Avatar: The Last Airbender 'Fails in Every Way.' Rotten Tomatoes Reviews Prove That Netflix's Series is Far From Perfect
The live-action series Avatar: The Last Airbender hasn't especially caught on with critics, and viewers aren't thrilled with it either. Here's what we learn about Netflix's live-action show from reviews.
The live-action adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender was eagerly awaited. Finally, the series focused on the element-controlling bender has a large group of loyal fans. Those, unfortunately, may be somewhat disappointed. While the production isn't bad, it has several flaws that critics mention in their reviews.
The series, consisting of eight episodes (the whole season) that premiered on Netflix on February 22, didn't receive outstanding reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, the show was rated positively by only 59% of critics and 75% of viewers. In comparison, it's worth noting that the animated series from 2005 has received one hundred percent and ninety-eight percent approval. You must admit that the difference is significant. So it seems that the new series didn't meet the hopes placed in it.
The level of dialogue fails to satisfy the critics, despite their praise for the cast, particularly Gordon Cormier in the title role. However, they positively evaluate the visual aspect and the creators' approach to the relationships between the characters. Here are excerpts from reviews, in which both positive voices and more negative ones appear.
Netflix's live-action remake is a major letdown [...] Rather than breathe fresh life into a familiar world, this Avatar serves only to remind that some beloved properties might be better left on ice -- The Hollywood Reporter.
An uneven live-action adaptation with occasionally moving moments. [...] but trying to please fans and newcomers alike, Avatar: The Last Airbender makes for a middling, often baffling adaptation. Bringing forward bits and pieces from later animated seasons in some cases to flesh out relationships in Netflix's adaptation. Complete with unexpected musical stings, actually really works. I'm glad the live-action adaptation exists in the first place. I only wish the rest of the show made me feel the same way -- Total Film.
The new Avatar fails in every way. And it's infuriating -- USA Today.
The live-action adaptation series enriches the original story with meaningful new material, but its breakneck pacing, exposition-heavy dialogue, and hit-or-miss effects aren't precisely in balance -- IGN Movies.
Avatar: The Last Airbender doesn't soar as high as its source material, but is still a rock-solid adaptation. [...] despite its imperfections, it still manages to make good on the sturdy bones of this tale -- Paste Magazine.
Some canny casting choices can't rescue the show from uninspiring craft and tonal confusion -- Empire.
If it earns the audience's patience, that's due in no small part to Gordon Cormier's convincing embodiment of Aang, the eponymous 12-year-old boy burdened with guarding the world's elemental balance -- Salon.com.
[...] too-elemental dialogue and uneven performances make this eight-episode sit a bit of a grind for anyone who has gotten past puberty -- CNN.
If you want to see for yourself whether Avatar: The Last Airbender is a good series, check out Netflix.
