Avatar the Last Airbender

A plodding, kitschy caricature that manages none of the quality or levity of the original. As with most so-called adaptations of this sort, one struggles even to recognize familiar characters. Where has the cast gone, and who are these mannequins stuffed in their habits? Really, the studios who make this trash ought to pay viewers to watch it. It's an eye-glazing affair...

The mishandling of Lu Ten's memorial rather neatly exemplifies the problem with the entire business of this adaptation: The work of so many talented artists accompanied by sunset and song, now songless and hidden by the black veil of night. The Iroh we recall: Grief-stricken but determinedly hopeful. The Iroh we see now: Broken, ruined, hopeless, and worthy of reproach. So much for the rest of it.