Avatar Live Action
The Avatar the Last Airbender live-action series, on Netflix, has been a long-awaited reintroduction to one of the most critically acclaimed animated cartoons, with many long-term fans excited by the prospect of a new telling of Avatar the Last Airbender. However, fans were immediately disappointed by the eight-episode run time, thinking that the series cut too many important plot points. Furthermore, many viewers felt the live-action series had too much of a focus on backstory, and not enough dialogue was utilized to fully explore the main characters, such as Prince Zuko as well as the avatar himself, Aang. However, the strong element of backstory isn’t as suffocating as some fans say. In the sixth episode “Masks,” viewers got an in-depth backstory of Prince Zuko and how he got his famous scar. Though this story was covered in the cartoon, the live-action explores it in a new and more emotional way, highlighting Prince Zuko’s sense of compassion instead of his dishonor.
The annoyance of fans is understandable — the original cartoon is seen as a masterpiece by many long term fans, therefore adaptations of the cartoon may always be seen as less than. Nevertheless, fans have the right to harbor some disappointment, especially fans who view Avatar the Last Airbender as a relic of their childhood.
However the live-action series takes a more serious and realistic approach to storytelling, than the cartoon. The first episode “Aang” retells the destruction of the Southern Air Temple as well as Aang’s origin story in a more powerful form than the cartoon. This change worked well as it was able to clearly separate itself from the cartoon’s more childlike elements as well as solidify the choice to be more realistic. Another positive change in this episode would be the storytelling of Prince Zuko and his hunt for the avatar. In his first appearance, he is writing in a notebook which contains all the knowledge he has gained on his search. This change works as it shows the dedication of Zuko to finding the avatar and restoring his honor.
Nevertheless, the live-action cuts one of Sokka’s early traits, being sexist. Many fans felt this change wasn’t the right choice as it hindered his character development. In the second episode “Warriors,” Aang, Katara, and Sokka visit Kyoshi Island, home of the Kyoshi Warriors, a group of fierce female fighters who easily outpower the avatar and his friends. The cartoon depicts Sokka thinking he is superior to the warriors, leading to him being quickly humbled by Suki, a strong warrior who brings Sokka to understanding his flaws and making him more open to change. The live-action however, doesn’t portray Sokka as a misogynist and subsequently harms his development.
Though Avatar the Last Airbender live-action isn’t by any means perfect, or significantly better than the original, however it retells the story in a different way that doesn’t diminish or discredit the original in any way.
