kriadydragon (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
kriadydragon) wrote2010-07-10 11:21 pm
kriadydragon) wrote2010-07-10 11:21 pm
Poor Last Airbender Movie :(
I was looking at reviews for The Last Airbender. It was very depressing to do so, because the reviews aren't just negative, they are down right vicious. Which sucks because if this movie doesn't do well enough, that means no sequel, which will suck for those of us who actually liked the movie.
Now, Mind you, I haven't seen the cartoon, I only know of it. I imagine that if I were a hardcore fan I would be pretty ticked at this movie, too. But who knows as I'm pretty easy to please and am content if the movie at least attempts to stick with as much of the source material as possible. Because, let's face it, that isn't really possible. Look at the Harry Potter movies. They tried, they really tried, to make the movies exactly like the books and people were still nay-saying like crazy (and what happens? They get a new director and the movies are even less like the book, but still good). For that reason, I tend to cut adaptations a lot of slack.
There was a lot of complaints about the acting, how bad it was, blah, blah, blah. Yeah, there were moments when I was a little "meh" on the acting but I have seen so much worse - so much worse - especially where kid actors are involved that when comparing TLA to those movies. TLA is practically Oscar worthy. They say the emotion of the movie was flat - there were parts that almost made me cry. They said people booed in the theater - people applauded when I went to see it (unless they were being sarcastic? I doubt it).
I also like adaptations. I'm a visual person, so when I see some favorite show, video game or book make it to the big screen, I'm beyond ecstatic. I loved all the LOTRs to bits, Harry Potter, Prince of Persia, The A Team and Alice in Wonderland (the new one) to name a few. And I really, really enjoyed The Last Airbender.
I can't speak for hardcore fans. Chances are good you won't like it (because it seems there has yet to be a hardcore fan who does like it). For those who don't know the cartoon, you may very well enjoy it as it's a fun action/adventure and better than most kid movies, I thought.
ETA: Of course, everyone is entitled to their opinion and entitled to like this movie or hate it, and I totally get why the fans of the cartoon are frustrated. I just felt like giving the movie a more in-depth positive review since it's been getting mostly negative reviews, since I did enjoy it (and tend to stick up for the things I like ;)).
ETA2: Positive reviews have been found!:D They're mostly toward the back of the reviews and mostly scattered, but they do exist, and some of them are by hardcore fans. I like what they had to say about going in with an open mind and no real expectations, and to enjoy the movie for what it is and not what it could be. It's not perfect, but it's far from being the worst movie ever made.
Now, Mind you, I haven't seen the cartoon, I only know of it. I imagine that if I were a hardcore fan I would be pretty ticked at this movie, too. But who knows as I'm pretty easy to please and am content if the movie at least attempts to stick with as much of the source material as possible. Because, let's face it, that isn't really possible. Look at the Harry Potter movies. They tried, they really tried, to make the movies exactly like the books and people were still nay-saying like crazy (and what happens? They get a new director and the movies are even less like the book, but still good). For that reason, I tend to cut adaptations a lot of slack.
There was a lot of complaints about the acting, how bad it was, blah, blah, blah. Yeah, there were moments when I was a little "meh" on the acting but I have seen so much worse - so much worse - especially where kid actors are involved that when comparing TLA to those movies. TLA is practically Oscar worthy. They say the emotion of the movie was flat - there were parts that almost made me cry. They said people booed in the theater - people applauded when I went to see it (unless they were being sarcastic? I doubt it).
I also like adaptations. I'm a visual person, so when I see some favorite show, video game or book make it to the big screen, I'm beyond ecstatic. I loved all the LOTRs to bits, Harry Potter, Prince of Persia, The A Team and Alice in Wonderland (the new one) to name a few. And I really, really enjoyed The Last Airbender.
I can't speak for hardcore fans. Chances are good you won't like it (because it seems there has yet to be a hardcore fan who does like it). For those who don't know the cartoon, you may very well enjoy it as it's a fun action/adventure and better than most kid movies, I thought.
ETA: Of course, everyone is entitled to their opinion and entitled to like this movie or hate it, and I totally get why the fans of the cartoon are frustrated. I just felt like giving the movie a more in-depth positive review since it's been getting mostly negative reviews, since I did enjoy it (and tend to stick up for the things I like ;)).
ETA2: Positive reviews have been found!:D They're mostly toward the back of the reviews and mostly scattered, but they do exist, and some of them are by hardcore fans. I like what they had to say about going in with an open mind and no real expectations, and to enjoy the movie for what it is and not what it could be. It's not perfect, but it's far from being the worst movie ever made.
no subject
Personally, I won't see it because of the casting white actors for lead Asian roles. I'm not being overly PC, but I'm sick of Hollywood whitewashing other cultures. Just my two cents.
But if it made you happy, and you were entertained, then that is all that matters.
EDIT- Opening weekend was 40 million which is HUGE, not including international markets. I think a chance for a sequel is pretty high unless it tanks the next few weeks. Most profits nowadays is in DVDS sales. You don't even have to break even in theaters anymore.
no subject
Sometimes I wonder if people know how to enjoy, well, anything anymore. There are times it feels like I see more negative reactions toward shows and movies these days than positive. Using your example, I remember when people were first getting into Supernatural how excited and happy they were. It kind of irritated me because I was already "been there, done that." Plus they kept gushing about it on the Gateworld Shep whump thread, even comparing it to SGA and saying SPN had better whump. It got on my nerves so bad I almost ended up disliking the show.
Now I'm seeing nothing but the flip side, of people who once loved this show tearing into it. Which isn't to say they didn't have their reasons - I got rather bored of the show myself - but I found the complete one-eighty rather interesting after all the gushing, and kind of sad for the same reason.
no subject
It's okay to watch something despite any flaws and allow whatever you're entertained by--to entertain you! Between SGA and SPN 'fans' tearing apart the shows, I stepped away--except in rare occasions. I do react to other LJ reviews, but for the most part—just sit back and have fun.
no subject
Yeah. That's the feeling I got reading the negative reviews for TLA, that what they were expecting was the cartoon word for word, plot for plot. I went back to search for more positive reviews, found them, and I liked how they talked about going into the movie with an open mind, understanding that the movie wasn't going to be the cartoon. And for that reason, they were able to enjoy the movie (and some even liked the changes that were made).
"It's okay to watch something despite any flaws and allow whatever you're entertained by--to entertain you!"
Yes, exactly! :D Shows and movies are brain candy. They exist to entertain. Granted, the writers, directors,and actors should do their best, but in the end no show is going to be absolute perfection, and that's okay. There are things about SGA I'm unhappy about, but they're very minor complaints and overall have no influence on my enjoyment of the show. TLA had its issues, but it was so much fun to watch I didn't care.