Geeky Movie Day

Despite waking up with a nervous feeling trembling in my belly, I had a very pleasant day. I purposefully made every effort to remain calm today, and it worked. I don't feel nervous or edgy. I also didn't accomplish anything, but who's counting?

I did watch a couple movies today, interspersed with WAY to much Ocarina of Time 3D. (Great game, btw!)

While home alone, I tried to (once again) watch the movie adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Wow. Can I say, SO MUCH FAIL? Shannon and I started it last night, and made it through about 3 minutes before turning it off. I tried to muscle through some more today, only to fail miserably.

There are not words enough in the dictionary to describe the awfulness of this movie. Set aside the horrible, teeth-jarring hack job without anesthetic they did on the heart of the Avatar story, this is just a bad movie.

FOR EVIDENCE! I would like to submit THESE comics, made by an artist who worked on the actual animated series herself:
Comic 1
Comic 2
Comic 3
Comic 4
Comic 5
Comic 6

Don't be dismayed by their many-ness! They are fun to read AND educational! I honestly could not believe the ... inadequacy of this movie. It starts with a black screen ... quickly filled by tiny, tiny scrolling words. Think "Star Wars," but too small to read, to many to read, and voiced over by someone who has the emotional range of my pet rock - and I don't even OWN a pet rock!

Sadly, this was not an unusual occurrence for the film. While I only made it through the first 43 minutes, Katara had TWO more looooong voice-over, explain-ey dialouges. Voice overs and dialogues are not film, people. That is story-reading, an art form with it's own very special place, but NOT on film.

Many other decisions for the movie seemed to weaken it as well. Fire benders could not make their own fire. SERIOUSLY, what is the point? Just douse the surrounding fires. If that were true, water benders would have NO trouble with fire benders at all, ever. Also, the continuous dance moves in the film to get even a small "bending" to happen were ridiculous! Not only did they look STUPID (in the animation, the bending is beautiful to watch), but it made bending into a non-powerful, non-threatening martial art. It would be quicker and stronger to attack with weapons or other traditional martial arts.

Their explanations of many important elements of the series, why Aang ran away, why Zuko searches for him, what the Fire Nation's goals are ... were confusing, and weakening to the characters.

In the series, Aang ran away from home temporarily after the pressure of being the Avatar NOW was too much for him. He was only 12, and was SUPPOSED to be told when he was 16. In the movie, it's explained that "I could never have a family. It's a sacrifice every Avatar must make." I'm sure that will be a surprise to Avatar Roku, Aang's predecesor, who had a wife, and told Aang, "Being Avatar helps with the ladies!"

It may be interesting to note that the sequel to the animated series has the new Avatar, Korra, learning air bending from Aang's, son. Hmm.

The Fire Nation's goals are to crush all other forms of bending. I thought it was to DOMINATE THE EARTH. (Much scarier, ne?)

In any case, enough ranting about that movie. I may try to finish it sometime, but for now, I've thought enough about it! I do HIGHLY recommend the original series. If you've seen the movie without the series ... well, there aren't words for what you're missing! Watch it. You'll love it. <3

The other movie I saw today was Deathly Hallows Part 2. I was very impressed with the choice to split the last book into two movies. It really was FAAAR too much information to stuff into a mere three hours. (Something the producers of Avatar could learn from - oh forget it.)

I went with my best friend Caleb, and his two siblings who are ALSO my dear friends, Micah and Jordan. We had a good time. It was a very INTENSE movie! I held Caleb's hand from TERROR almost the entire time, and about half way through, I leaned over to Jo and said "I could use an intermission!!!" But it was amazing.

I cried several times. Even though I knew what would "happen," I still cried. I also didn't look a few times because it was too scary for me. Voldemort walking through the pools of blood at the bank, for example ... No thank you! (Although I understand that was necessary for story telling. BUT ARRRRGH!)

This culmination of the loooong story was ... everything it should be. It was EXHAUSTING to watch because of the emotional tension through the film, but worth it. The acting was impeccable. (Yay, British actors!) The emotions on screen were truly believable, and were so powerful and personal, they just drew me in.

My favorite part was Neville's speech to Voldemort near the end. What a perfect summation of his growth as a character from his first appearance as a picked on, bullied class fool. It was so well done. Rallying speeches like that can go so wrong, and sound so cheesy and false, but this was beautiful. I cried. (I also really like Neville ANYWAY.)

Seeing the characters "19 years later" was AMAZING. They did such an incredible job with the makeup. I was shocked. I was wondering how they were going to manage that without making it seem "make-up" like, but the actors looked totally normal and ... well ... OLD!

Snape's ending in the movie was just, and beautiful and just right. As Micah said, it was "really cool" to see the actor show more of his emotional repertoire than just "I AM SNAPE. SNAPE. SEVERUS SNAPE." I cried. (This seems to be happening a lot.)

I was really glad they included Mrs. Weasley's duel with Bellatrix. It was one of the few specific battle moments they chose to show, and it ... was so well done. I felt like cheering. (Just like I did in the book!)

It was an excellent culmination of an amazing book-to-movie series. I was thoroughly impressed, and thoroughly enjoyed myself. (Although I think the hand I was clutching enjoyed the movie being over.)

That said, I have now drunk some calming tea with creamer, and am now off to bed! I shall enjoy sleeping immensely.

Cheerio!

~Istra~