The massive Netflix series Avatar is finally here: Is the fantasy remake worth it?

Avatar: The Lord of the Elements starts today February 22, 2024 There are huge expectations attached to Netflix and the fantasy series. After all, the streaming service is reissuing the revered US animated series Avatar here. And let’s not forget that the first attempt at a live-action theatrical remake was a disastrous failure. We were able to preview the 8 episodes and give you one spoiler-free assessment, whether or for whom the new Avatar series is worthwhile.

Avatar starts on Netflix: That’s what the fantasy remake is about

Like the animated original, Netflix’s Avatar throws us into a fantasy world based on the four elements Fire, water, earth and air is built. The associated ones four nations Each has its own continent and its own “tamers”, i.e. people who can magically control their element. Only one person, the Avatar, controls all the elements and thus keeps the world in balance. However, when the Fire Nation attacks the others and the Avatar disappears, this balance shifts to a reign of terror.

One hundred years later, the Water Tribe siblings Katara (Kiawentiio) and Sokka (Ian Ousley) find it young avatar Aang (Gordon Cormier). He is the last surviving airbender and must now learn to bend the remaining three elements to his will. But into that responsible Task of the world savior Growing into it is not that easy when enemies lurk around every corner. In particular, the Fire Lord’s rejected son, Prince Zuko (Dallas Liu), begins the hunt for him.

The crucial question about the Avatar launch is whether showrunner Albert Kim (Sleepy Hollow) will manage to bring the epic narrative of the original into an appealing form for Netflix. The short answer is: to a large extent, yes.

Is Netflix’s Avatar: Lord of the Elements compelling fantasy?

Before we go into details for fans of the original, the Avatar remake must first prove whether it works as an independent fantasy series.

Unfortunately, the Lord of the Elements doesn’t get there common fantasy diseases over: too clean costumes and not always convincing effects. In Netflix’s recent animated remake One Piece, we could easily accept the extremely colorful wardrobe as a style choice. The cartoon template can also be viewed in Avatar. But this fantasy series would have benefited from fewer bright blue coats and bright white fur collars in favor of more realism. With Aang’s orange monk’s habit, for example, it’s hard to understand why it’s pristine even after the dustiest fight. (Of course, the simplest explanation would be that he’s an airbender and always has his own hairdryer with him.)

While some CGI moments, like the spiritual avatar state with glowing eyes, don’t seem round enough, other computer effects completely impress: This beautiful taming of the elements For example, it flows smoothly into the recognizable martial arts skills of the performers. That would even make my colleagues from Cobra Kai jealous.

On this basis it falls easy to immerse yourself in the magic and action of the fantasy adventure. The only thing that surprisingly gets lost in the running time of the 8 episodes is the Avatar’s actual mission, namely to learn the elements – in season 1, waterbending.

The still unknown young stars usually embody their roles believably, even if Kiawentiio’s Katara, in contrast to her expressive brother Sokka, is still allowed to work on her facial expressions. The older supporting actors provide the necessary acting gravitas: Daniel Dae Kim as the frightening fire ruler Ozai, Ken Leung as the unscrupulous commander Zhao with ambitions for advancement and Paul Sun-Hyung Lee as the kind-hearted Uncle Iroh, who brings some warmth into the cold fire of his family. In interaction they create Characters that gradually gain definition. And anyone who can suppress an “Awwww” at the sight of the air bison Appa or the flying lemur Momo clearly has a heart of stone that not even an earthbender could break.

Fan or newcomer: For whom the Avatar remake is worthwhile

It is obvious that the Avatar series is primarily intended to attract new fans. The fantasy series initially introduces everything in a very orderly and clear manner, but those who have been in the know for a long time will sometimes notice it with detailed explanations that the animated series never needed in this form.

Fans should therefore expect a somewhat slower thawing (almost like Aang’s from ice sleep). It may well take until episode 4 to fully warm up to the new interpretation. But when the relationship between Zuko and Uncle Iroh finally shows its more powerful facets in flashbacks, the heart still says ‘yes’.

The fact that the first animated Avatar season has 20 episodes and Netflix’s Avatar only has 8 episodes logically means that many adventure detours are omitted. The remake series solves that clever through a condensed narrative, in which well-known character stories are placed in other story arcs and settings. Charming Easter eggs do the rest.

For example, long-time Avatar fans can enjoy a statue of Flopsi, even if we never get to see the Earth King’s pet goat gorilla. This has the advantage that you can… Love for the template feels, but conversely also ensures that the longing for the elements that are only touched on the surface never completely disappears. Fortunately, previously criticized changes such as Sokka’s deleted sexism are less significant in the overall picture.

Since the original Avatar series was officially a “kids series” on Nickelodeon, so is the remake familyfriendly held. Surprising outbursts of violence like those in Netflix’s fantasy series Shadow and Bone are eliminated, Zuko’s iconic burn scar is not particularly frightening and you won’t find romantic impulses in the new Aang. However, that doesn’t mean that the series doesn’t deviate from time to time Goosebumps border dares (keyword: face robber Koh).

In the end, Netlix’s Avatar remake doesn’t come close to the genius of the animated series. Nevertheless, the live-action series is worlds better than M. Night Shyamalan’s The Legend of Aang. Ultimately, Albert Kim and his team deliver one likeable series away. Maybe not a story that you would put your hand in the fire for, but one that you would like to be friends with – and that you would treat to a second season. And that’s probably not the worst thing that can happen when adapting such a beloved original material.

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