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jbosselman-40735
Reviews
Avatar: The Last Airbender (2024)
An overall great show that clearly was made with lots of love for the original
Wow okay, as a huge huge Avatar fan introduced to the show as a kid, I think this show is the best possible remake we can hope to get. Remakes inherently aren't going to be a 1 to 1 direct copy, which I think people just need to adjust their expectations to a bit.
I initially had holdbacks for any/all changes to the show, but when thinking such changes through after episodes, they truly do make sense with the overall through line the show is developing. I love the first season of the animated show but this live action version certainly does a better job of establishing a consistent plot/flow throughout the season (the animated season does have a lot of filler episodes, which I lovingly admit).
The writers also clearly didn't make changes Willy Nilly, but with love and care. They reference loved aspects of the show they weren't able to fit in and even tie in tiny details from the comics. It's honestly fun to see the nods to the show we all love. And then they also do some of the most iconic scenes from the show almost exactly one to one (like the Masks episode was perfection).
Another gripe I consistently see is from others is on tone and humor. I honestly think this is a very reasonable change that suits the live action format. It's like they made a more realistic version of the original for the now-adult fans to enjoy. The GAang has experienced so much hardship and trauma - and it shows. While I do miss a lot of Aang's bubbly nature, we do still see it peek through and his changes make a lot of sense for a kid who has just lost his entire people. I honestly think it might be a strength of the live action to be able to have that darkness that a kids show for Nickelodeon couldn't.
And speaking of characters, the casting for me is fantastic: Sokka is perfect (me literally SCREAMInG at the Sokka-Suki scene - be still my beating heart omg). Zuko is such a perfect angsty teenager, with Azula being acted so well. I love Katara's clear growth over the season and am excited to see these actors, especially the younger actors like Katara and Aang's, settle and grow into their roles in hopefully a second season.
Those are just the parts I feel like I need to defend, but the bending and art of the season is absolutely beautiful (even coming from me a CGI hater). The fight scenes are gorgeous and Appa and Momo are utterly adorable. And Hei-Bei?? So well done.
Overall, I think it a truly enjoyable show that was made with so much quality and love. Of course I have my small gripes here and there but I don't think that negates the positives of the show. I hope people can watch with open minds and a bit kinder hearts: it may have changes but at its core, it's creating and expanding the atla world in ways we never would have gotten without the show. As a fandom who grew up with the lessons of adaptability and inclusivity from the original show, we should try to love this new version as just that, its own version.
I'm utterly excited to rewatch and for a second season!! If you've made it this far, thanks for reading :)