I've gotta agree -- pretty much my reaction to the same movie. Only slight disagreement I have with you is Iroh -- yes, he had no sense of humor (he didn't have an opportunity to show one, really, they gave him so few lines), but I could believe the actor's interpretation of Iroh as an honest one. The others didn't even seem to be MAKING an interpretation of the characters -- they just seemed to be saying their lines (occasionally shouting or speaking hoarsely when a so-called "emotion" needs to be displayed).
Mm. This is the correct way to put it, how they didn't make an interpretation but again this really does seem to happen a lot with Shyamalan films. But you're right about Uncle Iroh. He did feel honest. So this actor has some dignity left, but he's still written poorly. Also, the bond between Iroh and Zuko isn't as strong in the movie as it is in the show. And maybe what I mean about Iroh missing humor is that it's never really shown that he brings humor to Zuko. In the show even though he didn't want to be happy or have humor, Uncle Iroh forced his way through Zuko's anger, and because of their bond Zuko gave into a smile and a moment of happiness and peace, even if just for a moment, from time to time. And again that shows a different color to Zuko as well. Even though he actually wanted to stay angry, because of his sadness and because of his scar, he subconsciously relishes each moment of happiness. Which is why the tea shop moments happen in Book 2. I think it's Book 2.
You could make a good run of it if you have a three hour runtime; not all of it, of course, but you could get the most important bits easily enough. The trouble is that theaters don't like three hour run times. They never have, but it's only gotten worse; at least in the 80's there were a good number of films coming out with a three hour runtime and a lot of them are now classics. But a three hour runtime means less showtimes in a given day at a theater. This is why ninety minute films became standard for most films and the DVD special edition rose to prominence; usually a good twenty minute's plus is cut from a film because of what the theaters want.
Lord of the Rings lucked out on this; though they still had to cut about an hour of footage.
My point is kind of moot though, because I can't say that I believe the extra time would have helped considering the director; while three hours gives you breathing room, you also have to know how to use the time properly, which is a lot of why M. Night wasn't exactly the best choice I could think of for director.
Yeah, they could've definitely made a run at it with a 3 hour run time, with a different director but, and here's the thing that annoys me, Avatar is labeled a 'kids show' which means movie studios will fight there being too long of a run time for fear of kids losing interest in the movie, and also for more showtimes for more money. To me Avatar is not a kids show it's a family show. There's something for all ages.
But this is something that I forget. When you make a movie, the studio that's producing it can rip something completely apart. The producers could've been responsible for the bad casting (I'm betting they are on this one), and all of the short cuts made to the film. But unfortunately Mr. Shyamalan I don't know if that's true or not and since you are responsible for piecing this together I can only blame you for this horrible mess. Bad Shyamalan. BAD!
I also forgot to mention why I didn't agree with the water bending line "Water bending is about forgiveness. Let your emotions flow." How can you forgive someone if you're letting your emotions flow?
"I'm angry!"
"Let your emotions flow!"
"AAAAAAAHHHHH! WATER BENDING!"
"You killed him."
"You said let my emotions flow."
"But it's about forgiveness."
"Dude, is forgiveness tossing a guy into an ice wall with a pressure canon of water?"
Again it's because they wanted to instill the sense of anti-war. But really each tribe is in war, and although they would not like to be, they will defend themselves with "martial" arts. The anti-war part comes through Aang.
Also, am I the only one who cringed each time they said Aang "Ung"? I understand that that may be how it's written, but it should be pronounced the way they said it in the show, if not for anything other than the fans.
Edited by chouzu_tao, 02 July 2010 - 12:17 PM.
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