Avatar: The Last Airbender was an animated series that aired for three seasons back in 2005. The series was an immense success, till this date The Last Airbender has an IMDb score of 9.3/10 and 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The television series was previously attempted for a big screen adaptation by M. Night Shyamalan but we all know what happened with that venture. The movie was a colossal critical and financial failure. However, the source material is still full of potential which is why the biggest streaming platform in the world has attempted to adapt it, this time into a series though. So, is Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender worth the hype? Let’s hear what the critics have to say.
Avatar: The Last Airbender Reviews: Netflix Gets It Wrong Once Again!
Netflix recently held the official red carpet premiere for Avatar: The Last Airbender in Los Angeles, and afterward, critics shared their first thoughts and reviews on X (formerly Twitter) about what they’ve seen so far:
Mike Thomas (Collider) – “The first episode of Netflix’s ‘Avatar The Last Airbender’ is fantastic! From the opening scene, you realize that this is far better than the 2010 film. The fights are great, but the standouts are the actors. These kids FEEL like Team Avatar. A fun new take on a timeless classic.”
Joshua Yehl (IGN) – “The first episode of Netflix’s ‘Avatar The Last Airbender’ is pretty incredible. It’s more dramatic, mature, and violent than the original. The best part is what they add to flesh out and enrich the story we already know, like showing the Order 66 of the airbenders. A great start!”
Anthony (The Movie Podcast) – “‘Avatar The Last Airbender’ Ep 1 Dazzles with its GRAND SCALE & VIBRANT environments. Fans can rejoice in its faithful visual adaptation and stylistic action sequences. Yet, it slightly stumbles in cast performances, narrative, & philosophical depth. Excited for how S1 ends!”
David Opie (Critic) – “‘Avatar The Last Airbender’ eps 1 + 2 are pretty decent so far and I say that as an obsessive fan. There are definitely issues, but it’s better than the controversies would have you think. If you’re open to it, you’ll have fun, but if you’ve already made up your mind, you’ll hate it.”
Rama’s Screen – “Netflix AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER ep.1 was spectacular! This Live-Action version has done the old animated show — of which I was a fan — incredible justice. The cast were terrific, the visuals were remarkable and Gordon Cormier (Aang) is a revelation.”
@RenGeekness – “I can confidently say I fell in love with the world of ‘Avatar The Last Airbender’ all over again! The cast brings to life the characters & dynamics in all new ways forging its own path in this fantastic story with compelling characterizations, breathtaking world-building & action.”
Rafael Motamayor (IGN) – “I am finally allowed to say that the first episode of ‘Avatar The Last Airbender’ is a huge letdown. Sure, the bending looks great and generally the visuals are solid, but this is a mixed bag of an adaptation. Too much exposition, poor writing & horrible pacing. Dallas Liu rules, tho.”
Sean Boelman (Film critic) – “As someone who grew up watching the animated show, I thought episode 1 of ‘Avatar The Last Airbender’ was a solid start. It’s a lot of exposition, but Gordon Komier is great, and the visuals are quite good. *Certainly* much better than the last live-action version of this property.”
Kristen Maldonado (Journalist) – “‘Avatar The Last Airbender’ isn’t perfect, but there’s a spark of something special here filled with humor & heart. It’s amazing to see so many Indigenous & Asian faces on our screens. Dallas Liu is a star, Ian Ousley has the best lines & this is my fav Amber Midthunder performance.”
Caiden Reed (The Streamr) – “I really enjoyed the first episode of ‘Avatar The Last Airbender’. I’m getting a better understanding of why they made certain changes. I definitely can see how some may not like it as much. Some of the bending’s visuals are slightly off. I hope to enjoy the rest of [the show.”
@TwoLetterMo – “I can only give thoughts on Ep 1 of Netflix’s ‘Avatar The Last Airbender’ but… Yikes! The show is in a rush to get somewhere and feels completely isolating for new viewers, paying lip-service to beats from the animated show with very little care. You’ll know if this is for you and this is not for me.”
@LuminousDagger – “I’ve watched the first episode of ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’, and it’s off to a bad start. The life and colour that was once there is now non-existent in this live-action adaptation. Mischaracterization is present and VFX looks unfinished when not focused on the bending.”
Avatar: The Last Airbender episode one will be available for streaming on February 22nd, 2024.
If you have any questions regarding Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender live-action, feel free to ask in the comments below. For more content, stay tuned. As usual, like, subscribe, and share our articles as we here are trying to build a community of people High On Cinema!
Hey there! I just finished reading your review of Netflix’s adaptation of “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” and I must say, your insights are spot-on! It’s always a nerve-wracking experience for fans when a beloved series gets a reboot, and your review provided a comprehensive look at how well (or not) Netflix pulled it off.