Wailing and gnashing of teeth
Liz and Valerie were dismayed on several levels to learn of the upcoming Avatar trilogy. No, they're not talking about James Cameron's computer-animated but also live-action sci-fi insanity that he's been planning for most of his adult life; if only it were so innocuous. Alas, their beloved "Avatar: The Last Airbender" is being brought to the big screen.
Why is this a problem, you ask? Two reasons:
1. It's live action.
2. It's being written, produced and directed by M. Night Shyamalan.
Perhaps our dear M. will, under the capable tutelage of the series writers, be able to distill the glorious essence of the show into an equally glorious film, filled with martial arts madness and an adorable rendering of Appa and Momo. Perhaps somewhere, there is a kid who will not look silly with a shaved head and blue arrow tattoos, and another kid who can totally rock a massive facial scar.
Or perhaps this disaster of epic proportions will die in production hell. Liz and Valerie will accept either alternative, as long as the series doesn't become another Unbreakable or Lady in the Water. Weeping will ensue, rest assured.
Why is this a problem, you ask? Two reasons:
1. It's live action.
2. It's being written, produced and directed by M. Night Shyamalan.
Perhaps our dear M. will, under the capable tutelage of the series writers, be able to distill the glorious essence of the show into an equally glorious film, filled with martial arts madness and an adorable rendering of Appa and Momo. Perhaps somewhere, there is a kid who will not look silly with a shaved head and blue arrow tattoos, and another kid who can totally rock a massive facial scar.
Or perhaps this disaster of epic proportions will die in production hell. Liz and Valerie will accept either alternative, as long as the series doesn't become another Unbreakable or Lady in the Water. Weeping will ensue, rest assured.
4 Comments:
Well, you can always hope Paramount and Fox get into litigation over the name...
Allegedly, Paramount has the rights, but we shall see. I imagine that they could call it "Avatar: The Last Airbender" and the conflict would be resolved. Grr! Argh!
Shyamalan scored big by sealing this deal. It is obvious he signed on willingly in an effort to resurrect himself and his career after less-than-successful string of attempts like 'Lady,' 'Signs' and 'The Village.' Because Avatar has a rabid built-in fan base it is a given that at least the first movie will do very well. Unfortunately what Shyamalan most likely doesn't understand and probably won't realize until it's too late is that he has awakened a dangerously ferocious beast unwittingly. The majority of Avatar fans are NOT the intended 9-14 year old Nickelodeon target audience. Avatar is the only Nickelodeon show with more than 10 independantly run fan websites which have been created and are avidly hit everyday by adults not kids. Avatar is perfection in and of itself. Co-creators Mike DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko have created an entirely new genre in its creation--american anime. Therefore the loyal and devoted fanbase knows Avatar doesn't'need any unnecessary tweaking' or help to making Avatar 'better.' If Shyamalan strays one sentence, one scene, one tiny iota from the original creation...God help him. The Avatar diehards will hunt him down and make sure his next job is asking people if they want fries with their order through a drive-thru headset. Seriously. The biggest mistake Nickelodeon and Paramount have made is to underestimate the Avatar fanbase and thus the consumers with real buying power. Avatar is not and never will be 'just a kid's show.' Unfortunately Paramount, Nickelodeon and their parent company Viacom fail to see that to their own detriment.
It's good to know that Liz and I aren't the only "grownups" watching the show. While certainly accessible to its target audience, much like "Gargoyles" before it, this show has a lot to offer the older demographics. It's good to know that there are other rabid fans out there who are equally worried about this development. It's certainly good for Shyamalan, assuming he doesn't screw it up. Unfortunately, given his past efforts, the likelihood of Avatar being put through the auteur meat grinder is high. We shall see what unfolds.
Post a Comment
<< Home