“Water. Earth. Fire. Air. Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. Then, everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked.”
Avatar: The Last Airbender is a standout among animated series. Its intricate storytelling and endearing characters have left an indelible mark on viewers of all ages. The three-season television show, which first aired in 2005, seamlessly blends the anime animation style with the humor of an American cartoon. While it was primarily aimed at children, its appeal extended to a much broader audience, a testament to its quality and universal themes.
Due to the popularity of Avatar, it was adapted as a movie in 2010. Unlike the series, however, The Last Airbender, directed by M. Night Shyamalan, did not have the same impact as its predecessor. The hostile reception was mainly due to the movie not staying faithful to the original TV show and its controversial casting. Many say the actors were “whitewashed” compared to the original characters (CBC).
Now, fourteen years later, Avatar: The Last Airbender has a live-action television series. The eight-episode show was released on Netflix on February 22, 2024 using the same name. Since its release, the new series has come with mixed reactions. Part of this is due to the dialogue that practices telling rather than showing and the pacing and different combinations of episodes. The exposition of Aang’s story is noticeably watered compared to the animated series since many of the pit stops Team Avatar makes when traveling to the North Pole were cut from the story. The flow of the live-action is also a criticism as some scenes can feel rushed and lacking in nuance (Variety).
Though there are faults in the recently released Netflix series, there are also redeeming qualities, including the incredible casting and performances the actors and actresses put on. Gordon Cormier (Aang) embodies Aang physically and playful energy. Dallas Liu (Zuko) and Paul Sun-Hyung Lee (Iroh) performed a heartful performance that encapsulated the relationship between the banished prince and his tea-loving uncle. Along with the likable characters, the costumes and fight choreography were done exceptionally well and accurate to the 2005 show. The initial series’ soundtrack was also well incorporated into the 2024 rendition. Clearly, the creators loved the source material and wanted to stay true to what was done in the original.
With such a problematic original show to surpass, it is no surprise that many say the 2005 series is better than the recent release. Even with this opinion, the new series is by no means horrible and unwatchable. In fact, on March 6, the show was renewed for two more seasons, finishing Aang and his friends’ journey as they continue to discover who they are and how to save the world. If all goes to plan, this will be the first time the second and third books of Aang’s story will be created as a live-action. Sophia Mou (10) adds, “It will be exciting to see how the directors navigate their way through the second and third parts of Avatar.” Though it might take a while before anything Avatar-related hits the big screen, there is lots of anticipation following the announcement of upcoming Avatar seasons.
