The Last Airbender Parent Guide
Something is missing. Whatever the reason, this lack of rise and fall may prove disappointing for those looking for an action-adventure rollercoaster.
Parent Movie Review
One hundred years ago, the nations of Air, Water, Earth and Fire lived in peace. In each kingdom were people of exceptional powers who were able to control and manipulate their respective elements. But then the Fire Nation began to burn for dominance. First they attacked the nomads of the Air, to insure they did not give birth to an Avatar—an individual capable of mastering all four elements. Then they began enslaving the citizens of Water and Earth, killing any who possessed the art of "bending".
Even though Katara (Nicola Peltz) and her brother Sokka (Jackson Rathbone) live in a remote and snow covered corner of the world, the threat of the Fire Nation is ever present—especially after she finds she has a talent for bending water.
Then one day while out hunting, the pair stumbles upon a human figure frozen within a ball of ice. When Katara impetuously frees and revives the curiously tattooed boy, she is unaware that she is actually releasing Aang (Noah Ringer), the long lost Avatar. And his return doesn’t stay a secret very long.
Prince Zuko (Dev Patel), the disgraced son of the king of the Fire Nation, can think of no better way to redeem his honor than to capture the Avatar. Unfortunately, his father’s ambitious commander (Aasif Mandvi) also believes taking Aang as a prisoner will insure a promotion. Many battles ensue as the two compete for the prize. These martial arts conflicts feature weapons and hand-to-hand combat that are intricately choreographed and often played in slow motion.
Meanwhile, twelve-year-old Aang is a little unsure of his destiny. Afraid of the responsibility associated with his powerful role and not completely trained to carry it out, he looks to his newfound friends for support. And Katara and Sokka willingly join him on a voyage of discovery that will lead them across the globe searching for teachers (both mortal and spirital) who still know the secrets of bending, so he can one day restore balance to the people and elements.
Based on an animated TV series produced by Nickelodeon (the movie covers the first season, which was titled Book One: Water) this live action version will likely be appreciated by fans. Certainly the quality of the production is top notch, with amazing special effects. Parents too will find little fault with the sanitized portrayals of violence. (Despite all the battles there is no blood except for a cut lip and only a few characters appear to die.) Sexual content is limited to a kiss, and foul language is non-existent. Those sensitive to religious depictions should be aware that the script includes eastern philosophies and references to reincarnation.
Yet something is missing. Somehow the characters and the storyline remain flat regardless of the continuous conflicts and perilous moments (a surprise seeing how M. Night Shyamalan of The Sixth Sense fame directed and penned the screenplay). Perhaps it is because the plot speeds along, seldom stopping to build emotion. Or maybe there just isn’t a sense of escalation between war scenes. Whatever the reason, this lack of rise and fall may prove disappointing for those looking for an action-adventure rollercoaster.
Directed by M. Night Shyamalan. Starring Noah Ringer, Nicola Peltz, Dev Patel, Jackson Rathbone. Running time: 103 minutes. Theatrical release July 1, 2010. Updated July 20, 2016
The Last Airbender
Rating & Content Info
Why is The Last Airbender rated PG? The Last Airbender is rated PG by the MPAA for fantasy action violence.
Violence: Frequent battles are depicted using martial arts techniques, various primitive weapons and supernatural powers, however only one person appears to be killed in them and few are seen injured. People the Fire Nation has killed in the past are mentioned, and one of these characters is seen alive in flashbacks. Human skeletons are portrayed. A brief shot shows blood on a man’s face. A person is asked to sacrifice their life for the good of others. People are imprisoned because of their ability to bend elements. Some supernatural creatures are depicted. Characters are often in peril.
Sexual: A brief kiss is shown.
Language: No profanities were noted.
Drugs/Alcohol: No drug or alcohol use or depictions were noted.
Page last updated July 20, 2016
The Last Airbender Parents' Guide
The Avatar is told he should not kill or injure anyone. What circumstances make this hard for him? What lengths does he go to in order to keep this covenant? Do characters in movies typically keep such promises?
In the world in which they live, each of the characters is told they were born for a reason and must seek their destiny. How do you feel about the concept of “destiny?” Do you believe you have a life mission to find and fulfill?
Home Video
The most recent home video release of The Last Airbender movie is November 16, 2010. Here are some details…
On November 16, 2010, The Last Airbender releases on DVD and Blu-ray. Both the single disc DVD and Blu-ray version of the movie offer these bonus extras:
Origins of the Avatar
Deleted Scenes: Talk to the Dead, Water Teaches Us Emotion, Water Tribe Battle and Field Ablaze.
Gag Reel
The Last Airbender also releases in a Two-Disc Special Edition Blu-ray. This edition includes:
- Feature Film on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Copy
- Nine -part Documentary: Discovering The Last Airbender
- Inspirations Co-creators of the show and M. Night Shyamalan give insight into the inner journey the characters take
- Spirituality Explore the deeper spirituality that colors The Last Airbender
Heroes Aang, Katara and Sokka journey together to save the world; behind-the-scenes piece provides a closer look at these characters and the actors
- Greenland With sub-zero shoots on glaciers and frozen rivers just a few hundred miles from the North Pole, travel with the filmmakers to Greenland to meet the locals and experience the magnificent landscapes captured for the powerful opening of the film
- World The sets, props, costumes and make-up that helped bring to life four unique nations in the film, each with a distinct look and style
- Action With the films bending rooted in Martial Arts, uncover Shyamalans process with Noah Ringer to create complex, heart-pounding action sequences
- Effects Closer look at the jaw-dropping cinematography and special effects that were created to blend seamlessly with ILMs computer generated imagery
- Music Longtime creative collaboration between M. Night Shyamalan and composer James Newton Howard is celebrated in the films sweeping score
- Finale The journey culminates in one breathtaking moment on the ice wall
Featurettes: Siege of the North, Origins of the Avatar and Katara for a Day
- Deleted Scenes
- Gag Reel
- Avatar Annotations (Picture-in-picture on select scenes)
Related home video titles:
This live-action adaptation features a lone character with a huge responsibility, similar to the position of Frodo in the Lord of the Rings franchise. In the family-friendly Kung Fu Panda, another group of desperate citizens looking for a "chosen one" to save their world.
Because the Nickelodeon animated TV series upon which this movie is based is titled: Avatar: The Last Airbender, this film is likely to be confused with the James Cameron’s 3D epic Avatar.