Ever since its debut in 2009, “Avatar” has been a frequent subject of distinction in popular culture. Whenever anyone discusses James Cameron’s science fiction film or Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko’s cherished animated series, they usually feel compelled to clarify which one they’re referring to first. Phrases like “the one with people controlling elements, not the one featuring blue alien cats” are commonly heard. Although it’s never been difficult to differentiate between the two, as James Cameron’s film series progresses, it appears to be drawing closer and closer to “The Last Airbender” with each new revelation.
Avatar seemed satisfactory on its own, without needing any sequels. The movie had a solid start, development, and conclusion to establish and resolve its conflicts effectively. However, the concept of Avatar was a deep-rooted one for its creator, constantly lingering in his thoughts and evolving over the years. It’s understandable that James Cameron felt compelled to create more than one Avatar, but it appears he has had ample time to flesh out the story. It’s intriguing to speculate about which elements of the upcoming Avatar sequels are entirely new, and which ideas might have originated from the script Cameron wrote as early as 1994.
Avatar has more and more in common with Avatar
Initially, conversations about similarities between ‘Avatar’ (the movie) and ‘Avatar’ (the TV show) began as humorous banter. However, their only commonality lies in their shared name, chosen for its catchy sound and vague connection to the themes of both works. The term ‘avatar’ originates from Sanskrit and represents a spiritual entity assuming a new form to interact physically in Hinduism. In one context, Cameron’s avatars are genetically engineered bodies used by humans to invade an alien planet, while in the other, the Avatar is a legendary figure chosen to harness immense power and save their world. Although the stories initially had no resemblance, Cameron’s sequels have continued to delve into Pandora and uncover aspects that seem strikingly similar to the Nickelodeon cartoon.
The story began with “The Way of Water,” which presented a community of water-loving Na’vi. They are secluded and cherish their spiritual bond with the ocean, but often face aggression from hostile forces. James Cameron later hinted at the introduction of additional Na’vi clans representing different elements. Particularly interesting are the fire Na’vi, who are warlike conquerors that may bring evil to Pandora’s native inhabitants. A sneak peek of “Avatar: Fire and Ash” was recently shown at CinemaCon, revealing more about these fire Na’vi. Unlike their water counterparts, they have dominion over fire instead, demonstrating a powerful control over an element. Additionally, Cameron unveiled the air Na’vi, who live in a nomadic floating city in the sky. These elements share striking similarities with the worldbuilding concepts in “Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Avatar is built out of tropes
In essence, both films, “Avatar” and its namesake, borrow heavily from common storytelling elements or tropes. They construct their emotional narratives on these familiar foundations, which some viewers argue are more reminiscent of “Dune”, but without the complexity that original work possesses. The underlying concepts aren’t as cohesive, but they share a similar narrative structure, with “Avatar” incorporating elements of subversion in its anti-white-savior narrative that is not present in “Dune”. Given its reliance on tried and tested storytelling devices, it’s natural for “Avatar” to resemble “The Last Airbender”, as both feature societies themed around elements, with many of the choices within these themes being similarly predictable. However, it should be noted that one execution might be more effective than the other.
Why does it work better when The Last Airbender does it?
Absolutely, I wholeheartedly agree that “Avatar: The Last Airbender” skillfully employs many familiar storytelling elements in constructing its universe. Characters from the four nations can sometimes appear stereotypical, resembling a “Planet of Hats,” where each character represents their race’s expected roles. However, the show masterfully infuses these characters with depth and complexity, avoiding the pitfalls often associated with such tropes.
One reason why this works so well for “The Last Airbender” is because it essentially set the standard for these storytelling devices, becoming a beloved icon for an entire generation of fans. Moreover, “Avatar” delves deeply into the world of benders and their repercussions, treating its elemental tribes like variations of popular comic book characters. This distinction lies in using tropes as a basis to expand upon rather than as the very fabric of the world itself.
Although there are some shared elements between the two works titled “Avatar”, they could hardly be more distinct in terms of cultural influence. “The Last Airbender” continues to captivate countless fans, eagerly anticipating fresh content from its creators. On the other hand, “Avatar” (the movie franchise) is financially successful yet lacks the same level of conversation among audiences. The similarities serve to highlight their differences, further underscoring the need for clarity when discussing which “Avatar” is being referenced.
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2025-04-10 19:07