Anyone who can spell Wu-Tang or who has seen even one preview for the new "Karate Kid" starring Will Smith's son Jaden Smith (and that is everyone - because surely everyone has seen one preview) - so anyone and everyone has at least one example of the connection between hip-hop and action, especially martial art action movies.  There are several other connections but that is a subject for another write-up.  The purpose of this write up is to provide feedback, some review of, and key-take aways on The Last Airbender. 

Above we mentioned Jaden Smith, and his father, extremely successful hip-hop star Will Smith recently said that you should strive to produce art that will inspire someone, or basically make them a better person because they came in contact with your art.  For that reason, we cannot say enough great things about The Last Airbender!!  For a movie that I completely expected to dismiss, it not only changed my mind but catapulted itself to the forefront of my favorite hand to hand combat action series movies, at a stretch it is actually approaches the path of "The Matrix" and "The Lord of the Rings" triologies. 

Now for integrity's sake and to set aside my own personal favorite parts I must admit that most people will say "do not put this movie anywhere near the category of The Matrix or Lord of the Rings" but it has made its way to my list of personal favorites following in the spirit of those two great series.

So - if so many people may not see the greatness we see, then what is so great about The Last Airbender?

1. Faith - we LOVE how the main character Aang played very well by Noah Ringer relies on his Faith & Meditation at every hard turn.  Unlike many of us, whenever Aang was faced with adversity or conflict he quickly resolved that he must find a place to meditate and seek divine guidance.  How well so many of us would do to follow this example instead of seeking the opinion of all the most likely haters who surround us on a daily basis?! (Proverbs 3:5, Psalm 118:8)  Next time you have a big issue - do like Aang, look up and look within.  Find a quite place to ask all the questions you have out loud (go ahead and do it, don't feel silly, if you find a quiet place no one will see you anyway) ask all the questions to Him above, then visualize the answers you want, breathe them in...and watch your life change.
    
2. Talent - Noah Ringer played the stoic part of Aang quite well, he showed all of the necessary parts this complex character needed and did well in the action sequences too.  He was able to be confident, child like, a protector and afraid as needed - well done Noah!
3. Nuance - the manner in which fighting using the elements was presented in this movie was both novel and put simply? "It was hot".  This movie was was fast paced without being predictable, and reflective for audiences new to the "Avatar" cartoon franchise upon which it was based without getting caught up in overdoing flashbacks.  Finally it was straight forward enough for young viewers to understand and appreciate the plot and lessons contained within without losing all of the complexity necessary to entertain adult audiences.
4. Special Effects - simply put they were great.  The effects were believeable, they were not overstated, they were impressive, artful, and fit well within the context of the rest of the movie without overpowering the plot.