Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

Arts & Entertainment

Weekend Movie Forecast: <em>The Last Airbender</em> Vs. <em>Eclipse</em>

By

Robert Horan

Published Jul 2, 2010

Modified Jul 2, 2010

Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail

Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .

Oh M. Night Shyamalan, how long have we been trying to defend you? American film reviewers were praying you'd be the next Spielberg and fill that summer void that hasn't been quite filled since. Intellectuals sometimes even slum it and attempt to legitimize your movies ("Unbreakable was actually a pretty interesting portrait of the failure of the nuclear family in contemporary America"). Well, we can all stop because today sees the release of The Last Airbender, and it looks like it's open season for Shyamalans.To say that this film is getting bad reviews is a bit generous; its reviews are closer in feel to articles on the BP Spill than your typical summer fare. Keith Phipps from The A.V. Club says: "Where to start with this one? How about this: If any movie ever warranted a class-action lawsuit against the filmmakers, it’s The Last Airbender. Not because it’s a terrible movie—though it is—but because its release as a 3-D film becomes false advertising a few seconds after a comin’-atcha gush of water appears behind the Paramount logo. From there, it becomes painfully obvious—even more painfully obvious than in Alice In Wonderland—that a few 3-D elements have been added to satisfy the current 3-D craze, and the higher ticket prices they allow. "The Last Airbender isn’t that much different from the rest of this summer’s generally dire multiplex fare—from The A-Team to Jonah Hex—which started with established properties and half-decent ideas, then cranked up the volume, velocity, and effects to the point where neither sense nor tender moments could escape. But it is remarkable in one respect: It’s the worst of them."

 

Gothamist

View all 10

By

Robert Horan

Published Jul 2, 2010

Modified Jul 2, 2010

Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail

We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Click on the film stills above for more details and reviews on this week's new releases and repertory screenings, which include The Last Airbender, Eclipse, The Agony and Ecstasy of Phil Spector, Beautiful Islands, Confessions, Great Directors, Love Ranch, Only When I Dance, Pee-wee's Big Adventure, and Salo or 120 Days of Sodom.

Tagged

movies

new

nyc

Previews

reviews

Robert Horan

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

MORE arts-entertainment

The Knicks are NBA champions. Now they have to start dressing the part.

Before they attempt to fend off LeBron James and the 76ers on Tuesday, the Knicks will have a chance to show off their winning mentality through their tunnel fits.

By

Sonia Rao

Published Oct 19, 2026

Will Barnes and Noble in the East Village spell doom for smaller shops? It's complicated.

Independent booksellers are grappling with whether the big-box chain is a threat or an ally in the fight against Amazon.

By

Sonia Rao

Arts & Entertainment

Will Barnes and Noble in the East Village spell doom for smaller shops? It's complicated.

Independent booksellers are grappling with whether the big-box chain is a threat or an ally in the fight against Amazon.

By

Sonia Rao

Can eligible NYC singles find love with 30 minutes and some really spicy food?

By

Elizabeth Shwe

and

James Ramsay

How the NYC Marathon has changed in the last 50 years

By

Hannah Frishberg

A visit to Art of Play, the Brooklyn store in an animatronic bird beef with Kelly Clarkson

By

Sonia Rao

Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .