History Headscratchers / TheLastAirbender

* A few critics have been under the impression that the movie happens in a post-apocalyptic universe. Most fans shrugged this off, but there [[http://distanthorizons.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=avmovie&action=display&thread=22029 might be something to it]], therefore once and for all distancing it from the series itself. Which [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks may not be a bad thing.]]
** There's no way this is set in the future with society broken down (neither was the show set in the future, even with the steam punk elements). The only critic I remember who thought TLA was set in a "post-apocalyptic universe" was Roger Ebert. Not really sure why he was under that impression, though, because nowhere in the opening narration did it ever say that this story was set in a post-apocalyptic Earth (not even during the movie).
*** Ebert wasn't the only critic under the impression that it was set in a post-apocalyptic universe, just the biggest name, and the most puzzling as he's enough of a fan of the series to know that it's not the case in the original. Some reviews have cited ambiguous wording in the opening narration, along with what might be ruins of contemporary landmarks.
** Take this with a grain of salt, because I'm not sure exactly where I heard this, but I've heard that earlier in the movie's planning stages, it ''was'' planned to be in a post-apocalyptic universe. It was changed later during production... but the press kits that went to the critics might have retained it, even though it's no longer reflected in the final product.

*** Yeah, no. It wasn't pointed out or indicated at all in the movie. The concept of their corruption removing standard Firebenders' ability to bend from chi is {{Fanon}} at best.

*** Once again, the concept of the Firebenders needing sources due to corruption and Eeroh being able to bend from chi due to his knowledge of Sun Warrior techniques is FanWank at best.

** How do you know Katara meant that literally? Her mother IS the one who told her about the scroll. Maybe Katara meant "''when we were just starting to develop speech + long/short-term memory''". Even children as old as 7 are referred to as "babies" in Real Life.
*** I dunno where you've been around, but I'm 20 years old and I was referred to as a "kid" or a "child" when I was 7, not a "baby." Technically, you're a baby until you're about 2, at which point you're considering a "toddler". Your longterm memory starts developing around 3 or 4, which is WELL after "baby" stage, which is what most audiences would be going with.

* So.. Is there still a trilogy going on, or did they decide that the movie was such a bomb that they shouldn't waste money and risk embarrassment on anymore?
** While there's no official confirmation, all signs indicate that it's all but over considering the next film has yet to move into pre-production over a year later, the domestic box office was underwhelming ($130 million), and with the widespread critical and fanbase negative consensus, the sequel would most certainly gross less, so it doesn't make financial sense for Nick for pony up $150 million they won't make back.
*** Check the box office gross on Wiki/TheOtherWiki: 319 million. The movie did well overseas, REALLY well, probably in part of the UnintentionalHilarity of [[SeparatedByACommonLanguage the word "Bender" turning this movie into a hilarious laughfest]]. Also, M. Night apparently penned a rough-draft script for a sequel while producing the first movie, and seeing as the movie made back twice its budget...[[ThisIsGonnaSuck who knows]]?
*** Yes, but it made back twice its budget. If anything, a sequel will give us Avatar fans further snarking material for another chunk of months...
*** The film only made 39 million when you factor in the 130 million dollar marketing budget. Likely the studio will take the 39 million and call it a win rather than risk more money making a sequel to a film with an astonishingly bad reputation.
** Over a year later and still no confirmation of a sequel? It's likely dead. While the first movie may have been profitable when taking in the overseas value, it was so poorly received by critics and audiences that a second movie probably wouldn't have made much money.
*** M.Night is the guy who got the ball rolling on a movie adaptation in the first place. A new film would have to be a BroadStrokes sequel or a prequel that makes everyone forget this one. Hopefully if ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'' is good enough, interest could be renewed.

* What's with the explanation that no-source firebending in the movie is possible because the main type is corrupted? Was that actually mentioned or hinted at in the movie? In [[AllThereInTheManual any of the supplemental material]]? Or is it just FanWank based on the series?
** The latter. From what this troper's seen, it's just a weak attempt by the fans of this movie to justify to FridgeLogic of taking away the only thing that gave the Firebenders any chance of beating the other elements from the series...
*** Still, it does make sense in describing the difference between the original type and the Fire Nation type. In the series, it's not too clear what makes their styles so different besides what emotion it draws from. Not that [[FranchiseKiller a sequel will be made]] to put this into place but it would go a long way to explaining why the Fire Nation cannot create their own element.
*** Actually, there is no actual difference between "Fire Nation" and "Sun Warrior" style firebending in the series. The actual difference is in the underlying philosophy behind their way of using bending, mostly centering around control. On short, "Fire Nation style" is about quick destruction through aggressive emotions while "Sun Warrior style" is about tempering and directing one's aggression while constantly keeping their cool and control. For a quick demonstration of the difference, just look at the expressions on Zuko's and Azula's faces during their final confrontation in the last episode.
*** I just wonder why those who subscribe to the "corruption" theory do so in the face of so many elements Shyamalan altered and/or dropped between ATLA and the movie?
** What's so wrong about using theories to explain something that otherwise seems unexplained, I ask? Considering how much the film has already deviated from the source material, is it ''really'' such a crime that people are just trying to introduce a different, new sense of logic?

* Firebenders now have to rely on a source of fire, like a torch or brazier. These sources are usually exposed, and to put the fire out would cripple the firebenders. So ''why does nobody ever think to put them out''? Despite this glaring weakness, nobody ever puts out their fires when they see the Fire Nation coming, or targets the fires in combat. Master Pakku even ''tells'' the Northern Water Tribe to put out their torches so as not to give the Firebenders extra ammo, and ''no one does!'' Is there some sort of heroic version of MookChivalry going on here?

* So, Sozin's comet only allows firbenders to create their own fire. Now, Ozai, as the best firebender in the world, can presumably do this already, so Sozin's Comet will give him no benefit. We may have one anti-climactic boss fight on our hands if there ever is a third movie.

** [[CrowningMomentOfAwesome Because it's Iroh?]] Seriously, though, it might their way of replacing Lightning Bending, since they seem to be cutting out many plot points and God knows we don't need more explaining of the damn plot.

** 1) There's no confirmation that Firebenders need existing sources of fire to bend. The fact that we see at least 2 firebenders in the movie create fire/heat without a source proves that [[HateDumb silly hater delusion]] incorrect. For all you know, the Movieverse setting could just be a world where proper Firebending (with sources) is a forgotten art--NOT a world where all firebending is source required--and the filmmaker could be planning on using the "Sun Warriors" storyline as the link to bringing the art back into the nation. 2) No, it would NOT mean any non-Bender with a pail of water could defeat one, because the Firebender could easily block the water with his own firebending just like Cartoon!Zuko does to Cartoon!Katara's waterbending attacks.