Did Netflix actually create gold with this show? Well let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
I’ve watched the live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender and I did not not enjoy it. It was fun, but nothing like the animated show. I guess that can be a good or bad thing depending on how you look at it.
For one thing the characters remain mostly the same and the character arcs are fantastic. Aang and Zuko’s story are entertaining and mostly in tact. Netflix definitely didn’t miss with the casting of Gordon Cormier as Avatar Aang and Dallas Liu as Prince Zuko.
Gordon still has that childlike wonder like the original Aang. Zuko is still the boy just trying to gain his father’s approval. And Katara is still the nurturing figure among them all. The rest of the casting was also great, but I don’t exactly agree with the changes to their characterisation.
Sokka is still the comic relief, but so much about his character has been changed, but Ian Ousley is great.Paul Sun-Hyung Lee as Uncle Iroh is perfect. He’s the uncle we all want. Elizabeth Yu as Azula was criticised, but I’m not totally against. And Daniel Dae Kim as Fire Lord Ozai is possibly on of the greatest casting choices.
My main problem is the story choices, especially the skipping of some awesome filler episodes we got in the original show. The show feels like it’s moving too fast, while also too slow – if that makes sense. It kind of feels off for some reason. The fight choreography was fantastic and well executed.
Now if you didn’t watch the OG show then you’re probably going to love it, for me it just didn’t stand out. It didn’t have that binge-watching quality of most Netflix shows. It’s still fun and unlike some people I think the visuals are pretty spectacular at times.
I think the best way to view this show is as an alternative adaptation of the original or rather like it is set in a different universe. It’s evident why the original creators left, but I think the new showrunner and team did the best they could.
I hope the show gets renewed so they can fix all the flaws for the second season. Avater: The Last Airbender is one of my favourite animated shows ever, and Netflix tried but they didn’t completely hit the mark. At least they didn’t miss either. I will still recommend this show, maybe others will like it more than I do. Like I said the casting was fantastic.
