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Avatar: The Last Airbender (TV Review)

Avatar: The Last Airbender

Netflix is now taking the plunge with its live-action of Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko's beloved noughties series . The eight-episode series is the first to be released in the franchise since the epic shambles of M. Night Shyamalan‘s 2010 attempt. Frankly, it did everything but blow you away. It's no secret that revivals and remakes are a sensitive thing. Loyal fans can revel in being taken back into their fantasy world. On the flip side, the idea that a modern take on an (incredibly biased) idea of perfect could exist, is enough to send them into turmoil.

Episode one throws you straight into the fictional world. There is minimal build-up, with little to no time to develop any sense of character attachment. Following an initial alleyway brawl, you enter the realm of the airbenders' temple. There is unrest between the four nations. A need for said chosen one (the Avatar), who is capable of bending all elements, is imminent. The pacing feels incredibly rushed. By ten minutes in, Aang (Gordon Cormier) has been told of his destiny. All despite neglecting the audience's chance to connect with his character, given he was briefly introduced only a few minutes prior.

Unfortunately, that feeling of being rushed through details whilst watching continues throughout. An abundance of information, tropes, and characters overwhelm the viewer, as all lack the clarity and depth they deserve. The narrative itself isn't particularly complex, but it is simply not allowed to breathe (no pun intended). Though they were shorter, the original animated series comprised of 20 episodes in season one alone. With an additional one or two episodes, both clarification and relaxation in the plot could be more easily achieved.

The series boasts a vast ensemble cast, including Daniel Dae Kim who offers up a convincingly evil portrayal of Fire Lord Ozai. Despite this, enter the series' second biggest flaw – the acting. Most of the cast possess a lack of major experience, and therefore some benefit of the doubt is needed. That being said, this can only go so far. For the most part, the lacklustre and often cringeworthy performances only extend the inability to feel connected to the characters. The weak screenwriting is unable to save this, almost enabling this problem with the cliché dialogue.

That being said, loyal fans of the original may still flock to and indulge in the series. If you can look past the flaws, and instead see the series as another layer of the franchise, then the revival offers the space to reminisce. Perhaps you can travel back to your childhood, when you were first introduced to the Avatar universe, while simultaneously being supplied with hits of dopamine as you enter and encounter battles within the fantasy world.

By the midway point, so long as you've accepted that this restricting format is to stay, the wooden acting becomes more bearable. Undoubtedly the exciting elemental battles greater aid this. Let's face it, no matter how underdeveloped, the concept of having powers will never be uncool.

Desperation is the overarching feeling as The Last Airbender rushes to reach its (anti)climax. This becomes even more ridiculous once the credits roll, teasing the potential of another season. All in all, it's a strange experience. Due to the pace, you might accept that future seasons are unlikely, hence the need to squeeze 20 episodes into eight, only to find that it is highly likely to be the case. It is a confusing, disappointing end.

Ultimately, Avatar: The Last Airbender is something of a juxtaposition, both delivering and failing, if you believe that to be possible. Final opinions will be determined by whatever it is you are hoping for. There was always the potential for it to flop, especially when a prior attempt to revive the world did just that. Sadly there is too much to take on, with the strict time constraints that it has been given. The series never finds that sweet spot like the original had. However, the foundations have been built, and it doesn't completely damage the franchise. If future seasons shift the focus from throwing everything at nothing to character expansion, then they may be in for a shot. There is a clear potential for growth, and it has all the ingredients, so here's to hoping the execution follows suit.

Avatar: The Last Airbender is available to stream on Netflix now.