If there’s one show we’re looking forward to in 2024, it’s Avatar: The Last Airbender. Based on the much-beloved cartoon of the same name, it takes the audience into a world that is divided into nations with the Fire Nation in power. All of that changes when an airbender named Aang reappears after the annihilation of his people. And with so much love for this world, a lot of people have been nervous as to whether the show will be good or not. It’s also due to that movie that shall not be named absolutely botching the story and mispronouncing Aang’s name. But we’re going to forget about that movie and talk about what makes Netflix’s version different and what we observed from the official trailer that just dropped.
The biggest difference between the movie that shall not be named and the Netflix version, at least from what we can tell from the trailer, is that it remembers that these are kids. The movie version completely changed who they were inside, how they looked, and ignored that they were children fighting a war they never should have had to. And you could tell in small moments in this trailer that Netflix and the creative team behind Avatar: The Last Airbender understand that. Avatar: The Last Airbender isn’t about war at its heart. It’s about found family during times of war. It’s about choosing who you want to be despite how you were raised. And it’s about believing in yourself and those around you to make the world a better place. And I feel like the official trailer understands that.
Another reason why I love the official trailer is because the costume design is stunning. From the Fire Nation’s armor to the ships and the Blue Spirit’s mask, it feels like it was made with love. That love was not felt in the original film at all. It was like someone writing their own fanfiction without having watched the whole series. The Netflix version feels like it was made by someone who has watched the series. Even though I am a little concerned about the pace and some of the things we saw in the official trailer when it comes to plot development, I’m excited. I’m also concerned about the fact that we didn’t see Toph in the official trailer. But I’m crossing my fingers and hoping that we get to see her. Because she’s the best of the best of the Gaang.
Even the cast video of them breaking down the trailer has sold me on this show. And I’m trying to hold back and not come into this with such high expectations. But I really love what I see when I look at them. I love to see the connection and how they’ve become this little family. Because connections like that bleed over into the acting and make for a more realistic and loving portrayal. And that’s what fans want. They want love in Avatar: The Last Airbender. Not romantic right now. (Well, some do. But spoilers.) But love as found family and even the love held between two siblings like Katara and Sokka who basically only have each other in this big crazy world.
Whatever may come, we’re excited for Avatar: The Last Airbender and the beauty of the world being created via this live action.
Watch the official trailer below:
Watch the cast breakdown the trailer below:
Avatar: The Last Airbender lands on Netflix on February 22, 2024.
