Netflix's Avatar The Last Airbender: Comparative Review

So, this is a big one, isn't it? Nickelodeon's Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-2008) is often hailed as one of the best TV series to ever air, animation or not. It was wildly successful while airing, and is still often referenced in modern pop culture. This is for good reason, because not only was it an interesting concept and had fun world-building, but it is a true adventure series where we are taken along for the ride while each and every character gets to learn more about themselves while facing unexpected and difficult challenges. By bringing in the nuance of war and philosophy, Avatar: The Last Airbender (ATLA) became more than just an entertaining show, but rather a conversation, that even children were welcome to be a part of. Creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko poured their hearts and souls into the series and it showed in the final product. So much so, that the series has not only one live action attempt, but now two! And it's time to see how Netflix's try went. 

Netflix first announced in that they obtained the rights to an ATLA live-action series in September 2018, with Albert Kim as the showrunner. The production originally included creators DiMartino and Konietzko, however they left shortly after writing began citing creative differences. This was the first red flag in what this show may become, however fans stayed optimistic as Netflix had recent success with a live-action adaptation of beloved anime, One Piece. Personally, I think that has nothing to do with the ATLA live-action production, as it was completely different people working on this show. However, I still wanted to give this a fair chance, so I decided to watch from two lenses: 1) As an adaptation of the original show's strengths and, 2) from the production quality as a standalone. This is mostly because the producers stated they wanted to attempt their own take on the iconic story, so I'm going in expecting differences but I wanted to see if Netflix could replicate the charm and feel of what made the original so engaging. 

We are given the general same story: boy found in ice is realized to be the lost Avatar, and he must master all four elements to save the world from being thrown out of balance. This works, and we have a typical hero's journey story. What makes the hero's journey such a versatile template is the details, and the sheer amount of possibility that lies within that. However, this is exactly where the live-action seemed to struggle. The live-action rids of perceived "filler" and focuses solely on the plot driven moments of the original series. This makes the show feel very action heavy, and before you can process what just happened, the next is already coming. There is little characterization, which was a major strength of the original show. In the animation, full episodes were devoted to the growth of characters and our admiration of them as the audience. We see the main cast grow, struggle, fail, and triumph. However, this live-action demands payoff without putting in any of the work of buildup throughout the season. This makes the show feel weaker than it really deserves, as I think there is merit here. The Netflix writers clearly have a talent in compiling multiple story arcs from the original animated series into something that feels cohesive in the live-action, but it simply needed more time. Eight episodes attempting to fit what was originally twenty episodes of content is just unreasonable, and very little of the original is actually unnecessary. While, yes, we got episodes that were more character driven, it is clear after watching the live-action how important that characterization is towards the overall appeal of the story. 

I purposely kept myself from rewatching Book 1 (season 1) of the animated ATLA series in the last year, so I could come into this fresh minded enough. What I quickly realized was happening, however, is that in some ways the live-action relied on the memories of the audience having watched the animated series, to keep itself from having to exert too much of its own energy. This simply does not work. You cannot expect audiences to accept a product that wants to stand on its own, while trying to lean on aspects of the original that only fans would know. You have to set things up again, properly and fully. This does not happen with a lot of the live-action's writing, and it causes the show to suffer. Again, this could stand to improve with just a bit more runtime. The way the live-action currently is, makes it no more engaging than any other teen-targeted Netflix show that is currently out. 

However, I must say I am actually very impressed with many of the changes and compilations that they did choose to actually explore. With many mini arcs that served to enforce and reinforce character growth and themes in the animated series, the live-action writers were creative in their strategies to pull together the arcs that had similar thematic lessons. This, along with some really effective additions of showing us events before the beginning of the original story, are welcome changes that I found very strong. Prince Zuko is the best served character in this regard, and he is the only character that really grabbed my attention in this adaptation. This is in part due to the brilliance of Dallas Liu's portrayal of Zuko, and the clear favoritism in the writing. Had maybe all the main characters had this level of attention, this would've been a stronger adaptation overall. 

The cast brings us many new and young faces, and some do better than others. Gordon Cormier as Avatar Aang did an amazing job of bringing the fun-loving and strong-hearted monk to life, but corny dialogue really keeps him from shining. I wanted to see more, and be told less. This is also an issue with Katara, who is played by Kiawentiio. I think Kiawentiio had the spirit, but not the opportunity to really give us that compassionate, rage-filled young woman due to the writing. This is in part to do with how Sokka's (Played by Ian Ousley) personality was majorly changed, going from a sexist, over-confidant young man to an insecure, charmless big brother. This inherently changes the dynamic between Sokka and Katara, which was a vital dynamic that served the story as a whole. Changing Sokka, changes Katara. We get less driven characters, with weaker arcs as a result. We need characters to start at one extreme for us to appreciate their growth later. Currently, there is no room for meaningful growth that I actually care about in the live-action for the main trio. And with no room for characterization for them, there's even less available for the shoehorned fire nation characters: Firelord Ozai (Played by Daniel Dae Kim), Azula (Played by Elizabeth Yu), Mai (Played by Thalia Tran) and Ty Lee (Played by Momona Tamada). These characters are originally more delved into in Book 2 of the original animation, and for good reason. Season 1 should be dedicated to developing and establishing our main cast; by adding in these fire nation characters now, we feel like characters are just being thrown at us, and we don't care about them. This was a change that I think served no real purpose. Finally, is fan favorite Iroh, who is played well by Paul Sun-Hyung Lee. His role stays primarily the same, and fortunately the writing around his character is actually well done, maybe leeching from some of the favoritism of Zuko's writing, due to their shared story at this point in the series. Lee and Liu also have a chemistry that the main trio lack, so their perspective ends up taking the spotlight.

In terms of the look of the show, I really have to say I could not be more happy with the look of the elemental bending. The CGI is seamless, and the elements look realistic but pliable. This is unfortunately overshadowed by the absolute dumpster fire that is the sets and green screens. It reminded me of a stage show with how obvious it is that the live-action was filmed on set rather than on location. This was a major mistake as it was supremely distracting with how CGI heavy this show already is. You can pick one or the other, but please, doing both is just a disgrace. This, coupled with the questionable choices in terms of hair and costume, makes the show very unappealing to watch. A 1:1 replication of aesthetics really doesn't work when it comes to costume adaptations like this, and instead makes it appear like a bunch of cosplay pals got together to recreate their favorite scenes. I think there was room here for creativity, and to see them go the safe route is disappointing.

Finally, a qualm of mine is the lack of martial arts choreography in the bending. This is something that made bending feel very realistic and very much a skill that must be worked on. For that to be missing from the live-action is a huge issue, because this was a prime opportunity for the live-action to shine from the perspective of defending the need for a live-action. Whats the point of making it in live-action, unless to show the prowess of the moves in true martial arts choreography? The general hand to hand combat was much better than any bending we got, and that is really sad considering just how much martial arts research was done for the original.

Overall, the live-action is an okay attempt towards making a true ATLA adaptation, but it falls just short of success. This adaptation fails to understand what makes ATLA work, and focuses too much on setting things up that happen in the future, that it completely misses that robust foundation. While strong swings are made with creative merging of mini arcs and the additions of darker themes and scenes, Netflix is far from a home run with season 1 of Avatar: The Last Airbender (2024). However, Netflix has proven a successful ATLA live-action adaptation is not as far from reality as it may seem, and if we can just get out of this era of eight episode seasons and spoon feeding audiences, maybe we will get the shows we actually deserve.

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If you want more thoughts on specific changes made throughout the season, continue reading below. Be warned, spoilers are now on the table!

Episode 1

• I love the inclusion of seeing the air nation prepare for the comet festival, and the subsequent fire nation invasion. It sets a dark tone for the show, and shows us just the type of destruction the fire nation really put the world through. We also get to see the sheer power of air bending on a larger scale, and this is something not appreciated enough. I loved this, and this was the perfect place to put this to set up the show. 
• I'm not mad at the changes so far in terms of how Aang is found and Sokka's battle with Zuko. These fit well into the show so far, and serve a purpose towards this version of the story.
• The exposition dumping is boring; show us things! Don't tell us! Aang should portray being fun, not just tell us he is fun. This is also making transitions awkward, as no one is reacting really to what they are learning. Why are they not more freaked out about Aang being an airbender, let alone the Avatar?! 

Episode 2

• Getting into the first major changes of the series here: Sokka's lack of sexism. This is something that I think isn't necessarily needed, but having the original to compare to, highlights how soulless this adaptation currently feels. What is the point of having perfect characters? Sokka learns how wrong his sexism is in the original through some tough love, and through that arc we are taught people can change. There is hope for you, and you do not have to be perfect to be worthy of legend. With Sokka's live-action writing, he is more one-dimensional in his desire to be a warrior, and while this is fine, it's a bit boring.
• Suki read as incredibly awkward to me. This is a divergence from the Suki we know and love, but makes sense in terms of her character's circumstances in the live-action, and the emphasis on her being sheltered on Kyoshi Island. This, however, is shattered when she kisses Sokka confidently, and it just feels inconsistent with what we are shown for her demeanor up until that point. Like, pick one?
• Suki is one of the best looking characters, and has very fine-tuned costume and makeup.
• Kyoshi taking over Aang's body made me laugh! Where did that come from?! This is the beginning of the differences in the Netflix's version of the "rules" of the Avatar-state and just how much influence the previous Avatars have. Not mad at it, but curious as to why this is the course that was chosen...
  
• I don't mind the changes in this episode, it works in terms of the live-action's tone and timeline. Overall, the pacing was better in this episode than the last.

Episode 3

• Oh! We are getting a hodgepodge episode? I see why they combined these stories, and it's actually successful in term of the show by itself, however it still lacks the heart of those original episodes that it combines. That heart being the space to better get to know the side characters and actually care about them and their stories.
• Ozai is more active villain, taking a more comic book style story. Not a bad choice, but I do think he was introduced early. Along with this, we get Azula, and some mental games Ozai is playing with her. I don't think this is a desired or effective change, and this focus takes away time that could be better served with the main cast.
• ..."For the fire nation" is cringe. 

Episode 4

• The conversations between Aang and Iroh are actually a nice touch, and I think giving them more time in this adaptation is a great choice as our resident spiritual totems. 
• Bumi being a dick is not the move... like I guess it is maybe necessary in some ways, but others it just feels excessive, and unless you are an animation watcher, his flip at the end doesn't really make sense. This is a prime example of relying on the memory of the animation watcher while not properly setting up the reason in the live-action. 
• I appreciate Iroh being called out for his destruction. This is something that isn't heavily explored, but he caused so much death, that he is now repenting for. Also, Zuko being close to his cousin is a super cute addition, and one I absolutely welcome. However, we are getting Book 2 emotions in Book 1, and that feels rushed.

Episode 5

• More changes around the "rules" of how the spirit world works. I don't really like Sokka and Katara joining Aang in the spirit world, but in terms of the mini arcs they are trying to combine, I see why it happened. They meet Wan Shi Tong much earlier now, and I'm not sure exactly why this is done. Maybe season 2 will be clearer. 
• Koh is a much more prominent subantagonist this time. I think Koh being more of an ambiguous spirit was better because it added an element of horror that is kind of missing here. In terms how it is brought into the live-action as a standalone, I guess it's fine but it feels sloppy especially with Aang leaving them in the spirit world with this supposed dangerous spirit.
• I really enjoyed the addition of Katara and Sokka's memories with their mother and father respectively. These memories are some of my favorite additions of the show.
• Azula being jealous is a major departure from her original character, and not for the better. We already have Zuko, and we don't need a 2.0.

Episode 6

• By far my favorite episode! I loved the fight choreography and how the Blue Spirit was handled. This was a very strong Zuko episode just like in the original series, and I think what contributes to this is the fact that it focused on him. This is a great example of why we need character driven episodes for all of the main cast. 
• The actual Zuko and Aang scenes are nice, but feel rushed?
  

Episode 7

• Okay, Aang having not practiced any water bending yet is a bold choice, especially given we have lost episodes such as that with Jeong Jeong where Aang develops stronger feelings around bending more elements, and Katara soft-discovering healing. 
• This episode just feels so empty and soulless. There was simply not enough build up to what is happening here.
• I don't like this version of Yue; not every modern female character needs to be girlboss hyper-independent! What made her so ethereal is her strong will and duty to her tribe. Making her a fox spirit was...random? Also, her wig is a crime to humanity and I hope whoever made it for this actress is ashamed. 
• Aang reaching out to Kuruk is a good choice, considering he didn't do that until the end of the original. In Book 1 he generally relies on Roku, so seeing him take advantage of a larger variety of Avatars is cathartic.

Episode 8

• The development in skills for Katara and Sokka feel undeserved - yes we are told they've gone on many adventures and helped people, but I do stand firm that we really needed to see more of that for this to feel like true payoff. Right now, I don't really care about Katara becoming a master, or about Sokka becoming a strategist, because I don't think they deserved it.
• Katara bringing the women to help is actually very nice, and is reminiscent of the Haru episode of the original.
• Yue's sacrifice feels awkward, and I wish there was some more buildup with her and Sokka; I think part of this is due to the changes in Yue's personality. Sokka should've been shown more desperately trying to stop her or something, show us his reaction! Her spirit slipping away in his arms was a powerful moment in the animation, and we needed it here.
• Being spoonfed what happened with the Ocean Spirit and Aang wasn't actually too bad, but it takes away from the intensity of the situation. Just let us see their connection, then the subsequent wrath!
• Zhao being batshit delusional was actually so well done, and I actually believe he is a crazy man! Him killing the Moon Spirit was brutal, and I appreciate him not backing down from that decision. I do wish they kept him choosing to die rather than be save by Zuko from the original, as it really drove home his conviction.
• The aftermath of the destruction was a very sobering addition, especially being shown that a young boy who was put in Katara's care was included in the casualties. This is strong, and I hope we get more of this.