A Mind-Bending Review on Avatar: The Last Airbender

Though animations have always faced a reputation of being “childish” or “for kids,” there are a select handful that resonate through one’s life. One of the most memorable television shows that still remains in people’s hearts even after 18 years is “Avatar: The Last Airbender.” The announcement of a new live-action adaptation has sparked a wide array of excitement, as well as some concern among hardcore fans. Many wondered if the adaptation would be able to live up to its predecessor or if it would flop like a previous attempt at a live-action adaptation, “The Last Airbender,” which was made in 2010 and was directed by M. Night Shyamalan. 

The original “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” or, for the sake of simplicity, “Avatar,” has been a show that has resonated with many children, teens, and even adults across the board. Despite the show being marketed to children, it developed mature and complex themes that kept adults engaged as well. That is not even mentioning the acclaimed humor in the show that has created viral memes and inside jokes within the community. 

The biggest concern for fans when transitioning from animation to live-action, is how it will affect the “bending”. “Bending,” in the show, is almost like a superpower in the world of Avatar, with many people being able to control any part of the four elements: fire, water, earth, and air. “Bending” is extremely important to the series, and a poor portrayal of it will leave the audience feeling unfulfilled. Thankfully, something that both enjoyers and critics of the adaptation can agree upon is that the CGI and VFX design is visually amazing and satisfying to look at. Staying true to the original series and learning from the mistakes of the 2010 film. 

The adaptation starred Gordon Cormier as the lead character, Aang. Kiawentiio portrayed another lead character named Katara, with Ian Ousley playing her brother Sokka. Dallas Liu played the infamous and complex character of Zuko and his performance has received the most praise from everyone else in the cast. These are a few, but not all, actors for the main cast. 

Upon watching the show, many major critiques were made, which many hoped would be taken into consideration for a second or third season. Namely, the character of Katara, who is originally a bossy, uptight, and stubborn character, has been portrayed as much more quiet and passive in the new adaptation. This has caused many fans to not only criticize the writing team, but also the actor as well. However, when it comes to the main character, Aang, many believe he couldn’t have been cast more perfectly. Gordon Cormier portrays Aang’s childlike wonder and behaviors amazingly, with many saying that it felt like Aang from the animated show was plucked out of the screen into the real world. 

There is much more to say about the live action, but these are many major points highlighting the major critiques and praises of the live action adaptation. With seasons two and three being greenlit by Netflix, it’s only natural to be hopeful to see more of this wonderful cast improve and flourish.