Whether you enjoyed it or not, Netflix’s live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender has been renewed for both Season 2 and Season 3. Which is a whole lot more than we can say for the appalling movie release from 2010.
However, I’m slightly more inclined to believe that Netflix hasn’t renewed the series due to its success.
Having binge-watched the heck out of the live-action series, I can say that it was pleasant to watch, but by the end of it, something felt missing. I had this strong urge to re-watch the original animated series, which I have been doing, and I’ve figured out what that something is.
The live-action series tried to get to the action in every episode, and by doing that, you lose much of the character-building in the animated series. Yes, Aang has this massive weight on his shoulders, but he’s also a silly, 12-year-old kid who loves having fun. Katara’s strong will is shown, but she feels less caring, and Sokka, well, yes, he’s protective over his friends and family, but he’s a dunce through and through, and you don’t feel any of that in the live-action version.
Much of the story was also edited to fit side characters into single episodes, and while it looks smart on the outside to have done so, they’ve lost some of the essence of those characters and stories. In turn, losing out on the main storyline, which is Aang learning valuable lessons across each episode on his journey to becoming the Avatar.
You might be saying to yourself it’s because there are a lot more episodes in the animated series, and you aren’t wrong. However, 20 episodes at 25 minutes, on average, gives us about eight hours of show time, the same amount of show time you get from the eight live-action episodes on Netflix.
The Avatar will return!! Seasons 2 & 3 of AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER are coming! pic.twitter.com/NDxSDP7kZE
— Netflix (@netflix) March 6, 2024
No matter my thoughts, though, at least we’ll be able to watch this version to the very end, and knowing the epic scenes that Aang and the gaang have yet to encounter, I’m sure that it’ll be a spectacle.
What do you think about the live-action adaption of this childhood classic? Let us know in the comments below.