Netflix has released, through its YouTube channel, the official trailer of the highly anticipated live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender. All eight episodes of the first season, each lasting one hour, will premiere on Netflix on February 22. Presenting itself as a reinterpretation of the beloved 2005 animated series of the same name, the show follows the adventures of the young Avatar Aang as he learns to master the four elements (Water, Earth, Fire, Air).
Set in a world where the Fire Nation has subjugated much of the globe, threatening the balance, only the Avatar remains the last hope to restore peace among the four nations. Alongside his friends Sokka and Katara, Aang embarks on a quest, filled with moments of liveliness and play, to fully understand his purpose.
The disaster behind the first adaptation
The decision of the streaming service to bring Avatar: The Last Airbender into live-action format was initially met with some skepticism, especially considering the disastrous outcome of the first attempt at a cinematic adaptation. The 2010 film "The Last Airbender" was criticized for having a nonsensical plot and various issues related to whitewashing. The series was supposed to draw inspiration from Asian cultures, giving characters well-defined ethnic traits, which were obviously not respected.
Unfortunately, the previous director lacked much experience with fantasy based on extensive use of CGI, resulting in a sense of incompleteness, if not outright comicality, in the bending scenes. Fortunately, from the trailer, the Netflix series seems to excel in mastering bending techniques, also revealing the first glimpses of characters that were previously only seen in 2D.
Another piece of good news for long-time fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender is that Netflix has sought a more faithful recreation of the animated series. Personally, taking creative liberties in live-action adaptations is more than acceptable, if not necessary (given the difficulty of condensing extensive material), but it should never become the rule.
An anachronistic character?
In addition to the three previously introduced characters, the series will also follow well-known and beloved figures such as Zuko (the Fire Nation prince tasked with capturing Aang) and his uncle Iroh; King Bumi; Ozai (Zuko's father and the Fire Lord) and the seductive hunter June. However, one person in particular attracts attention for her anachronistic presence: the sarcastic and controversial Princess Azula, who in the original series appeared as a cruel antagonist in the second season.
According to showrunner Albert Kim's comments, the Netflix series aims to finally address one of the biggest issues related to Azula, indicating a different narrative arc from what was shown in the animated series. Personally, it's an excellent decision to give Azula a more significant role from the beginning, as she is a far superior villain compared to Admiral Zhao from the first season.
Building Azula as a villain from the start immediately heightens the danger for Aang and his friends, advancing the plot. And let's face it, Azula's prodigious firebending abilities allow the live-action show to fully flex its CGI.
Having analyzed all the available content, I must say I am satisfied with the first glimpses. Despite being a "latecomer" fan to the Avatar world, I look forward to seeing what Netflix has in store for us.
