Avatar: The Last Airbender – 7 Mistakes The Netflix Remake MUST Avoid
We don’t want a repeat of Shyamalan’s 2010 disaster.
This past month marked the fifteenth anniversary of Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Over the years, the animated series has received much critical acclaim, maintaining a loyal fan following since its debut. The show contains a rich narrative about a young boy named Aang, who must embrace his destiny as the Avatar, and bring balance to a war-torn world.
Avatar features a lovable cast of supporting characters, a compelling narrative, exhilarating action sequences, a beautiful soundtrack, and many other elements which all came together to create one of the finest works of animation in modern times.
When Netflix announced that they were planning to produce a live-action remake, the news was met with a mixed reaction from fans. While some welcomed an opportunity to witness their beloved favourite on screen once more, others remained skeptical - and for good reason. The only other mainstream adaptation of the series was M. Night Shyamalan’s abysmal 2010 film, which not only failed on virtually every cinematic level, but also left a sour taste in the mouthes of fans who loved the show.
While the original show’s creators, Brian Konietzko and Michael Dante DiMartino, are set to helm this latest project, there are some things they might wish to keep in mind to ensure a quality remake of Book One: Water...
7. If It Ain't Broke... Don't Fix It
This one may seem pretty simple, but it nonetheless needs to be stated. Avatar got a whole lot right on its debut season, and so keeping those excellent character arcs and storylines intact is a must. While a simple shot-for-shot remake isn’t ideal, there are some aspects that would be best transposed directly from the original show.
One such thing which comes to mind is the Episode 12, “The Storm”. Considered one of the finest outings the series had to offer, this episode delved into the respective backstories of the protagonist (Aang) and antagonist (Prince Zuko), intersecting the two in a gripping way.
Sadly, in his own film, Shyamalan failed to capture the poignancy of these characters’ pasts, opting to deliver it in ham-fisted exposition.
Other episodes that should remain unchanged in live-action include “The Blue Spirit” and “Siege of the North Parts I and 2”. In general, the relationship between Aang and Zuko should feel just as compelling as in the old series, as should the dynamic of Team Avatar – Aang, Katara, Sokka, Appa, and Momo.
Perhaps most importantly, the sage advice and wholesome nature Uncle Iroh needs to be preserved. Nothing could be worse than abandoning the greatest parts of the first season.