Avatar: The Last Airbender (2024) | Netflix TV Series Review

Long ago, before the blue people even existed, the real Avatar – master of all four elements: Water, Earth, Fire, Air – existed in the world. Twenty years ago, Nickelodeon called upon the masters of story and art in Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko to craft a television series that America, nay the world had never seen. One that would transcend both the physical and spiritual connection between kids and parents as they watched a bald headed child save the world. The original Avatar universe has spawned two television series, a live action movie (that we wish never existed), comic books, video games, and a slew of other mediums. Originally airing between 2005-2008, concluding in a two-hour television movie event, fans around the globe have been screaming for more ever sense it went off the air. Welcome to 2024 and Netflix’s live action attempt at Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Season One of the original cartoon saw 20 episodes in Book One: Water, which had a run time of just shy of 480 minutes. Netflix spared no expense bringing the very best of Book One to life in an 8 episode – 430 minute binge channeling their inner badger mole to leave no stone unturned. There are a few shifts to the story here and there, a tweak in pacing for live-action along with a great use of interweaving the history and lore of the past, making this a very faithful adaptation of the original material.

The Avatar is the only human who can master all four elements and bring balance to the world, but 100 years ago he vanished and in that ensuing time, the Fire Nation rampaged across the world throwing it out of balance. 100 years later the Avatar lives once again, and the journey about life, love, loyalty, friendship, family, and energy is about to begin another cycle.

Becoming the Avatar is the last living member of the air nomad tribe, Aang, played by Lost in Space’s Gordon Cormier. Gordon captures both the seriousness of the Avatar’s plight while channeling his inner 12-year old state of humor, light heartedness and warmth. Accompanying him on his journey is Katara and Sokka, Sister and Brother from the Southern Water Tribe. They too have dealt with loss at the hands of the Fire Nation and Kiawentiio Tarbell (Anne with an E) channels Katara’s feelings of loss exquisitely as she grows from her uneasy place in the world, to a true water bending expert. Ian Ousley (13 Reason’s Why) brings the boy who was asked to grow up too quickly to life while channeling his fun sense of dry humor.

Their nemesis is Prince Zuko’s Dallas Liu (Shang-Chi) tasked with finding the Avatar by his father Fire Lord Ozai, played by Daniel Dae Kim (LOST). Helping Zuko is his Uncle Iroh, played by Paul Sun-Hyung Lee (The Mandalorian). The two form a tight bond as Zuko works to win back his father’s honor while also exploring what true honor means through his Uncle’s guidance plus his love for food and tea. Fan favorites also return with the appearances of King Bumi (Utkarsh Ambudkar), Kyoshi Warrior Suki (Maria Zhang), Zuko’s sister Azula (Elizabeth Yu), General Zhao (Ken Leung) and Princess Yue (Amber Midthunder). Overall the acting is very close to the original material, Gordon pulls even more on the guilt the Avatar feels for disappearing 100 years ago, Leung oozes the craftiness Zhao requires, Ihro’s wisdom and love flow effortlessly from Lee, and Zuko’s inner turmoil is captured exquisitely by Liu.

But what makes the world of Avatar amazing is the elemental bending and martial arts which in a cartoon is easy to stylize, live-action not so much. From the opening battles, the different martial art styles of the Fire Benders and Air Benders are clearly displayed and the visual effects flow as extensions of their movements in a perfect dance. Nothing felt super awkward or out of place during these highly creative moments. The score was on point and the original end credits music was used for the end credits here as well. The animals of the world bring the heart and joy of the show and seeing this version of Apa the sky bison and Momo the lemur brought back smiles as joyous as the first time seeing these characters.

Overall Netflix did their best to give long time fans what they wanted, a faithful yet grown up version of what they remembered as kids. After not moving from my couch for 8 hours, are there wonky CGI things? Sure. Are there moments that feel rushed? Absolutely. But to be fair it will never be perfect, nor capture the whimsical feel of the original cartoon. However, Netflix played none of King Bumi’s games and stayed on mission to join both the physical and spiritual heart of the world of Avatar: The Last Airbender, where both old and new fans alike can enjoy this version in perfect balance.

Avatar The Last Airbender released on Netflix February 22, 2024
Starring Gordon Cormier, Kiawentiio, Ian Ousley, Dallas Liu, Paul Sun-Hyung, Daniel De Kim, and Ken Leung
Created by Albert Kim
Based on material by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko

Listen to our full podcast review of Avatar: The Last Airbender on this episode of The Hollywood Outsider podcast: