Well, besides the blatant racism within the film I rather enjoyed the movie. All the enemies were played by actors of an Indian descent.
First let me explain the movie. First of all there is four nations that represent each Greek element, Earth, Air, Fire and Water. The Fire nation wants independence of the other nations and seeks to destroy the Spirits of each, while destroying all other nations. Depending on the nation, each nation can manipulate their own element.
Meanwhile, the Avatar who can bend all the elements was to be born into the Air nation. The Avatar can reincarnate, usually reincarnating within a specific nation.
Anyway, this movie is based upon the cartoon show, which is so much better than the film. I like how the Asian culture and myth is within the show, however in the movie I think that was lacking along with the non-existence of the Asian actors playing good, main characters.
As you can see here two of the main characters in the show, Sokka (left) and Katara (right) are presumably dark. The actors playing them aren't.
Here is Katara in the film. Here is Sokka in the film.
Here is some of the bad characters in the show and the actors playing them. You can make the call on what's going on:
Zuko below is played by Dev Patel in the film. (bad guy, but becomes good at the end and helps the Avatar.)
Here is Aasif Mandvi playing Commander Zhao (bad guy.) *Sigh* He is so gorgeous.
Cliff Curtis, who is an actor from New Zealand, plays Fire Lord Ozai (really bad guy.)
Finally good ole' Uncle Iroh, who is Zuko's uncle (my favorite character) played by Shaun Toub who is Iranian-American. (Good guy of the Fire nation.)
For the exception of Toub and Curtis, it's just weird to me that the bad people are played by actors of an Indian descent. And the good main characters who were presumably dark in the show are white in the movie. Just one more movie about how great and good all white people are and how bad people of a different race are.
I am not saying that we shouldn't let actors of a different race play in our movies. I love seeing all different kinds of people in films (especially Aasif, I was drooling when I saw him) but as bad guys? C'mon!
And don't even get started on Prince of Persia. Oh my Gods....Listen I don't care if it's based on a video game, all the people in the movie are white and they play Persian/Arabians. How fucked up is that? I have never seen it and truthfully I wouldn't be able to watch it.
Other than the race thing, from a Pagan view (like the movie Avatar, incidentally the same name) the movie lets us enjoy the beauty of a world that honors nature. There can never be enough movies like that! I always think (opposed to our lovely Pope) it's important that we have movies that endorse earth loving. The Fire nation seeks to destroy other nations, but some Fire benders like our friend, Uncle Iroh is in tune with nature and a rather nice guy, too. Again the show was so much better, it really endorsed the Elements. I thought that the way that they portrayed Asian culture within the show was great, along with the Greek elements thrown in there.
So that wraps my review up. I am not the type of feminist who likes making movie and book reviews (especially when it comes to race) so I apologize for the bad writing. If you want more information read the blog I linked above.
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