The long-awaited live-action adaptation of the popular series “Avatar: The Last Airbender” has finally arrived. Since the adaptation was first announced in 2018, fans of the original have been waiting to see if it lives up to the hype. The impact of “ATLA” in the pop culture world is no small one. Since the original series in 2005, there has been the sequel, “The Legend of Korra,” which began airing in 2012, as well as multiple graphic novels and even a board game. There was also the live action movie adaptation in 2010.
The series has been through its ups and downs during development. The creators of the original show were on the creative team up until 2020, when they departed due to creative differences. This particularly worried fans of the original. The new showrunners, however, seemed to be dedicated to authentically recreating the world of “ATLA.”
The remake follows the same premise as its predecessor: In a world that has been ravaged by 100 years of war and conquest under the fierce Fire Nation, the Avatar, master of all 4 elements, must rise up to save the world. All hope lies in Avatar Aang, a young boy and the last remaining airbender. He sets out along with water tribe siblings Katara and Sokka to master other forms of bending and save the world.
While the show still manages to deliver many of the same emotions as the original, due to the rushed plotlines and some plots being squished together, certain moments lack the emotional punch they had in the original. The pacing of the series is more than a little off. Due to this, some of the complexity of certain episodes’ themes is lost, and characters that did not appear until season two of the original make an appearance early.
A common criticism of the 2010 film was the whitewashing of characters. For a series that takes place in a world largely inspired by Asian cultures, most of the cast was played by white actors. Thankfully, the new series remedies this, casting people of color accurate to each region. The characters also look their age, which avoids the common mistake of casting people who look too old for the role.
A highlight of the series is definitely the acting. The actors do a great job of portraying their characters. Aang (Gordon Cormier) still manages to be a goofy, fun-loving kid while also showing the responsibility hanging on his shoulders. Katara (Kiawentiio Tarbell) still keeps her kind and caring nature while also being able to kick butt, and Sokka (Ian Ousley), being a comic relief at many points, still showcases his leadership and strategy skills. Zuko (Dallas Liu) is still the temperamental prince fans know and love. Uncle Iroh (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee) is also still the goofy, kind-hearted old war veteran to guide Zuko on his journey.
The sets look amazing. The production crew clearly spent a lot of time studying the world of “ATLA” and the places it is based on in order to create an authentic set that feels real. Enjoyers of high-fantasy settings, such as Ravka in “Shadow and Bone,” may enjoy the setting here. There is something so magical about seeing the four nations come to life.
The bending itself doesn’t look half bad either. While Aang’s airbending can sometimes look a little awkward, the bending effects are incredible. The special effects will have you wanting to touch through the screen to feel Katara’s waterbending.
The costumes all look authentic and not cheap at all, creating very colorful shots and once again bringing the cultures of the world to life.
The show creates a great, tense atmosphere fit for a world in the midst of a 100-year war. It is rated TV-PG, a few ratings up from the original’s rating of TV-Y7, meaning that kids who watch this may want an adult nearby. The show does get a bit darker than the original, with graphic displays of bending being used to harm others and some foul language.
The soundtrack didn’t stand out too much, but the remasters of the original theme, as well as the drums of the ending credits, can trigger nostalgic feelings in fans of the original.
The new series carries many of the same themes as the original, such as friendship, how war affects people in different ways and moving on from painful experiences. It also has a little to say about sexism but less so than the original.
Overall, for newcomers to the “ATLA” universe, the new live action is not a bad place to start. Fans of the original may be disappointed, however, in the rushed plotlines and sequence of events but excited to see their favorite characters come to life. There are some significant divergences from the original plot that fans of the original may not like, but if you can look past those, the series is quite enjoyable. There’s a magical world in store for those who are willing to take a chance on this new take on “Avatar: The Last Airbender.”
