As a seasoned gamer and anime enthusiast with countless hours invested in these digital worlds, I can’t help but feel a tinge of nostalgia mixed with a pinch of disappointment when it comes to Netflix’s adaptation of “Avatar: The Last Airbender.”
Every time Netflix selects a popular anime series for its upcoming live-action version, it walks on thin ice. “Avatar: The Last Airbender” is one of the most memorable animated shows from the 2000s. It continues to resonate deeply with numerous adults who’d love to relive their first experience watching it. Netflix attempted to transform “The Last Airbender” into a live-action series, but the results were less than ideal. However, there are valuable lessons to be learned from this misstep, and hopefully, they can do better in future attempts.
Netflix followed up their version of “One Piece” with the release of “Avatar.” Many viewers consider this live-action adaptation of Eiichiro Oda’s masterpiece as the best Netflix has produced in terms of anime shows. The series pays homage to its source material, making it a satisfying addition to one of the most beloved franchises ever. It sparked excitement among fans when they saw previews for “Avatar.” Although Netflix’s latest anime adaptation is an improvement over some past attempts, it falls short of being particularly impressive.
What went wrong in Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender?
| Showrunner | Albert Kim |
|---|---|
| Stars | Gordon Cormier, Kiawentiio, Ian Ousley, Dallas Liu, and Paul Sun-Hyung Lee |
| Episodes | 8 |
| Release Date | February 22, 2024 |
The popular series “Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender” has been given approval for two more seasons. Despite some mixed reviews from critics, who rated it with a 59% positive score, the show’s success on viewership metrics is undeniable. It seems that merely having this title was enough to attract millions of viewers, investing collectively billions of hours into the series. The high audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes suggest that viewers appreciate the show more than critics do. However, decisions made by the studio that led to the original creators leaving the adaptation may be subject to change in future seasons.
The Pacing Doesn’t Work
Netflix’s version of Avatar condenses the original series’ episodes into a more compact format, but at the cost of losing many side-stories and enjoyable moments that made the show special. The new Aang, compared to the original, focuses more on moving the plot forward rather than taking time for leisure activities. While he expresses a desire to have fun, he often rushes the story instead. This issue is present throughout the cast. The adaptation also seems to prioritize minor characters over important ones when distributing screen time. To improve, the showrunners need to find a way to balance plot development with character development and manage their time more effectively. This was less of an issue for Netflix’s One Piece, but they managed to condense central story arcs into two episodes. However, this strategy wouldn’t work for Avatar. A consistent approach could help improve the pacing and allocation of screen time.
A Game of Thrones Tone With Grade School Dialogue
One issue some viewers find with Netflix’s adaptation of Avatar is their attempt to make it seem more mature. This usually doesn’t imply that it will delve deeper into complex themes or handle things subtly. Instead, it means there will be more character deaths and graphic violence. The intention seems to be allowing older viewers to watch without feeling childish. Regrettably, the writing quality of Netflix’s Avatar often falls short compared to the original series. It tends to be overtly obvious, explaining every plot detail in a dull and unengaging manner. They won’t attract the audience of Game of Thrones by both oversimplifying and condescending to viewers as if they were young children.
Everyone Loves These Characters For Their Flaws
In a surprising move, Netflix seems to avoid portraying flaws in their characters from the Avatar series. This was evident even before the show’s release, as changes like removing Sokka’s adolescent sexism were announced. While this trait wasn’t inherently crucial to the character, it was a reflection of a flaw that the original series depicted in Sokka. His sexist views were challenged and overcome by strong female characters. Similarly, Aang’s propensity for avoiding responsibilities and preferring playful activities has been softened. In the original show, this was manifested in his fear-driven decision to abandon the Air Temple. Netflix’s interpretation presents him leaving to gather his thoughts, thus removing any negative traits associated with that action. It remains unclear whether this change was made to appease fans or for the sake of convenience, but it could potentially diminish viewer interest before reaching season 3.
How could Netflix’s The Last Airbender improve in its next two seasons?
It feels cheap to suggest that The Last Airbender would do better by emulating its source material. Adaptations have to make changes to fit the new format. Remaining chained to the original series would likely tank the show. It’s also reasonable to spend a ton of time on action scenes, since that’s probably where most of the budget went. It’s fair to say that they have the fight scenes down. The show’s visual design is generally very good. It’s easily the best aspect of the show, and it isn’t likely to decline in the following seasons. Since they figured out how to make one of the most beautiful animated series of all time still look great in live-action, they can move on and tackle the parts they fumbled. The characters need to retain their more complicated aspects. They need to have arcs, and the only way to grow is to start somewhere other than the top. The show needs to take its time and explore details beyond the central plotline. The showrunners need to pick a lane between amping up the dark tone and dumbing down the writing.
Netflix’s “Avatar: The Last Airbender” still holds promise. The acting is superb, the visuals are impressive, and there are two more seasons planned. With some adjustments between seasons one and two, it could easily get back on track. The issues might stem from higher-ups since the creators seem to value the source material. Similar to Aang, the show has room for improvement before embarking on its next phase of development.
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2024-08-06 00:34