Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Finally a movie with an original plot! I'm not saying it's a good plot, or even overly entertaining, but it definitely gets big points for originality if nothing else.
Most of the films I have reviewed lately have been packed with stars or shot by critically-acclaimed directors and in all honesty, most of them have failed to deliver something different.
That's what makes this such a breath of fresh air, not because it's got the best special effects or the biggest budget, but because it gives young stars the chance to shine.
Sadly, none of the stars in this movie really shine, except Dev Patel. I first noticed this young actor's talent and presence in the British TV show Skins, and then when he took the lead role in Slumdog Millionaire, I was convinced that this little man had a big future ahead of him. He has an instant likeability and charm, regardless of if he's the protagonist or in this case, the villain.
To set the scene, this movie takes place in a fantasy reality where the world is quite literally divided. Each of the four kingdoms holds sacred one of the four elements - water, fire, earth, air - and there are certain people born within each of those kingdoms who can 'bend' the element to their will.
For centuries, peace has lasted throughout the realms under the supervision of the Avatar, a link to the spirit world and the only entity capable of mastering all four elements. The problem is, these Avatars are only born once a century.
The downside of wielding the power of the elements is that it can cause the desire to use said powers for world domination. Sure enough, that's just what ends up happening! After the youngest Avatar, Aang, disappears, the Fire Nation launches an attack to wipe out the Air Nomads to stop them getting in the way of their future plans for ... you guessed it, world domination!
Anag was raised in a monastery (much like in the Eddie Murphy classic, The Golden Child), but ran away for reasons that aren't fully revealed. In an unfortunate twist of fate, he becomes trapped under the ice of the northern territory until he is eventually freed by Katara, a young woman from the Water Tribe, and her protective brother, Sokka.
As if he didn't have enough to worry about, Aang finds out he is being hunted by Prince Zuko and his rival in the Fire Tribe, Commander Zhao, who both want to capture him to get in the good books of the Fire Lord (who also sounds cooler than he is).
Meanwhile, Katara and Sokka attempt to move him around the world to help find soldiers for an imminent rebellion against the Fire Tribe.
This film is what I like to call a 'time-killer', you definitely won't leave the cinema feeling elated or add the movie to your all-time favourites, but it's not a bad way to kill some time (provided you don't expect more than the plot has to offer).
Showing in Cineco, Seef I, Seef II, Saar Cineplex and Al Jazeera Cineplex
