We have been waiting for over five years for this live-action series and it’s finally here. The first episode of the highly anticipated live-action version of the popular anime series “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” titled “Aang,” sets a high standard for what’s to come.
Given past experiences with earlier adaptations, like the movie that we don’t talk about, fans of the original anime series approached this one with a mixture of excitement and worry.
But “Episode 1” tells an engaging story that pays homage to its original material while adding fresh elements that expand the scope and depth of the plot.
Avatar: The Last Airbender Review
The episode does a fantastic job of guiding viewers through the vast Avatar universe, beginning with the series’ all-new and original additions, which are all included within the first 20 minutes of each episode. Like the disastrous effect of Sozin’s comets and the Air Nomads’ ensuing massacre.
I would suggest parents of younger children go through the first 20 minutes of the show before showing it to their kids because the opening segment is so brutal. Just bear in mind that the whole story centers on a violent war, so that makes sense.
Following the original show, the adaptation swiftly turns to the original material, beginning with Sokka and Katara’s discovery of Ang.
The first three episodes of the original series—”The Boy in the Iceberg,” “The Avatar Returns,” and “The Southern Air Temple”—are ultimately adapted into a single, one-hour and one-minute episode.
The events leading up to Aang’s discovery, his capture by Zuko and the Fire Nation, and his eventual escape with the help of Katara and Sokka pave the way for an incredible journey that will take them to the Southern Air Temple and, in the second episode, Koshi Island. All the while, the adaptation forges its own route while staying true to the essence of the original.
Cast Performance
The casting and performances are excellent, with the younger actors, especially Gordon Cormier’s Aang as well as Ian Ousley’s Sokaa, perfectly expressing their characters’ essences.
Some were afraid Aang would lose his sense of innocent childlike wonder. However, I can already tell you that Aang’s portrayal is the same as it was in the original series.
Gordon handles the more lighthearted humorous tones as well as the serious parts with ease. His act alone brought tears to my eyes multiple times during the first episode. Although Bending is more severe in this adaptation, it doesn’t detract in the slightest from the fun.
Ian Ousley amazed me, I didn’t think he was going to win me over as he did. While I didn’t anticipate him to be particularly bad, I wasn’t expecting him to be quite as interesting as Sokka.
Likewise, Dallas Liu brings a varied performance to Zuko, giving a much less dramatic performance compared to his anime counterpart, which I liked.
Kiawentto, who does not have as much to work with in this first episode as Katara, captures the character’s compassion and strength.
As for the older cast, Gran Gran in particular, you might have heard from other fans that she didn’t have the best performance.
Some thought Gran Gran’s speech was forced and awkward. But her portrayal worked for me since I didn’t think about it while I was watching because it seemed like she was a village elder retelling the story of the Avatar.
But what shocked me was Paul Lee’s Uncle Oroh. Don’t get me wrong, I thought his performance was excellent, but it did feel very different from his cartoon counterpart, and it will take some getting used to.
Direction And Writing
The episodes, timing, and direction were mainly well executed, with only minor problems in the transition of dramatic moments that might have benefited from a moment’s pause for emotional impact.
In particular, after the tragic events of Aang finding Gyatso’s corpse, it is quickly undermined by a joke made by Sokka.
The writing, while not revolutionary, fulfills its purpose and strikes a balance between respecting the original and bringing fresh elements.
The directing shines in its representation of the bending, making it a more visceral and impactful aspect of the series, highlighting the power’s danger and beauty.
In fact, one of the earlier scenes features perhaps the most stunning depiction of an air-bending tornado, followed by a terrifying firestorm that took my breath away.
Fire and Water Bending (Credits: Netflix)I love how the backgrounds are always moving, there are trees in the background moving, and people are doing stuff in the village. Just because the camera is focused on Aang, Katara or Sokka doesn’t mean the village stops working.
There are people always working in the background, they’re getting things done and it truly feels real. This was a massive problem in the 2010 Movie. There are scenes where the background characters are literally doing nothing in that movie, and it just felt so odd.
Visuals And VFX
For the most part, The visual effects were phenomenal. The cinematography is flawless, with amazing scenes that bring the world of Avatar to life like never before. The bending effects are amazing, with very few small flaws that barely affect the overall perfection.
But there was one sequence featuring Katara’s water ball that I didn’t particularly enjoy. And when Aang enters the Avatar stage for the final time in the episode, there are a few close-ups of his face that are ok.
Furthermore, the production design and visuals not only pay homage to the anime series but also elevate the content, bringing the magical aspects into real life. The show gives you a unique feeling that you are living in the universe of Avatar from the very first scene.
As for the Avatar world itself, it was so emotional to see all of these iconic locations from the animated series in real life.
Even though these locations were all CGI, they felt real. It felt like something I could go and see in real life. This is a fantasy series making a fantasy series film feel real is hard, but they pulled it off.
Sound Design and Music
The musical score, with its complete orchestral arrangements, complements the story, enhancing both emotional and action-packed scenes.
The sound design works nicely with the visuals, especially with the representation of Bending, adding a sense of realism and tension.
I’ve heard a lot about the Kyoshi novels, and the way bending feels dangerous in that book is exactly how it feels in this episode. I can’t stress enough how dangerous bending appears in this show, and the music only serves to emphasize this.
There’s a lot of very familiar Avatar The Last Airbender theme music from the original anime that they played during the Netflix versions of Avatar. The use of the original musical cues, modified for this new context, is a lovely tribute to the series’ origins.
Overall Review
Most importantly, this adaptation feels like a great series I can share with my friend who does not watch anime, which I found more difficult with the original show.
In fact, I think that this first episode of the show is more interesting and powerful than the first one from the original anime.
I believe a lot of new Avatar fans will join our ranks, much like One Piece and The Last of Us, and I’m looking forward to seeing this series grow.
The first episode of Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender adaptation is an excellent starting point. It captures the brilliance of the original while providing a unique perspective that is sure to fascinate new and returning fans.
The episode gets a 9 out of 10 from me, and an 8 out of 10 if I want to be picky. By striking a balance between the creative freedom of expansion and the duty of adaptation, it establishes a positive tone for the series.
This episode, with its outstanding performances, impressive cinematography, and genuine storyline, not only reassures doubters but also sparks their interest in what comes next.
Netflix’s Avatar has started its journey on a strong note, promising an emotional as well as interesting adventure.
In addition to this, Mike and Brian are also making animated Avatar The Last Airbender movies, and a brand new series that we’ll see in the next couple of years, too. so Avatar fans are going to be eating good for the next couple of years.
Our Rating: 9.2/10