Avatar: The Podcast

M. Night Shyamalan’s The Last Airbender

Sep 25, 2020

Guest: M. Night Shyamalan, Filmmaker known for directing The Sixth Sense and Signs. In this episode, the hosts discuss M. Night Shyamalan's movie adaptation of The Last Airbender, highlighting the lack of twists compared to his other works. They criticize the inconsistency in the visual representation of firebenders and the absence of humor in the movie. The speakers also discuss the portrayal of characters, inconsistencies and changes in the movie adaptation, and dilution of the reasoning behind Zuko's banishment.

01:25:21

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Episode guests

M. Night Shyamalan

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

The casting in the movie is predominantly white, which is offensive and shows a disregard for the source material.

The bending in the movie lacks precision and connection to the elements, impairing the believability and impact of the action.

The excessive narration and exposition in the movie undermine important moments and characters' agency, removing their impact.

Many characters in the movie lack depth and deviate from the source material, particularly Sokka who loses his humor and strategic nature.

Deep dives

Casting and Whitewashing

The casting in the movie is predominantly white, which is jarring when placed next to the ethnically accurate indigenous extras. This lack of representation is offensive and shows a disregard for the source material.

Introduction

2min

Gratitude and Discussion on Cooking Abilities

2min

Perks of Firebending and Teaser for a New Pin

2min

M. Night Shyamalan's Storytelling Style

18min

Inconsistency in Firebenders' Visual Representation

17min

Lack of Humor in 'The Last Airbender'

8min

Discussion on Fang, the Spirit Dragon, and the Portrayal of Characters in The Last Airbender

2min

Inconsistencies and Changes in 'The Last Airbender' Movie Adaptation

10min

The Watered-Down Reasoning behind Zuko's Banishment

19min

10.

Opinions, Hiatus, and Future Content Announcement

5min

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M. Night Shyamalan’s The Last Airbender

Acorn and Greg take on M. Night Shyamalan’s 2010 blockbuster and discuss the things they like, the things they can’t stand, and draw comparisons between the movie and the show. Will Greg and Acorn make it through in one piece? Find out on this episode of Avatar: The Podcast!

Purchase episodes of Avatar: The Last Airbender on Prime video.

Comics below by rufftoon.

Firebenders comic strips