The Last Airbender (2D)

Just like with any adaption, I had high hopes for this film. Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to what I expected.

If you are a fan of the TV series on which this movie was based, then you will probably agree with me. The first half of this film rushed through the entire first season’s storyline, hitting the major points and leaving the minor stuff behind. M Night Shyamalan is one of my favorite directors, but I don’t really like the way he adapted this series (and the way they pronounce Avatar and Ang is totally wrong…).

The visuals were amazing, and the acting was great, too. I did like how the movie included all the good things in a film: action, friendship, fear, betrayal, redemption, and even a little romance. There wasn’t really much spiritual content, so there was mot much to judge on that level.

I may have enjoyed it a little more in 3D, but my position is, if it doesn’t work in 2D, it doesn’t really work as a film.

All in all, I did enjoy the film (though it seemed long). I probably wouldn’t go again (unless it was free…), but I may want to see it again on DVD.

Rating:

Acting: *****

Script: ***

Score/Soundtrack: ****

Special Effects/Visuals: *****

Length: ***

Holiness Level: ****

Overall: *** "Go, Matinée"

The Twilight Sage: Eclipse

The Twilight books were great; the films, not as much. Stephanie Meyers' writing style is not easily captured by a camera lens. She lets you inside her characters' heads. That is something filmakers cannot easily achieve.

In Eclipse, the same rule applies. Most of the dialog scenes were just boring. Part of that was the horrid script, part of it was the lack of acting. Don't get me wrong, there were some great scenes with good actors (namely Jackson Rathborn, BooBoo Stewart, Billy Burke), but there were also bad ones as well. Kristin Stewart is a decent actress, but as Bella, I think she does a poor job. She does not convey Bella's emotions very well. The script didn't help either. It seems Jacob is always mad, and Edward is always about to cry (of course, Robert Pattinson contributes to that a lot...). Also, Victoria looked a little like a clown...

The visual effects were great, however, and I only saw a few places I didn't like. The wolves all looked stunning, as well as each vampire's eyes. The fight scenes were really cool (I thought) and the end where *SPOILER ALERT* Edward kills Victoria was really amazing!*End Spoiler*. I also thought it neat that Jasper had a slight southern accent, being from Texas and all. Yes it was slight (or for us Southerners, anyway), but I think it lent a lot to his character.

All in all, I enjoyed the movie and wouldn't mind seeing it again, but with a remote this time, so I could fast-forward through all the crap!

Rating:

Acting: ***

Script: ***

Score/Soundtrack: ***

Special Effects/Visuals: *****

Length: ****

Holiness Level: ***

Overall: ***1/2 "Go."