Netflix’s attempt at a live-action series for “Avatar The Last Airbender “appeared questionable from the start. The decision to remake one of the most cherished animated series, particularly after a previous failed attempt that left a lasting negative impression, raises doubts about the necessity of such a venture.
Despite Netflix’s persistent inclination toward live-action remakes, their latest attempt with ‘Avatar The Last Airbender’ has surpassed initial skepticism. The streaming giant aims to create a mega-franchise, spanning various seasons of the original show and potentially extending into ‘Korra.’ Contrary to widespread doubts, including my own reservations as a fan who holds the original in high regard, Netflix’s adaptation has proven to be much better than anticipated. By the conclusion, I found myself genuinely enjoying it.
Avatar The Last Airbender
Throughout the series Avatar The Last Airbender, it’s evident that the cast and crew approached the project with a deep appreciation for the source material. While initial interview quotes hinted at changes that raised concerns, in reality, these alterations don’t overshadow the overall production. The adaptation serves as a heartfelt homage to the animated series, featuring numerous scenes and lines that remain faithful to the original. Despite some structural adjustments for adaptation purposes, I didn’t find anything particularly detrimental.
It doesn’t reach the level of the animated series, and it shouldn’t be expected to. Comparing it to the original is like attempting to recreate the Mona Lisa with colored pencils—a commendable effort, but a different medium that can’t surpass the brilliance of the original masterpiece. So, a bit of leniency is required in evaluating it. While I’m uncertain how die-hard fans will respond, acknowledging that some may not be forgiving, I’m also unsure of its impact on new viewers unfamiliar with the original. Personally, as a fan, I found the adaptation to be well-executed.
The standout achievement lies in the casting. Numerous comments have highlighted the striking resemblance of the cast to the animated characters , and in terms of embodying those characters, it’s highly effective. Notably, Dallas Liu’s portrayal of Prince Zuko deserves recognition for expertly conveying rage veiling rejection throughout the entire series. Additionally, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee’s casting as Iroh is another spot-on choice, with his only drawback being… his height.
Ian Ousley’s Sokka and Gordon Cormier’s Aang, though taking some time to impress, deliver solid performances and anchor the series. Sokka’s character has a less pronounced “girls are bad” theme but grapples with familiar insecurities. Cormier’s Aang starts with a slightly shaky delivery but improves as the show progresses, capturing the essence of the young character. Despite concerns about portraying Aang as darker, this version remains true to the goofy kid at heart, maintaining the balance even with the weight of the world on his shoulders.
The Fire Nation ensemble shines, with Daniel Dae Kim delivering a terrifying performance as Fire Lord Ozai. Ken Leung excels as the sniveling and scheming Commander Zhou. Initially, there were concerns about Elizabeth Yu’s casting as Azula, as she doesn’t closely resemble the original character, but her portrayal captures the fiery essence, pun unintended. As the series unfolds, her capacity for cruelty becomes convincing.
Avatar The Last Airbender Netflix Series
You might observe that the one omission here is Kiawentiio’s Katara. Among all the characters, her portrayal resonated the least with me. It’s not that there’s anything wrong with her performance, but considering Katara’s crucial role in the show, I wasn’t feeling the same energy from her. She does shine in the climactic fight of the series, but leading up to that, she doesn’t feel as on point as most of her castmates. Perhaps that could change in future seasons (which, in my opinion, the show deserves).
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The visuals are generally well-executed. There are instances where things lean a bit too much towards the green-screen feel, especially during scenes like sailing on boats or riding Appa. However, there are also moments where the visual effects shine, particularly in the amazing animation of Appa. The cityscapes are beautifully rendered. While it’s true that live-action will never quite match the dynamic animated bending fights from the original show, the ones portrayed here are surprisingly good.
The Avatar The Last Airbender show benefits from a well-paced narrative. In contrast to M. Night Shyamalan’s attempt to compress an entire season into a single film, the Netflix series consists of eight episodes, each running approximately 50-60 minutes. Comparatively, the original show’s first season had 20 episodes, each around 20-22 minutes. This extended runtime provides ample space to unfold the story, allowing the series to breathe and delve deeper into the narrative.
Everything changed when the Avatar returned.
The highly anticipated live-action adaptation of the 2005 Nickelodeon animated series “Avatar The Last Airbender” is set to premiere on Netflix.
Just as its predecessor, the Netflix series portrays a world where people can control one of four elements − water, earth, fire, air − and live in four respective nations. The show follows Aang who learns he is the Avatar, the only one who can master all four elements, and must defeat the Fire Nation to end a 100-year war.
