I get why they'd shorten the story because the kids it was obviously made for don't have a great attention span, but I didn't enjoy this movie. The bending moves were way too elaborate compared to the results the brought (a handful of earth benders needing a five second dance just to throw one rock?), the acting was sub par and the characters were way too underdeveloped. Except maybe for Zuko, they got the gist on him.
I know if I would be able to judge this movie by its own merits I would have found it- no, wait, it would still be bad, just not as bad as I think it is now.
It's a shame, but I'm not obsessing over it. I do think they should leave it at this one movie, save the money for something more worthy, because I'm not quite sure they can take this anywhere better.
I'll be watching the animated series again soon, to get this film out of my head.