Last Airbender, The (11/16/2010)

Rated PG for fantasy action violence.

Directed by M. Night Shyamalan (The Sixth Sense, Signs and The Happening)

Starring Noah Ringer, Jackson Rathbone and
Nicola Peltz

A very Un-M. Night Shyamalan film.

The world is divided into four kingdoms, each represented by the element they control, and peace has lasted throughout the realms of Water, Air, Earth, and Fire under the supervision of the Avatar, a link to the spirit world and the only being capable of mastering the use of all four elements. When the young Avatar Aang disappears, the Fire Nation launches an attack to eradicate all members of the Air Nomads to prevent interference in their future plans for world domination. Can Aang defeat the fire nation and eventually fulfill his destiny of once again restoring peace to the world?

My first thought as the credits rolled was, “Who is going to see this movie?” I mean there are some pretty intense action scenes and themes that clearly were intended for adults, but the story and dialogue were clearly intended for younger audiences. The problem is those things may be enough to keep the other away from the theater.

The special effects and director are the major selling points here. I can’t complain about the effects but I’m still trying to figure out why M. Night Shyamalan is attached to this film. With films like The Sixth Sense, Signs and The Happening this is a real departure from his normal work.

The cast were mostly fresh faces and were ok. No real stand-outs or memorable performances.

I was really hoping to be blown away, but I was left scratching my head wondering what all the hype was about. It’s entertaining enough to earn a Rental, but that’s it.

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
There is nothing inappropriate or offensive in the Last Airbender. It’s a PG film that may be a hit with preteens boys.

Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):

Q: What was the theme (or the message) of this movie?

A: The Last Airbender was essentially an unheard of young boy…who had a significant destiny upon his shoulders. Like him, you and I might be young and/or unheard of, but we still have a very special task to accomplish.

But we’re not the only ones who have had to assume huge responsibilities at a young age.

Q: How should we – as serious Christ-followers — react to this movie?

A: There will be many times in life, even when we’re young, to model courage…or cower away in fear. If we learn anything from this film, it’s that we have to model courage, no matter how difficult the situation looks.

In 1 Samuel 17, a young shepherd boy confronts a giant on the field of battle in a winner takes all fight to the death. Read the story for yourself, but don’t glaze over David’s courage (in verses 32 through 38):

32 David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”

33 Saul replied, “You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth.”

34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant has been keeping his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear came and carried off a sheep from the flock, 35 I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it. 36 Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God. 37 The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”

Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you.”

We must model courage as well, and stand up when God expects big things from us.

Q: How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?

A: It’s easy to miss over simple ways to be courageous in our walk with Jesus. Maybe we don’t see them because we’re really afraid, or maybe we don’t see them because we’re not really looking for opportunities to be used by God in big ways.

How about reaching out to a hurting friend? Maybe someone who just experienced a loss or a major setback….

How about sitting with a student at lunch who has no friends? Maybe a new person….

Perhaps we might share our faith with someone we know is living away from God? Maybe we need to sign up for the mission trip.

Whatever it is, we need to be courageous and accept the responsibility God is trying to give us.