Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the beloved animated series or new to the world of “Avatar: The Last Airbender”, the Netflix live-action version promises an enjoyable ride filled with twists, turns, and surprises. With a mix of cherished moments from the original and a few brand-new insights into the Avatar universe, this adaptation is sure to provide both newcomers and longtime fans something worth watching.
The story centers around Aang and his plight of carrying the weight of his own destiny as the Avatar, who’s supposed to obtain mastery of all four elements to bring peace to the world. That’s a lot to take in for a kid and Netflix understood this, as a lot more emphasis is placed on various internal and external conflicts that burden Aang’s journey.
The Avatar comes to life
While the shift to live-action eliminates a lot of the fantastical elements that made the original so special, the slightly more mature tone does feel like a natural evolution for the franchise. Much like fans of the original, this new adaptation feels like it also grew up.
As with many of Netflix’s live-action adaptations, the production quality of the Avatar is commendable, with great visuals and attention to detail all throughout. From the impressive designs to the intricate costumes, bringing the world of Avatar to life on screen clearly spared no expense.
It was a pleasant surprise to see how well the action scenes were done, in both the way they were shot and choreographed. The world of Avatar combines the fluidity of different martial arts disciplines alongside the spectacle of the use of the four elements. The Netflix adaptation does not hold anything back in making sure that element bending looks and sounds incredible.
A great cast to carry it all
The main trio, Aang (Gordon Cormier), Katara (Kiawentiio Tarbell), and Sokka (Ian Ousley), shines brightly. Particularly noteworthy is Ousley’s comedic timing, adding a delightful flair to the group’s dynamic. Their performances capture the essence of each character’s distinctive traits, ensuring that their cherished camaraderie from the original translates well into live-action.
However, the best part of the series has to be the antagonists themselves, the Fire Nation. A lot more scenes are dedicated to fleshing out the fiery villains and it’s all the more great for it. Dallas James Liu’s Zuko and Paul Sun-Hyung Lee’s Uncle Iroh are perfectly casted and have great chemistry with one another. There’s a particular subplot there that original fans will know that represents the peak of the series’ emotional character building. Daniel Dae Kim’s Fire Lord Ozai also gets a lot more screen time than expected and is a commanding and intimidating presence whenever on screen.
Bending of expectations
The original “Avatar” had three seasons with 20 episodes each, showing that Aang’s adventures were definitely not on the short side. There was a bit of skepticism when Netflix announced that certain plot elements would be tweaked or removed, and that the first season will only contain eight episodes that will run for approximately an hour each. However, the episodes do an admirable job at condensing the main plot points of the original series.
There are great character moments on display here, and the show is at its best when it provides ample time to explore each one. In addition, the highlight of the Netflix adaptation are the never-before-seen sequences that provide more context to the original material. It made the viewing experience feel unpredictable at times, which is a great point for those who have already watched and re-watched the animated show.
Watch the Netflix live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender with Smart
Netflix’s “Avatar: The Last Airbender” is an all-new enjoyable look into the series that a lot of us have come to know and love. The production quality impresses and certain aspects of the storytelling breathe new life into the beloved narrative.
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