TV Spot #7

Paramount sent us a HD version of TV Spot #7 today. This spot has so far been my favorite, mainly because of the great Appa roar at the end.

Princess Azula Revealed At Last

Some of you may have seen a rogue screenshot floating around the tubes with some surprising news, well it’s true.  The folks over at Paramount have released The Last Airbender‘s final credit sheet, revealing everyone’s favorite lightning bending psychotic at last: 21-year-old Summer Bishil! Ms. Bishil’s credits include roles in Hannah Montana, Return to Halloweentown, Crossing Over, and the recently canceled CBS medical drama Three Rivers. In 2007, she was picked by Variety as one of their Top 10 actors to watch. Ms. Bishil was also nominated for the best actress Spirit Award for her role in the film Towelhead.

And The Winners Are…

The deadline has passed, and the winners have been chosen and notified by email! Yes our Simon & Schuster Airbender book tie-in giveaway has officially come to a close. Thank you all for your wonderful submissions, and congratulations to the winners. For those that weren’t so lucky this time, don’t despair. Wii will be conducting another giveaway contest very soon. Until then, feel free to read the winning entrees. It could be you!!

HD Television Spots #5 and #6

Paramount released two high-definition versions of television spots #5 and #6 today for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy and keep checking for the results of the novel contest!

Television Spot #5 “The One”

Television Spot #6 “Save Us”

New Momo TV Spot!

At long last we get our first glimpse of live action Momo in motion in the newest TV spot!

And some classic Katara & Sokka bending shenanigans at the end too.

Aang Finds His Dæmon

Film blog Daemon’s Movies recently released 29 new photos of The Last Airbender, including some really cool behind-the-scenes shots! Things are really beginning to ramp up as we draw ever closer to the July 1st release date! More tv spots have been released in the past few days than I can count, and I really don’t know where to begin!

That being said, please excuse me if I’m tardy with news & such. Between a hectic work schedule, and taking care of my father during and after his surgery, it is going to be hard to keep the site up to speed. Rest assured that Charles will do his best to fill the void.

Anyway, enjoy the pics!

Autographs & Trailer At Six Flags

Our friends at Paramount have provided us with some cool photos of an event held at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in San Francisco, CA on June 17th! Actors Nicola Peltz and Jackson Rathbone were in attendance for a trailer unveiling and to sign autographs for those lucky enough to be there. I just hope they kept Sokka away from all of that meat.

It is unclear at this time when the trailer that was unveiled will be released publicly, if it hasn’t been already. In the meantime, enjoy the sights!

Picture This: New Stills of Jackson Rathbone

Jacksonrathbonesource.org has been posting some cool hi-res pictures of Jackson Rathbone as Sokka during the month of May. Today they had a couple of new additions which we at Last Airbender Film though everyone should see.

Check out Jacksonrathbonesource.org for more great pictures featuring everyone’s favorite boomerang-wielding idea guy.

Third Theatrical Trailer Unveiled

Earlier today Paramount Pictures unveiled the third full length theatrical trailer for The Last Airbender. Suffice to say it features a great deal more bending money shots, and is sure to garner a lot of attention from moviegoers. It is also the first publicly released media touting the recently announced 3D version. Without further ado…