First reactions to Netflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbender call it a “fun new take on a timeless classic”
Aang and his crew arrive to positive audience reactions
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The first reactions toNetflix’s Avatar: The Last Airbenderare in, and they’re pretty positive.
Adapted from the beloved animated Nickelodeon show of the same name, the eight-episode-long series follows the last surviving Airbender, a young boy named Aang, who must learn to master the four elements – water, earth, fire, and air – to restore balance to a world threatened by the terrifying Fire Nation. Alongside his newfound friends, Aang sets out on a journey to restore peace to the world and take his rightful place as the next Avatar.
Screening at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood on February 15, audiences got a sneak peek at Netflix’s newest fantasy series and the overall response is proving to be quite positive.
“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,” says Collider’sMike Thomas.
IGN’sJoshua Yehlagrees: “The first episode is pretty incredible. It’s more dramatic, mature, and violent than the original. A great start!”
The Movie Podcast’sAnthony Gagliardisays the first episode faced some minor hiccups, but not enough to stop his enjoyment. He tweeted: “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!”
However, it looks like not everyone is a fan as IGN’sRafael Motamayorsays the Netflix adaptation did not meet expectations. “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.”
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But despite the first episode’s flaws, viewers remain hopeful for the rest of the series as viewerRyden Scarnatopoints out: “Some of the acting was a little stiff and I wish it was more cinematic, but it’s a solid start!”
The Netflix original, created by Albert Kim, stars Gordon Cormier, Dallas James Liu, Kiawentiio Tarbell, Ian Ousley, Arden Cho, and Paul Sun-Hyung Lee.
Avatar: The Last Airbender arrives on February 22, on Netflix. For more, check out our list of thebest Netflix showsavailable to stream right now, or keep up to date withupcoming TV shows.
I am an Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, covering TV and film for SFX and Total Film online. I have a Bachelors Degree in Media Production and Journalism and a Masters in Fashion Journalism from UAL. In the past I have written for local UK and US newspaper outlets such as the Portland Tribune and York Mix and worked in communications, before focusing on film and entertainment writing. I am a HUGE horror fan and in 2022 I created my very own single issue feminist horror magazine.
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