'Airbender' Ready to Soar This Weekend

            While the summer of 2010 continues to have disappointment after disappointment at the box office, there is one summer tent pole release that I think is about to take the box office by storm. And no I am not talking about Twilight: Eclipse. I am talking about this week’s other huge release: The Last Airbender.

            The film, directed by M. Night Shaymalan (more on that factor later), is an adaptation of a popular US and Japanese anime show called Avatar: The Last Airbender. The title was shorted to avoid confusion with a certain film that kind of took the world by storm only seven months ago. I’m not exactly sure what the film is about, even after seeing the trailers, but it is a big special effects driven story about fighting factions that can control the elements—kind of like Captain Planet, but probably nowhere near as awesome. Paramount Pictures though, has a lot of faith in the production—reports have shown that the film cost about $150 million to make, and another $130 to publicize, and two sequels ready to go if it’s a hit. That kind of money is rare for this kind of project. The first Iron Man cost about the same, but the most recognizable star for this film is Slumdog Millionaire star Dev Patel, and most of the cast is of Indian origin. 

            However, the film has been tracking extremely well, and I’ve heard a lot of buzz from very different people, from at least three of the four marketing quadrants (male and female, over and under 25). The film’s PG rating gives it a kids appeal (and something non-CGI for the kids) and the action sequences in the trailers might bring a large teen portion in as well.

            Where the film may trip up though is in its direction, Shaymalan, who hasn’t had a successful film since Signs in 2002. However, with Mr. Shayamalan only in the director’s chair and far away from the script, as well as being in charge of a firmly studio production that needs none of his quirks as a director, as the focus is the special effects, Shayamalan, even if being put up on top of the title, is a non-factor in my opinion. I am personally uninterested in the film, and even less with Shaymalan’s name attached (unless the trade reviews start some buzz about this being quite entertaining). 

          When the box office numbers emerge for this July 4^th weekend, don’t be surprised if The Last Airbender puts close to Twilight’s numbers. If families are going to the movies this weekend, that film has a much better chance of bringing in masses than boys who don’t want to sit through Edward Cullen’s pale body. If the summer is in need of a breakout hit, then The Last Airbender is certainly it. 

Toy Story 3 is all the Buzz

If you've been hiding under a rock this weekend, you must've missed the news: Toy Story 3 is the greatest movie of all time! Not actually—my extremely positive but not perfect review can be found here—but both audiences and critics ate the film up.

As I predicted in my post yesterday, NY Press critic Armond White was one of three critics to give the film a negative review. He writes, "“The Toy Story franchise isn’t for children and adults, it’s for non-thinking children and adults. When a movie is this formulaic, it’s no longer a toy because it does all the work for you. It’s a sap’s story.” Responding to a comment in my post, I will reiterate my thoughts on Armond White quickly.  He is an excellent writer, even if his taste is specifically lashing out toward fanboys and critics. I think he might genuinely like trash cinema because it isn't pretending to be something its not. Also, when he is with the consensus, he never gets credit. And as Guy Lodge wrote wonderfully in his column over at InContention, does it matter that much? Movies are for our enjoyment; why should we let his opinion bother our own?

In other Toy Story 3 madness news, the film snatched up a bofo $110 million at the box office. This is the 11th #1 opener for Pixar, which is pretty good when you consider that ALL ELEVEN of their films have opened at #1. The great news for them however, is that it is also their highest opening ever, by $40 million (The Incredibles opened with $70 million). In a sign of the times, the film has finally succeeded after a number of summer films have flopped for one reason and one reason only: people like going to good, original films, and even if Toy Story 3 is a sequel, its not a rehash as much as it is a genuinely inventive film.

Finally, a couple Easter eggs. Lots-O Huggin Bear, the film's central new character, is adorable, and Pixar went as far to make two excellent viral videos: one an 80s commercial for Lots-O, and one from Japan. Enjoy!