The Last Airbender

Cast: Noah Ringer, Cliff Curtis, Dev Patel, Jackson Rathbone, Nicola Peltz , Director: M Night Shyamalan

Based on Nickelodeon’s TV hit cartoon series “The Last Airbender” is the story of airbender Aang (Noah Ringer), the avatar who helps maintain the balance of life among Fire, Water, Earth and Air nations. When Aang disappears for a 100 years, all the other Airbenders are killed by Fire Lord Ozai (Curtis), who is not satisfied with his enslavement of Earth and Water nations. So, to make sure that no airbender is left, he sends his son Prince Zuko (Patel) to track down Aang. Meanwhile, a frozen Aang is found by the last Waterbender, Katara (Peltz), and her brother, Sokka (Rathbone). Now, the three must find a way to bring back worldly order.

Shyamalan’s adventure with “The Last Airbender” falls short of just being a big flop. It is not clear as to which audience he is catering to. There are in fact no thrilling or humourous moments which are essential in making kids laugh and awestruck. On the other hand “The Last Airbender” also lacks strong characters to please adult movie goers. Over emphasis on visual effects have proved that 3D flicks can still be painfully boring.

The dialogue is one of the worst in any of Shyamalan’s films. It makes even those supposed to be funny moments rigid and still. The only saving grace is little Noah Ringer as the Avatar. Otherwise, “The Last Airbender” is dull.

Robert L Sungte, Deccan Herald

Knight and Day: Love and spies are unpredictable

Cast: Tom Cruise, Cameron Diaz, Peter Sarsgaard , Director: James Mangold

June (Diaz) is an ordinary woman who is set to fly to her sister’s wedding until she ‘accidentally’ gets entangled in a web of cat-and-mouse spy game after meeting ‘rogue agent’ Roy (Cruise). The two are bonded instantly and are chased by FBI agent Fitzgerald (Sarsgaard) and his men over a new invention, a powerful battery and its inventor. As the plot gets thicker June is clueless on whom to trust. Her heart races to be on the right side but finds that she is falling for the hunky Roy who drugged her time and again.

This romantic spy thriller is fresh and most of all cleverly cheerful and playful with the right dose of humour, romance, and violence. Unlike many in its genre, the action sequences are not crude or over-rated, yet the connecting fadeouts connect the progress of the story quite well. This time Tom does a bit of cruising around but the central theme remains focused on Diaz’s character which is a refreshing touch from many male-centric spy flicks.

There is an interesting perspective in characters over mindless action sequences. Tom and Cameron look lovely and they share the chemistry resulting in bright sparks. ‘Knight and Day’ proves to be one good entertainer where action matches with romance and comedy.

Robert L Sungte, Deccan Herald