Netflix’s live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 1 offers a blend of successes and setbacks that navigate the challenges of bringing a beloved animated series to a new format. I watched the whole thing over two days and will be doing a rewatch soon.
I’ve pulled together my initial thoughts as a review. Would love to hear what you thought about it, leave a comment down below!
Let’s start with some great things:
The bending effects and CGI integration generally impress, showcasing a commitment to visual spectacle. While this was great with the obvious attention to martial arts and mixing that with the CGI to create something beautiful, occasional lapses in CGI refinement are noticeable; Aang riding the air ball for one.
Episode 6 (Masks) emerges as a highlight for me, an incredible viewing experience with great story that adds so much to the original work. This was the episode that got me, its storytelling and execution, it was fun. The two episodes prior kinda fizzled though.
Commendable attention to world-building details and stunning sets and props create an immersive experience, transporting viewers into the rich universe of the source material. I love how they did Omashu city and the Northern Water Grove. Stunning work.
The portrayal of Uncle Iroh remains a standout success, capturing the character’s charm, wisdom, and humour flawlessly. Although Iroh not acting until it was too late in the finale was a serious narrative let down. I love Iroh though so he gets a pass.
Here’s what I felt was ok:
While adding Azula, a fleshed out Firelord and particularly Zuko’s character growth to the season 1 storyline impressed me. With all of that the real journey of season 1: Kotara’s and Aangs arc disappoints. She transforms into a master bender too swiftly, lacking a satisfying learning payoff. The absence of practice sessions between Aang and Katara further dampens their on-screen chemistry.
Casting choices receive mixed reviews prior to the show coming out. Some actors shine, while others deliver lines with a hint of woodenness. The tendency for characters to overtly state emotions rather than visually express them is a notable flaw.
Episodes 1 and 2, burdened with excessive exposition, struggle with pacing. The season’s writing falls short at times, failing to capture the enchantment that made the animated series a classic.
And Here is what I really didn’t like:
There was a two episode in the middle that were just plot bloated, 4 & 5 right before we go into the amazing episode 6. I think they blended too many different storylines from multiple episodes of the original series in this moment. This caused characters to appear and then just cruise without real explanation because they didn’t have time to conclude that characters journey because… there was plot to get through. It would have been stronger to leave them out (owl spirit and forest spirit) and just focus on Ko the face stealer (or leave Ko out of this part of the series). The whole forest is hurt so lets go into the spirit realm to speak to the forest spirit, where we meet Wang Shi Tong and have a exposition dump, for Kotara and Sokka to get captured by Ko, sending Aang to search for some help in the spirit realm to find his old mentor to send him on a world wind solo quest to the Fire Nation to visit the ancestor avatar to get captured to be rescued by Zuko to escape to save his friends was a whole thing. In the animation these were very separate storylines that have been forced together here. It was handled as best it could be but I felt like there wasn’t the pay off for the set up in these moments (until episode 6 of course).
The overall atmosphere felt lukewarm, lacking the character intensity that fans of the original series may expect. A sense of warmth and connection between characters seems missing. I think this may be heightened because of some of the weird lens choices (using an anamorphic lens felt weird), there is a scene with Jet and Kotara in the forest that just felt like it was shot in the strangest way possible.
While I found the series and the remake an overall enjoyable experience, this live-action adaptation just sparked a desire for me to revisit the animated series. This inclination might be a byproduct of my affection for the original, highlighting the challenge of living up to the nostalgia associated with the animated masterpiece. My personal bias, rooted in the love for the original series, definitely influenced my viewing experience. However, the adaptation offers moments that shine in live action, making the journey worthwhile for fans seeking a new perspective.
I think the big question (that I don’t have an answer to) is: Was this needed?
I’m very interested in seeing how they continue to develop this in Season 2. In Season 1 some things were expanded on while others were watered down, this is always going to be a problem when you’re turning a story told over 20 episodes into an outing with 8 episodes.
Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 1 is a complex endeavour, navigating the fine line between homage and originality. While it stirs nostalgia, it also introduces unique moments, making it a commendable effort despite its imperfections.
