THE LAST AIRBENDER

title: THE LAST AIRBENDER

year: 2010

cast: Nicola Peltz

rating: *1/2

M. Night Shyamalan's style is to make good actors sound like robots, working fine for Bruce Willis, Samuel Jackson, Mel Gibson and Joaquin Phoenix in his first three (and only good) films. But when dealing with kids who seem right out of a Nickelodeon sitcom, it's downright embarrassing. Based on a cartoon, the film centers on a child with powers aka The Last Airbender who can master (move around) all the elements: earth, water, air and fire, each with their own nation. The evil Fire Nation wants to control him while two Arctic teenagers want to save him. There's a lot of frantic CGI action but even more dialog; all as bad as the monotone delivery. Let's hope M. Night's hit rock bottom, for then he can't sink any lower. Although this was far more enjoyable (fun to bag on) than THE VILLAGE, LADY IN THE WATER, and THE HAPPENING.