Aang the Last Airbender

You may have already seen and heard everything there is to see and hear about Aang. The leak earlier this year colored everyone’s view of the film and I managed to avoid all of it. I refused to participate in the degradation and disrespect to the artists that worked on it. A leak like this does cost people money because when something like that happens; 1) the whole production gets tainted, anyone that worked on it is now suspect and will cause hesitation in hiring going forward. And 2) this was supposed to be a trilogy of films, for which most of the artists would have been hired back. If the financial hit was big enough from the leak, they would cut those next to films from the slate - costing artists jobs. 

I understand that the average person actually has 0 idea how the industry works but the lack of being able to think through the consequences of an action as a grown adult is deeply disturbing. And I’m choosing to believe that’s what it is because the only other option was you did think about it. You know you're costing people their livelihoods and you simply don’t care. So it's stupidity or cruelty and I’m not jiving with either. 

The film got a screening at San Diego Comic Con and that is where I got to see it. 

I am going to start by saying that all the reviews that came out after this movie was leaked were dead wrong and if you let their negativity sway you from seeing the film, you better go watch it. Stop listening to stupid people who have ZERO clue how anything works. 

This film is exactly what we needed to fill out this world. A lot of people who didn’t like Korra didn't love how big the time jump was. We were missing a lot of time and progression from the the end of the original show to Korra. So it was nice to have something that helps fill that gap.

We know Zuko is firelord (and he looks super hot, my childhood crush is absolutely intact). Aang and Katara are still together, and Toph has started training other earthbenders to metal bend. Our characters are not only exactly where we would expect them to be but their characterization was perfect. The sarcasm, the banter, the jokes all landed with the same charm that they always have. 

I was in a room full of fans, watching the thing that they love and I can tell you with absolute certainty that actual fans of Avatar loved the movie. My favorite part was hearing all of the little kids giggling and cheering with the crowd. I watched this series as a child and I love that these characters are still entertaining and delighting children. 

The film was a perfect balance between nostalgia and new storytelling. From a Zutara nod to the cabbage man the film captivated the audience with the same fervor the show always did. We got to go on an emotional journey with Aang, Dave Bautista plays arguably the hottest bender we’ve ever seen, and it feels like home while still being fully accessible to new fans. 

The original shows core was always Aang’s ideals, and the power of friendship having the ability to bring unity and peace and those were very much the themes of this film as well. Proving that the creative team really knew why they were making these films. Not only to fill out the universe but to continue sending the message that the world can be a better place but it starts with you and the people you surround yourself with.