It might just be the teaser trailer, but this short snippet from the upcoming fantasy adaptation The Last Airbender has ‘awesome’ written all over it. It also took me by complete surprise.

Why? It stems from the fact that I’d long given up hope that M. Night Shyamalan could make a good film again. Who could blame me when I still have nightmares about how I actually paid to see The Happening?  Also, having never seen the anime series Avatar The Last Airbender, I never really gave the film a second glance. On top of that, my first impression from the promotion stills was that it was another Dragon Ball Evolution in the making (see left).  But then I reminded myself; Shyamalan didn’t write this film, so maybe not all is lost. It’s also the first film he’s done that isn’t a thriller or horror, so maybe the genre switch is just what the doc ordered. Hence why I decided to finally give it that second glance, and boy am  I glad I did.

Could this be Shyamalan’s redemption song?

The way the trailer builds up to that epic climax is what sells it so well.  At first, we’re drawn in by the mystique of the hooded  martial artist, and the clichéd, but surprisingly fitting  voice-over. I think the “air bending” effect is done quite well too; not overstated or overused like it could have been. It all seems to be building up to his un-hooding, which was fairly predictable, but what happens after isn’t. As the camera pulls back, the tranquillity of the temple is blown away by the approaching ships, signalling the start of what looks to be one hell of an epic battle.

Simply put, it’s awesome and I want more. 2010 couldn’t come any sooner.

Follow the author Anders Wotzke on Twitter.