Cannot understand the hate for this film - The Last Airbender (2010) Discussion

[–] Zoopi_Lala 8 years ago

The script is horrendous. The dialogue is some of the most stilted, awkward writing I've ever heard.

For example, let's look at that opening text crawl:

"A hundred years ago, all was right with our world. Prosperity and peace filled our days. The Four Nations: water, earth, fire and Air Nomads lived amongst each other in harmony. Great respect was afforded to all those who could bend their natural element. The Avatar was the only person born amongst all the nations who could master all four elements. He was the only one who could communicate with the Spirit World. With the Spirits' guidance, the Avatar kept balance in the world. And then, a hundred years ago, he just disappeared."

The conventional phrase "peace and prosperity" is awkwardly swapped around for no reason; the list of Nations is inconsistently structured (with the nation of Air being described with two words instead of one); the word "afforded" is used in a strange context when a simpler word like "given" would suffice; and the phrase "only (...) who could" is repeated.

Another example! Let's look at Katara and Aang's first conversation:

Katara: How'd you get all the way out here?

This is a brash, cold, unrealistic conversation starter. No “Hello?” No “How are you feeling?” No greeting of any kind?

Aang: I ran away from home. We got in a storm. We were forced under the water of the ocean.
Katara: Oh, I see.

How the hell does Katara "see" what Aang means by that!? There are a dozen questions she should be asking right now, like: "Wasn’t the ocean frozen solid?" "How did you create that ice sphere?" "How did you survive for so long in sub-zero temperatures in nothing but a robe?" "What’s that giant bison thingy you were frozen with?" "Where is your home?" "What’s your ****ing name?"

Aang: It wasn't very smart. I was just upset. Thanks for saving me.
Katara: Lucky.
Aang: I probably should get home. They'll all be worried.
Katara: You're not still upset?
Aang: Not as much as I was.

The average sentence length in this exchange is FOUR WORDS. And there are EIGHT SENTENCES. As a result, the entire conversation is slow, stilted, and unnatural.

* * * * *

I could go on all day, but hopefully I've made my point. This movie is poorly written, plain and simple. Of course, the acting is also pretty unconvincing ("So... Aare yoo, the arvatar, Arhng?") and the SFX are mediocre at best (the floating ball of water produced by Katara in the first shot of the movie is leaking water dramatically, but the ball stays exactly the same size). However, I could forgive most of those issues if Shyamalan presented me with an emotionally engaging story. He did not.

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[–] Xumuon 8 years ago

Expectations help. I wasn't expecting anything. I took it and enjoyed it as a children's picture. It was an engaging fantasy adventure.

To be reasonable a 6/10 should be it's score, i gave it 7.

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[–] WeirdRaptor 8 years ago

Considering the brilliant source material, you shouldn't settle for less in the adaptation.

"All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to you." -Gandalf

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[–] Link6321 8 years ago

by Xumuon » 2 days ago (Wed Jan 20 2016 12:31:02)

Expectations help. I wasn't expecting anything. I took it and enjoyed it as a children's picture. It was an engaging fantasy adventure.

The thing is, the Nickelodeon cartoon was also "meant for children," yet it still managed to pull in audiences that were beyond its target demographic. That's where the disappointment comes in. The cartoon managed to cater to both children and adults, yet the film didn't.

You are right in that IF we strictly just take the film as "a children's picture," then maybe its quality might have been passable. However, at the same time, using that justification is kind of insulting to children. That something that's meant for them need to be dull and contrived in order for them to enjoy it. The cartoon wasn't dull and contrived; in fact, it had real depth and it was rich in mythology, and they still enjoyed it. So where was all of that in the film?

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[–] spookyrat1 8 years ago

I could go on all day ...

No please do. You must have another 5 or 6 hours to spare to analyse average sentence length.

... and the SFX are mediocre at best (the floating ball of water produced by Katara in the first shot of the movie is leaking water dramatically, but the ball stays exactly the same size).

LOL! Let me guess. You froze the image and pulled out your trusty tape measure to verify this incredible "gotcha" moment.

However, I could forgive most of those issues if Shyamalan presented me with an emotionally engaging story.

With posts such as yours as evidence, he obviously got you engaged in doing something.🐭

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[–] Zoopi_Lala 8 years ago

No please do. You must have another 5 or 6 hours to spare to analyse average sentence length.

That post only took me about thirty minutes.

LOL! Let me guess. You froze the image and pulled out your trusty tape measure to verify this incredible "gotcha" moment.

No. I just looked at it.

With posts such as yours as evidence, he obviously got you engaged in doing something.

I'm not sure what you're implying. Yes, the film got me engaged in explaining to others why I think it's atrocious. That just further proves how little I enjoyed it.

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[–] Mattfinbell 8 years ago

Me either the actor was good and he looked like aang

Zoopi_Lala

Another example! Let's look at Katara and Aang's first conversation:

Katara: How'd you get all the way out here?

This is a brash, cold, unrealistic conversation starter. No “Hello?” No “How are you feeling?” No greeting of any kind?

and the conversation with Harry and Siruis is better I cant wait to walk the halls of hogwarts as a free MAN!!!

I could go on all day, but hopefully I've made my point. This movie is poorly written, plain and simple. Of course, the acting is also pretty unconvincing ("So... Aare yoo, the arvatar, Arhng?") and the SFX are mediocre at best (the floating ball of water produced by Katara in the first shot of the movie is leaking water dramatically, but the ball stays exactly the same size). However, I could forgive most of those issues if Shyamalan presented me with an emotionally engaging story. He did not.[/quote]

not really you just want to hate the film since the actor isnt yellow like how you think he should look like.

Oh whats wrong with the water ball? why shouldnt it leak it shows its water hello

If it didnt have leaking water you would have said its a balloon

Look like Tarzan talk like Jane! HAHA

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[–] spookyrat1 8 years ago

Oh whats wrong with the water ball? why shouldnt it leak it shows its water hello

If it didnt have leaking water you would have said its a balloon

Precisely!🐭

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[–] Zoopi_Lala 8 years ago

and the conversation with Harry and Siruis is better

Uh. Wut. I didn't say anything about Harry Potter.

Aang and Katara's conversation is terribly written. The quality of a different conversation in a different movie won't change that.

not really you just want to hate the film since the actor isnt yellow like how you think he should look like.

I don't think Aang should look yellow and that's not the reason I hate the film. The reason I hate the film was clearly explained above: "The script is horrendous. The dialogue is some of the most stilted, awkward writing I've ever heard."

Maybe next time you post, you could actually respond to the argument I made instead of making the baseless assertion that I support the "racism" argument?

Oh whats wrong with the water ball? why shouldnt it leak it shows its water hello

"the floating ball of water produced by Katara in the first shot of the movie is leaking water dramatically, but the ball stays exactly the same size"

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[–] Mattfinbell 8 years ago

Zoopi_Lala
and the conversation with Harry and Siruis is better
Uh. Wut. I didn't say anything about Harry Potter.

Aang and Katara's conversation is terribly written. The quality of a different conversation in a different movie won't change that.

How?

not really you just want to hate the film since the actor isnt yellow like how you think he should look like.
I don't think Aang should look yellow and that's not the reason I hate the film. The reason I hate the film was clearly explained above: "The script is horrendous. The dialogue is some of the most stilted, awkward writing I've ever heard."

Maybe next time you post, you could actually respond to the argument I made instead of making the baseless assertion that I support the "racism" argument?

whatever

Look like Tarzan talk like Jane! HAHA

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[–] Zoopi_Lala 8 years ago

How?

I explained in my first post, but I'll copy and paste:

***

Katara: How'd you get all the way out here?

This is a brash, cold, unrealistic conversation starter. No “Hello?” No “How are you feeling?” No greeting of any kind?

Aang: I ran away from home. We got in a storm. We were forced under the water of the ocean.
Katara: Oh, I see.

How the hell does Katara "see" what Aang means by that!? There are a dozen questions she should be asking right now, like: "Wasn’t the ocean frozen solid?" "How did you create that ice sphere?" "How did you survive for so long in sub-zero temperatures in nothing but a robe?" "What’s that giant bison thingy you were frozen with?" "Where is your home?" "What’s your ****ing name?"

Aang: It wasn't very smart. I was just upset. Thanks for saving me.
Katara: Lucky.
Aang: I probably should get home. They'll all be worried.
Katara: You're not still upset?
Aang: Not as much as I was.

The average sentence length in this exchange is FOUR WORDS. And there are EIGHT SENTENCES. As a result, the entire conversation is slow, stilted, and unnatural.

***

whatever

What a well-reasoned response!

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[–] Mattfinbell 8 years ago

Zoopi_Lala
How?
I explained in my first post, but I'll copy and paste:

***

Katara: How'd you get all the way out here?

This is a brash, cold, unrealistic conversation starter. No “Hello?” No “How are you feeling?” No greeting of any kind?

Oh she proably was like thinking who is this person and a little scared so she did seem brash and cold. She doesnt know him and he could be dangerous if a stranger entered your home you would say HELLO

I dont think SO

[quote]Aang: I ran away from home. We got in a storm. We were forced under the water of the ocean.
Katara: Oh, I see.

How the hell does Katara "see" what Aang means by that!? There are a dozen questions she should be asking right now, like: "Wasn’t the ocean frozen solid?" "How did you create that ice sphere?" "How did you survive for so long in sub-zero temperatures in nothing but a robe?" "What’s that giant bison thingy you were frozen with?" "Where is your home?" "What’s your ****ing name?"

Maybe she was in shock

maybe in her culture she wasnt supposed to ask questions

Aang: It wasn't very smart. I was just upset. Thanks for saving me.
Katara: Lucky.
Aang: I probably should get home. They'll all be worried.
Katara: You're not still upset?
Aang: Not as much as I was.

The average sentence length in this exchange is FOUR WORDS. And there are EIGHT SENTENCES. As a result, the entire conversation is slow, stilted, and unnatural.

maybe for you but in different cultures its somewhat like that. for instance in Japan there is no phyical contact no hugging as it is in america.

***
whatever
What a well-reasoned response!

what else do you want?

maybe Katara and Sokka were taught let Aang tell you his story in time.

maybe just maybe you didnt get the film because you didnt understand it. remember aang was scared of becoming the avatar. If he had told Sokka and Katara at that time he would have lost face.

Look like Tarzan talk like Jane! HAHA

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[–] Zoopi_Lala 8 years ago

Maybe she was in shock

Do you even know what shock is..?

Shock is the event of low blood pressure, typically occuring after a traumatic injury. Its symptoms include sweaty skin, diluted pupils, nausea and dizziness - none of which are shown by Katara. There's also no reason why being in shock would cause Katara to not greet someone, but still ask an articulate question.

maybe in her culture she wasnt supposed to ask questions

Are you... deliberately trying to make bad responses? Katara LITERALLY just asked "How'd you get all the way out here?"

maybe for you but in different cultures its somewhat like that. for instance in Japan there is no phyical contact no hugging as it is in america.

Even if I accepted the hilariously far-fetched proposal that Shyamalan intentionally wrote the dialogue in a stilted manner to create the illusion of a foreign culture, he still failed miserably.

Firstly, Aang and Katara BOTH speak in this stilted, awkward manner, despite being from different cultures. Secondly, if this were truly a cultural thing, Aang and Katara would speak like this the entire film. Instead, they only do it during this single conversation. Finally, several other characters from these cultures (the grandmother and Monk Gyatso, for example) don't speak in this way.

what else do you want?

A well-reasoned response?

maybe Katara and Sokka were taught let Aang tell you his story in time.

Then why did Katara JUST ASK HIM how he got out there?

maybe just maybe you didnt get the film because you didnt understand it.

Maybe. Maybe not. But until you can find some evidence that it's my problem and not the movie's, I'll dismiss your claim as meaningless drivel.

remember aang was scared of becoming the avatar. If he had told Sokka and Katara at that time he would have lost face.

Katara still would've asked him if that were the case. Aang simply wouldn't have responded.

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[–] Mattfinbell 8 years ago

Zoopi_Lala
Maybe she was in shock
Do you even know what shock is..?

Shock is the event of low blood pressure, typically occuring after a traumatic injury. Its symptoms include sweaty skin, diluted pupils, nausea and dizziness - none of which are shown by Katara. There's also no reason why being in shock would cause Katara to not greet someone, but still ask an articulate question.

So when a person is in doesnt have those symptoms then its not shock RIGHT?

maybe in her culture she wasnt supposed to ask questions
Are you... deliberately trying to make bad responses? Katara LITERALLY just asked "How'd you get all the way out here?"

oh NO I am asking since in Japan CHina your not supposed to lose face.

maybe for you but in different cultures its somewhat like that. for instance in Japan there is no phyical contact no hugging as it is in america.
Even if I accepted the hilariously far-fetched proposal that Shyamalan intentionally wrote the dialogue in a stilted manner to create the illusion of a foreign culture, he still failed miserably.

 How did he fail? Even when he said he was ASIAN people still hate him

Firstly, Aang and Katara BOTH speak in this stilted, awkward manner, despite being from different cultures. Secondly, if this were truly a cultural thing, Aang and Katara would speak like this the entire film. Instead, they only do it during this single conversation. Finally, several other characters from these cultures (the grandmother and Monk Gyatso, for example) speak in this way

and how again is that WRONG???

what else do you want?
A well-reasoned response?

Thats what I tried to give you

maybe Katara and Sokka were taught let Aang tell you his story in time.
Then why did Katara JUST ASK HIM how he got out there?

I DONT KNOW why the *beep* do people think when dobby died that was the *beep* greatest death scene there is! If you read the books you would realize we see dobby through out the series so when his death comes its more of a shock in the movie he just appears

maybe just maybe you didnt get the film because you didnt understand it.
Maybe. Maybe not. But until you can find some evidence that it's my problem and not the movie's, I'll dismiss your claim as meaningless drivel.

Okay good bye dont bother responding I have wasted enough time trying to understand you and to help you understand this FILM I am through done finite

remember aang was scared of becoming the avatar. If he had told Sokka and Katara at that time he would have lost face.
Katara still would've asked him if that were the case. Aang simply wouldn't have responded.

aang was scared and dont bother responding since i will have you ignore good bye

Look like Tarzan talk like Jane! HAHA

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[–] Zoopi_Lala 8 years ago

So when a person is in doesnt have those symptoms then its not shock RIGHT?

Er... yes. Exactly. When a person does not have those symptoms (or low blood pressure), it literally cannot be shock.

oh NO I am asking since in Japan CHina your not supposed to lose face.

Firstly, Katara is not from a culture that resembles Japan or China in any way so your statement is irrelevant. Secondly, asking Aang any of the questions I suggested would not cause Katara to "lose face".

How did he fail?

I explained in the following paragraph. It looked like this: "Firstly, Aang and Katara BOTH speak in this stilted, awkward manner, despite being from different cultures. Secondly, if this were truly a cultural thing, Aang and Katara would speak like this the entire film. Instead, they only do it during this single conversation. Finally, several other characters from these cultures (the grandmother and Monk Gyatso, for example) don't speak in this way."

and how again is that WRONG???

The three facts I presented - (1) Aang and Katara BOTH speak in this way (2) Aang and Katara only speak this way for one scene (3) other people form their cultures don't speak this way - directly contradict your claim that the stilted, awkward writing was a cultural thing. Hence, either Shyamalan DID write this one scene to be cultural and contradicted himself for the rest of the movie (bad writing), or Shyamalan DIDN'T write this one scene to be cultural in which case the stilted, awkward dialogue is just that (bad writing). Either way, bad writing.

I DONT KNOW why the *beep* do people think when dobby died that was the *beep* greatest death scene there is! If you read the books you would realize we see dobby through out the series so when his death comes its more of a shock in the movie he just appears

lolwut..? What does Dobby's death have to do with Katara and Aang's conversation? Do you just randomly spout complaints about the Harry Potter movies when you don't have an actual response?

Okay good bye dont bother responding

If you want this conversation to end, then YOU can stop responding.

I have wasted enough time trying to understand you

What parts of my posts have you not understood?

and to help you understand this FILM

What parts of the film do I not understand?

aang was scared

That shouldn't effect what Katara says.

and dont bother responding since i will have you ignore good bye

Okay, goodbye.

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[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] manchof1 8 years ago

Most of the haters are fans of the TV show or think good acting alone makes a good film, I manage to laugh at the dumb parts and get pumped when James Newton Howard's score kicks in.

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