Netflix’s “Avatar: The Last Airbender” will leave you nostalgic but not blown away

Lily Stone

She/Her

Treasurer

3/1/24

On February 22nd Netflix released the long awaited live action series for Avatar: The Last Airbender. The 8 episode series is captivating for fans of the original cartoon series and the newer generation. The new series delivers a stunning and engaging journey that reflects the original show. There are a few things off here and there from the original series, but otherwise depicts the atmosphere from the animation. The scenery, wardrobe, and fight scenes were incredibly well-done, and had me hooked.

 Netflix’s version of the show starts off following a Waterbender, Katara (Kiawentiio Tarbell) and her brother (Dallas James Liu) Sokka as they discover a boy, Aang (Gordon Cormier), frozen in a giant iceberg. Aang is the supposed Avatar, someone who can wield all the elements; water, earth, fire, air. Long before the start of the show, the Fire Nation wanted control of all the nations and the only one who can stop them is the Avatar. Aang has been frozen for hundreds of years and has no idea that he is the last airbender. The Fire Nation’s prince, Zuko, was banished by his dad and the only way to redeem himself is to find the Avatar. 

Following the journey of the Fire Nation trying to capture Avatar, Aang and the crew meet new people and help as many people as they can while trying to master all the elements to destroy the Fire Nation. 

The creators of the original series Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko were originally hired as executive producers and show runners, but felt that Netflix did not support the retelling of the show and decided to leave the project. The animated series was 20 episodes for the first season and the live action series is 8, so we are missing some pieces but the series still portrays the main idea. 

Director Albert Kim did a great job at maintaining the main ideas, culture and wardrobe for the various nations. 

The cast was perfect for their roles. Alongside the main cast some familiar faces populate cameo roles in smaller roles, including my all time favorite casting for the Fire Lord Ozai, Daniel Dae Kim, and Paul Sun-Hyung Lee as Uncle Iroh. 

This show has been hit with good and bad reviews but personally this series has been really entertaining and nostalgic, I definitely recommend the original series as well.

Editors Note: Go watch “Kim’s Convenience. Paul Sun-Hyung Lee <3