Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender (2024): A lukewarm revival
The release of Netflix’s newest adaptation, Avatar: The Last Airbender (2024), has permeated the internet with mixed reviews. While some fans are pleased with its grimmer tone and faithfulness to the original soundtrack, others are disappointed when they compare it to the quality of the original cartoon. As for myself, after hearing the news that the original creators of Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-08) exited the live adaptation project due to creative differences, I knew to start the first episode with low expectations.
Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-08) is one of Nickelodeon's most influential cartoons and has reshaped how an entire generation of people view storytelling in Western animation. The cartoon centers around 12-year-old Aang as he trains to fulfill his Avatar duty: Harness the four elements—earth, water, fire, and air—and restore peace and balance in the world. The show has been a favorite of mine ever since I was young, and it was disheartening for me to expect so little from this new adaptation. Though I’ve only had time to watch the first two episodes, I think I’ve consumed enough of its content to give an honest review—due to its new format’s lengthy nature.
I align myself with those who think the adaptation is unremarkable, but not terrible. Think of sipping lukewarm coffee that has been sitting on your table since the morning; it may be a bit more bitter and disappointing, but you still enjoy it for what it is (or at least, trying to be). In this analogy, you can either wish that reheated, lukewarm coffee could measure up to the taste fresh off the pot, or be grateful that there’s still coffee left. I chose the latter viewpoint as I knew the adaptation would be nothing but lukewarm going in.
There were quite a few things I did not enjoy about the first two episodes of Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender (2024). The most noticeable detriment of the show was the incredibly awkward dialogue. Unfortunately, no amount of skilled line delivery could prevent me from cringing from the horrid writing. The character of Katara, a young water bender who travels alongside Aang, was one I felt the adaptation ruined. A meek, empty shell of a human replaced her fiery passion, feminist drive, and motherly empathy.
While I thought some costume designs were fun, the Water tribe outfits looked too “clean,” and often broke my immersion. It’s easy to remember an actor is merely wearing a costume when a single hair isn’t out of place after battling against the forces continuing their corrupted world. I’m also not fond of the exposition dumps spoon-fed to the audience during the episodes; it was an awkward interruption of the story’s flow, and it was too much information to handle at times. I wish it was delivered naturally, like in the cartoon, and I wonder if a viewer with no prior knowledge would be overwhelmed by the constant lore drops.
Before diving into the aspects of the show I enjoyed, I must discuss its direction regarding the tone. The cartoon was a hilarious, high-spirited adventure with endearing characters, scenes of hope, and a child-like spirit in a world of angst and ruin. It was noticeable that Netflix's adaptation took a darker route: on-screen murders, serious moments, and far less humor. While I’m all for implementing grimmer scenes in the show, I feel like the fun and laughs were completely cleansed in the adaptation, leaving the show dry and uninviting. In my opinion, that is its biggest flaw.
There were still some aspects that I found enjoyable. It was evident that the adaptation attempted to be faithful to the source material (aside from a few changes), and was made with love. Although I wish they were less serious in the adaptation, the actors for Aang and Sokka played their characters with a lot of heart. I also enjoyed the dynamic between Zuko’s and Iroh's actors. Lastly, some scenes, such as when Aang enters the Avatar state and freezes himself, look amazing and feel like they were ripped from the cartoon. Despite its flaws, the adaptation did not fail to give me some chills.
I think animation, an undervalued art, is the perfect medium for this story. This sentiment that I hold was vindicated when the live-action didn’t deliver in the ways it should’ve and could’ve. As mentioned, I’ve only seen the first two episodes, so my opinion may change for the better or worse. As of now, this lukewarm adaptation is one I found watchable despite its glaring flaws. I don’t think it’s expertly crafted enough to recommend it to anyone who is not already a huge fan of the source material, but it is streaming on Netflix for those interested.
Photo of Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-08) logo Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons