NETFLIX AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER REVIEW – The Avatar Has Returned

Netflix’s live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender is a breathtaking journey into a world where martial arts and elemental bending coalesce into an art form of exquisite beauty and power. This series is not just a retelling of the beloved animated classic; it is a reimagining that pays homage to the original while charting its unique path, guided by a stellar cast and innovative production design.

The Art of Martial Arts

At the heart of Netflix Avatar: The Last Airbender is the art of martial arts, a foundational element that the series explores with reverence and creativity. The show’s dedication to accurately representing each bending style’s corresponding martial art is evident in the fluid and flawless motion captured on screen.

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Waterbending, with its graceful Tai Chi influences, flows across the screen in mesmerizing patterns that evoke the gentle strength of water. Earthbending’s grounded and powerful movements, inspired by the solid stances of Hung Ga Kung Fu, convey the unyielding force of the earth. Firebending, with its explosive and dynamic Shaolin Kung Fu techniques, crackles with intensity. Airbending, incorporating the circular motions of Baguazhang, whirls with a serenity that belies its potent force. These elements are not just visually stunning; they are rendered with such precision and fluidity that they become characters in their own right, integral to the narrative’s progression.

This was a fundamental aspect of the series another adaptation completely disregarded.

Team Avatar: The Next Generation

Central to the series’ success is its stellar casting, particularly for Team Avatar. Gordon Cormier, as Aang, is nothing short of a revelation. Cormier embodies Aang’s spirit with a depth that belies his young age, capturing the Avatar’s playful innocence and the weight of his destiny with equal aplomb. His performance is the cornerstone of the series, bringing Aang to life in a way that resonates with both fans of the original and newcomers alike.

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Ian Ousley as Sokka and Kiawentiio as Katara offer performances that honor their animated counterparts while infusing the characters with fresh layers of complexity. Ousley’s Sokka is the strategic thinker and comic relief, true to form, but with a gravitas that underscores his leadership and protective instincts. Kiawentiio’s Katara is a force of nature, her waterbending abilities matched only by her fierce determination and compassion. Together, they form a trio that is compelling, relatable, and deeply human.

Dallas Liu steps into the role of Zuko with a brooding intensity that captures the firebender’s inner turmoil and quest for redemption. Liu’s portrayal is nuanced, allowing viewers to empathize with Zuko’s struggle, even as he opposes our heroes. His dynamic with Aang is one of the series’ highlights, offering a complex exploration of friendship, rivalry, and the possibility of change.

Daniel Dae Kim brings a new depth to the character of Ozai, portraying the Fire Lord with a chilling authoritarianism that is both commanding and cruel. Yet, Kim’s performance hints at the motivations driving Ozai, offering a glimpse into the firebender’s twisted vision for the world.

Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, as Uncle Iroh, is a casting choice that can only be described as perfect. Lee captures Iroh’s wisdom, warmth, and wit with such authenticity that he quickly becomes the uncle everyone wishes they had. His guidance of Zuko is a series highlight, providing moments of humor and heart that enrich the narrative.

The World of a Cartoon Brought to Life

Netflix Avatar: The Last Airbender excels in its production design, bringing the fantastical world of bending to vivid life. From the majestic landscapes of the Air Temples to the icy expanse of the Water Tribe’s homeland, every location is rendered with an attention to detail that immerses viewers in the world.

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The series’ depiction of bending, from the swirling vortexes of air to the roaring flames of fire, is realized through a combination of practical effects and cutting-edge CGI that is nothing short of magical. The creation of Appa, the six-legged flying bison, is a testament to the production team’s creativity and dedication, bringing an animated icon into the live-action realm with heartwarming realism.

The Burden of Knowledge

While the Netflix Avatar: The Last Airbender live-action series strives to mature the narrative, exploring themes of loss, power, and redemption with a newfound depth, this ambition occasionally feels at odds with the source material’s subtle yet profound exploration of these themes. People often want to say the original series took a light-hand or innocent approach to mature themes. In reality, the series just boldly presented mature themes to what was sure to be a younger audience.

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It works incredibly well in some cases, as you will see within the first 20-minutes of the first episode. At other times, it feels like overkill. As if it was being dark for the sake of being dark, rather than serving the story. However, this does not detract from the series’ overall impact; it merely marks a different narrative approach that may resonate more with new viewers and maybe irk some of the more diehard fans. Personally, I feel it’s a nostalgic and protective aspect of being such a fan after being burned so badly before. Those who are new will likely enjoy it more not having had that incredibly disheartening experience of the first live-action attempt.

Well On Its Way To Mastering All The Elements

Netflix Avatar: The Last Airbender is a triumph of storytelling, blending the wonder of elemental bending with the human drama of its characters’ journeys. It is a series that will undoubtedly please long-time fans, offering a new perspective on a beloved world, while also standing as an inviting entry point for those new to the franchise. With its combination of stellar casting, breathtaking martial arts, and innovative production design, this reimagining of Avatar: The Last Airbender is a captivating adventure that breathes new life into the elements that made the original series a classic.

For doing the impossible, for doing it right, and for getting me to rewatch it twice already, I give Netflix Avatar: The Last Airbender an

8/10

Netflix Avatar: The Last Airbender is now streaming exclusively on Netflix.

About Netflix Avatar: The Last Airbender

Premiere Date: February 22, 2024
Episodes: 8 episodes x 1 hour
Executive Producer / Showrunner: Albert Kim
Executive Producers: Jabbar Raisani, Dan Lin, Lindsey Liberatore, Michael Goi
Cast: Gordon Cormier, Ian Ousley, Kiawentiio, Dallas Liu, Ken Leung, with Paul Sun-Hyung Lee and Daniel Dae Kim

Synopsis
Water. Earth. Fire. Air. The four nations once lived in harmony, with the Avatar, master of all four elements, keeping peace between them. But everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked and wiped out the Air Nomads, the first step taken by the firebenders towards conquering the world. With the current incarnation of the Avatar yet to emerge, the world has lost hope.

But like a light in the darkness, hope springs forth when Aang (Gordon Cormier), a young Air Nomad — and the last of his kind — reawakens to take his rightful place as the next Avatar. Alongside his newfound friends Sokka (Ian Ousley) and Katara (Kiawentiio), siblings and members of the Southern Water Tribe, Aang embarks on a fantastical, action-packed quest to save the world and fight back against the fearsome onslaught of Fire Lord Ozai (Daniel Dae Kim). But with a driven Crown Prince Zuko (Dallas Liu) determined to capture them, it won’t be an easy task. They’ll need the help of the many allies and colorful characters they meet along the way.

Are you as excited as us for the live-action ATLA TV series? Do you think the writers would do justice to the animated show? How do you feel about some of the changes that have been made? Let us know on social media, and do follow us for more content like this.

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