SpoilerAs for character development, I was relatively unimpressed, except for with Prince Zoku (I think that's the name).
Almost 
Just switch the o and the u for Zuko 
I saw the movie today and well I have to say I'm disappointed. The cartoon series was definitly much better.
I knew the movie would be way worse than the cartoons! I went into the movie knowing that is was going to be pretty disappointing! So when I watched it it was not as bad as if I went in expecting something like the cartoons.
--Benjamin
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Posted : July 9, 2010 5:44 pm
Just for the record: No Kyoshi Warriors on the DVD:
Posted : July 10, 2010 5:17 am
I got to see it this weekend in Atlanta and like some others, I have not seen the show and the only the background to it that I know is what I read in the intro posts in this thread. That being said, here is my review.
Be watching for the release of my spiritual warfare novel under a new title: "Call to Arms" by OakTara Publishing. A sequel (title TBD) will shortly follow.
Posted : July 14, 2010 7:16 am
Thanks for that detailed review, Fencer. I've been curious how people unfamiliar with the original series might receive this version, especially given the pacing and plot issues. I agree with virtually all your points.
I saw it again today and also agree that it's like PC: a poor adaptation but enjoyable enough movie on its own. (Though I really noticed some of the poor script lines this time).
I was able to enjoy it more this time, and pick out other good and bad points, perhaps because I knew what to expect, overall.
Additional positive points:
Spoiler
Cinematography: lots of wide, beautiful shots fill the background of places like the Northern Air Temple, some Earth Kingdom villages, and both Water Tribe locations. The Great Divide makes a nice background shot at one point.
Nods to the original: I noticed a few more this time. I caught more of the original Iroh's wisdom and easy-going spirit than I did before.
Music: As Fencer says, it adds to the movie rather than offering a distraction. I liked the music when Aang was bending the huge wall of water in the Siege of the North.
Bending and martial arts: Some nice scenes of people doing martial arts, especially with Aang and Katara practicing at the North Pole. Water, air, and firebending all looked pretty cool. Earthbending not so much. (It still takes far too long for the elements to respond to the benders )
A few new issues:
Spoiler
The description of the Avatar's connection to the spirit world (given by Katara's grandmother) really only seemed to unnecessarily complicate things. I don't think the Fire Nation was after the Avatar for the reasons she gives; Zuko's only after him to get his honor back, and Zhao's objective is to beat Zuko and thus get a promotion and more power.
One of the main points of the Avatar State - the connection to past Avatars along with their experiences and wisdom - is essentially ignored. In the series Roku acts as a sort of guide to Aang and the audience; here we just get a dragon that may or may not be Roku's Fang.
Zhao is portrayed as a kind of wimpy pawn of Fire Lord Ozai. In the series he's many things - hot-tempered, impulsive, a loose cannon - but I don't think he comes across as wimpy. His frequent meetings with Ozai, in which they keep referring to the Library scrolls and attacking the Moon Spirit, differs from the original, in which he does those things on his own initiative. In fact, movie Iroh telling Zhao his problem is that he's "always stood alone" is more reflective of the TV character than this one.
Earlier I criticized this version for its lack of waterbending in what should have been the epic bending battle at the North Pole, even after the moon is restored. I still stand by that point, though I can see a possible reason why: Aang does a bunch of waterbending on his way to the wall of the city for his climactic scene, and having others bending all around him might diminish the impact.
Minor nits: The assertion that the Avatar can't have a family seems odd - especially given that past family relations become a significant plot point in season 3.
And the dragon's assertion that "as the Avatar you're not meant to hurt anyone" seems off too. In the original, the Siege of the North ended with many destroyed Fire Navy ships. Here, they just sail away after seeing a big (and admittedly very impressive) wall of water.
In the series, especially in season 3, the tension Aang feels is that as an air nomad he doesn't want to hurt people, even though his role as Avatar seemingly requires it. That, I think, is a much more compelling internal struggle.
Still, I've recommended it to fans of the original series, with the proper disclaimers of course. 
But all night, Aslan and the Moon gazed upon each other with joyful and unblinking eyes.
Posted : July 15, 2010 9:57 am
That's sad that Kyoshi Warriors won't be on the DVD, Reepi. I'm of the opinion that anything and everything deleted can be made a special feature on the DVD. I think Shyamalan's excuse about introducing them in the second movie is just that -- an excuse. He could still introduce them in the second movie and let us have that scene on the first DVD.
gazer,
Spoiler
regarding your worries about the "no family" bit, my thoughts are that it will be revealed that this was said in order to prevent the events surrounding Roku's demise from repeating, as that was pretty much a family thing. I'm also guessing that since Roku was cast for this film, that he will be incorporated at some point and I'm certain he had scenes or at least lines filmed for this movie that were cut. Although, I doubt we will see any of that on the DVD since Shyamalan seems bent on only giving us "the more comedic" deleted scenes.
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Posted : July 15, 2010 11:52 am
Another short thing:
I also am one to think the pace was kinda off. The movie definately needed more time (Without seeing any travel, the group is in a whole different nation only 5 minutes after some event in another). Coincidentally, reports say initial test showings of the movie ran about 140 minutes, so it seems plenty was cut (and 3D added). I do hope there will be an extended edition DVD.
Posted : July 16, 2010 10:09 am
Just a couple thoughts on why the director changed what he did.
Team Edward and Team Jacob are overrated. I'm Team Avatar!
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Posted : July 17, 2010 6:45 am
Please note that this Special Feature will close Sunday, July 25, at which point you may discuss Avatar and The Last Airbender in the relevant Movies and TV Shows topics.
Posted : July 22, 2010 6:01 am
Just thought I would let all of you Avatar fans know about the new Avatar cartoon that takes place 70 years after the events of the current cartoon.
It will feature all new characters and the Avatar will be a girl named Korra who is from the Southern Water Tribe. The Series is currently called: Avatar: The Legend of Korra.
Here is the link:
http://tv.ign.com/articles/110/1107556p1.html
The Value of myth is that it takes all the things you know and restores to them the rich significance which has been hidden by the veil of familiarity. C.S. Lewis
Posted : July 22, 2010 7:03 pm
That sounds interesting. Hope that they'll give us some info on what happened to everyone. Since Aang has a son, obviously he married someone. It wouldn't surprise me if it wasn't
Spoiler
Katara
Posted : July 22, 2010 7:23 pm
Just finished the Book 1: Water story (volumes 1-5). I really enjoyed it. How many volumes does the Earth story have? Thanks
Currently watching:
Doctor Who - Season 11
Posted : July 22, 2010 10:39 pm
Book 2:
Going well.
Posted : July 23, 2010 2:17 am
oh wow a new Avatar series? That would be awesome. I'm excited! Hope they bring back some of the other characters too.
Team Edward and Team Jacob are overrated. I'm Team Avatar!
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Posted : July 23, 2010 10:42 am
Verrrrry interesting, 7chronicles.
Right, Booky. I do hope they give some info on what happened to every one, but maybe not too much. As for it being set 70 years in the future, I'm gonna try not to think too hard about that---their timelines make my head hurt. 
On the upside, maybe we'll find out if the Fortune Teller was right about Katara.
Emmm, I think Earth has 5 volumes as well, Warrior 4 Jesus. Hm, wait, no...according to Amazon.com, it looks like there are only four volumes.
I've been rewatching some episodes and have discovered answers/explanations for a couple of things that have been bothering me.
Some days you battle yourself and other monsters. Some days you just make soup.
Topic starter
Posted : July 24, 2010 5:00 pm
New series, huh? Hope they don't spoil it, it has a lot of potential
Have to say that I was very disappointed in the movie; bad acting, bad lines, zero character development, and a lot of things were left unexplained that wouldn't have made sense to someone who hadn't seen the cartoon. Also I found the characters to be very different from the ones in the cartoon:
I'm introducing my little sister to the series now, she nearly falls off her seat laughing. So fun 
"Don't answer to Twinkletoes, it's not manly!" ~Katara
Posted : July 24, 2010 7:33 pm
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