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UP IN THE AIR The Last Airbender polarizes audiences AMY ATKINS On a surprisingly muggy day in late June, 20-year-old Matthew and his friend, 19-yearold Austin, are standing outside the Egyptian Theatre, their anticipation almost palpable. They are waiting for producer Frank Marshall to walk down the red carpet and herald the national premiere of the new M. Night Shyamalan movie, The Last Airbender. As a large city bus pulls up to the stoplight, its passengers craning to see why there’s a crowd, Matthew says he’s thrilled Aang, the last Airbender, is a little bent out of shape. to be there. “I love the TV show [Nickelodeon’s Shyamalan’s shoulders. Avatar: The Last Airbender], and I’m so glad arms against the Water, Air and Earth Tribes Mix that with the accusations of “racein hopes of dominating the world. Capturing they actually made a movie. So excited,” he bending” (Caucasian actors were cast in Aang and stopping him from realizing his says, and Austin nods his agreement. what were predominantly Asian and Inuit While many of the adults shuffling around potential will go a long way toward the Fire roles) also being lobbed at the director of The Nation’s ultimate goal. in the midday heat are there to get a glimpse Sixth Sense and this film is limping out of the Aang, an Airbender, is the new Avatar of Marshall—who is once again premiering gate like a horse with a broken leg. (think Buddha), a being with the ability one of his films in Boise—Matthew, Austin Does that mean The Last Airbender to bend all four elements, but who is also and scores of other young adults are here to should be put out of its misery? Not necestasked with keepsee what Shyamalan, sarily. For a viewer without an attachment to ing peace among the Marshall and the THE LAST AIRBENDER (PG) the source material, it’s easy to get lost in the tribes. Afraid of the hundreds of people Directed by M. Night Shyamalan responsibilities of being foreign lands, the greens of the Airbenders’ who worked on the Starring Noah Ringer, Nicola Peltz, Dev Patel worlds, the whites and ice-blues of the Waterthe Avatar, Aang ran film will do with benders’. The action sequences are beautifully away from his home the animated series’ Now playing at Edwards 9 and Edwards 22 choreographed and though the young actors before he could learn beloved characters Visit video.boiseweekly.com for BW’s video will do well to continue studying their craft, to bend the other three Aang, Katara, Sokka interviews with Frank Marshall. elements. He must now the budding relationship between Aang, and the misguided master new skills while Katara and Sokka feels genuine enough to Prince Zuko. want to see it grow (sequels are reportedly in avoiding capture by the Fire Nation. The Last Airbender opens with teenaged the planning stages). Martial arts, lush scenery, CGI magic siblings Katara (Nicola Peltz) and Sokka What all the hubbub means is that if and Shyamalan’s storytelling take this 2D (Jackson Rathbone), members of the Water you don’t already know the story, The Last animation into a fantastical new world. Tribe, rescuing 12-year-old Aang (Noah Airbender is a fine afternoon diversion. But Ringer) and his flying buffalo/Shih Tzu-look- But inexperienced actors and a storyline that verges too far from the source material if like Matthew and Austin you are a big fan ing creature from an iceberg. Aang has been inside the ice 100 years and during that time, have led to some unfavorable early reviews. of the original cartoon, you might leave the theater feeling hot under the collar. And all the blame is being laid squarely on the power-hungry Fire Nation has taken up
SCREEN/LISTINGS Special Screenings
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BLOOD INTO WINE—Documentary about Maynard James Keenan (singer for Tool, Puscifer and A Perfect Circle) and his vineyard partner, Eric Glomski, and their mission to bring notoriety and credibility to Northern Arizona’s burgeoning wine industry. Sunday, July 11, 6 p.m. $12-$15. The Flicks, 646 Fulton St., Boise, 208342-4222.
DESPICABLE ME—Armed with shrink rays, freeze rays and a score of threatening artillery, the villainous Gru, voiced by Steve Carrell, is plotting to steal the moon when three orphaned girls get in his way in this 3D animated film. (PG) Edwards 22
THE A-TEAM—A group of Iraq War veterans looks to clear their names with the U.S. military, which suspects the four men of committing a crime for which they were framed. Based on the iconic ’80s TV show of the same name. (PG-13) Edwards 22
I AM LOVE—Set in Milan, Italy, this family drama stars Tilda Swinton as a devoted wife who falls in love with another man, changing the wealthy Recchi family forever. (R) Flicks
EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP—A French thrift shop owner in L.A. acquired a video camera and became famous for going out at night and filming graffiti artists at work. (R) Flicks
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GET HIM TO THE GREEK—A music company assistant (Jonah Hill) is sent to London to retrieve an outrageous rockstar (Russell Brand) for a concert at L.A.’s Greek Theatre. (R) Edwards 9, Edwards 22 GROWN UPS—The death of their childhood basketball coach leads some old friends (Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock) to gather at the site of a championship celebration from years ago. (PG-13) Edwards 9, Edwards 22
IRON MAN 2—Robert Downey Jr. returns as Tony Stark, billionaire arms manufacturer and playboy with a heart of cold fusion and a superpowered exoskeleton he uses to fight the enemies of freedom. But one of those enemies, Ivan Venko (Mickey Rourke), isn’t so pleased with the fact that Stark made his fortune with secrets stolen from Venko’s father and decides to seek superpowered revenge. (PG-13) Edwards 22 JOAN RIVERS: A PIECE OF WORK—Audiences are sucked into the world of one of America’s most irreverent
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