Nothing wrong in trying to take a darker approach, but what was the need to take Katara's angry personality (even though she's a teen having to deal with the mother role) and removing Aang's conscious decision in running away ? Those ARE things you expect in seeing from kids dealing with issues beyond their control. Plus, having Aang consciously running away would have gone more in line with Bumi's darker mindset in the show. Some elements from the OG would have worked just as fine in the live action too. Maybe would have been more developed here like they couldn't in the OG.
One of my favorite changes NATLA made was to present Zuko's crew as the 41st division (i think) that he tried to save during the war meeting. And the scene after they found that out and he returned, ..BEAUTIFUL! It all made sense and the acting there was great, i genuinely started crying during that whole scene! It's gems like this that make me wish they'll make a season 2!
@@tracim3080 Yeah but I actually prefer that change. The Zuko fighting 'for his honour' plotline got old after a while for me. It feels very old Chinese cinema cliche, white man's version of Asian perspectives type of thing. We can justify anything because it's for their honour. That's okay for kids but as an adult I really would like to see how they're going to expand that into the complexities of what he's actually feeling as a character. Yes, he does want to return to his throne and reclaim his honour as the crown prince, but is it more important than these men's lives, is it more important than turning his back on the world that he's seeing is being so hurt by the fire nation. I want to see him deal with the real questions and see the real issues that hot-headed, animated Zuko just never considered until he risked losing the love of his Uncle over it. I'm curious to see what they come up with to get him to betray his uncle's values and go back to his father, if they're not taking his constant pursuit of 'honour' into consideration. That would be fun. I'm not mad at it.
Ngl one of my favourite "cartoon to live action" things was how expressive the Zuko actor was. (I forget his name right now) His sarcastic and exasperated half eye roll is perfect :D
"It's a remix, not a cover." That's such a perfect metaphor. I honestly really enjoyed the Netflix show and the changes. The animated one still has my whole heart, but both can coexist.
Yeah, but the problem is it's not even a good remix. The new Dune movies made a bunch of changes, but you won't see people complaining about it because the changes were in service of the story, the characters and the world building, etc. The Netflix Live Action features the great plot point spectacles, but no proper set up, character and world building (except Zuko and Iroh stuff). That's like a remix having the chorus/hook of the original but no proper lead up to the bass drop. Everything but the chorus is a mess. Drew Gooden said it concisely, the show chose spectacle over storytelling.
Thank you for this video. The simple “it was a remix, not a cover” helped me understand the changes so much. ATLA is by far my favourite show of all time, so it hurt seeing some of the characters be so different… But you’re right - why have two of the exact same cake in my fridge? If I want the original, I can always go back to it. Funnily enough, NATLA made me realize what it was that made ATLA so special to me, why I’ve rewatched it a dozen times even though I rarely rewatch a show. It’s brought be back to the fandom, allowed me to have deep conversations with the people I know who also loved the original… It’s been beautiful to rediscover ATLA, and honestly, it’s only because of NATLA.
Nothing wrong in trying to take a darker approach, but what was the need to take Katara's angry personality (even though she's a teen having to deal with the mother role) and removing Aang's conscious decision in running away ? Those ARE things you expect in seeing from kids dealing with issues beyond their control. Plus, having Aang consciously running away would have gone more in line with Bumi's darker mindset in the show. Some elements from the OG would have worked just as fine in the live action too. Maybe would have been more developed here like they couldn't in the OG.
Interestingly I’ve come back to the fandom as a result of Netflix's adaptation. I’ve started reading novels that I'd never heard of. I’m reading fan fiction that I could never have bothered with in the past, and I’m rewatching the OG series again…. I wouldn’t have done this without the Netflix series. It reminded me why it was so much fun to begin with.
Ah, yes. The remix of turning Katara into a cardboard hollow rendition of a really cool, interesting, and complex original character. Very cool! Wish they’d put this “remix” back into their iTunes garage band.
It's better than the movie, but it's not hard to be better than something that doesn't exist and never did exist. There is no war in Ba Sing Se, and there was no ATLA movie.
Also, nothing wrong in trying to take a darker approach, but what was the need to take Katara's angry personality (even though she's a teen having to deal with the mother role) and removing Aang's conscious decision in running away ? Those ARE things you expect in seeing from kids dealing with issues beyond their control. Plus, having Aang consciously running away would have gone more in line with Bumi's darker mindset in the show. Some elements from the OG would have worked just as fine in the live action too. Maybe would have been more developed here like they couldn't in the OG.
Hang on, there was an ATLA movie? When? I do have a large gap in my memory around 2010, likely from excessive alcohol intake to erase something from my brain, but...nah, that can't be a ATLA movie. I love Avatar. I really should check this film out...
Your breakdown is the one I've been looking for! It's exactly what I've been trying to tell everyone around me about it! I have some friends who are hardcore animated series fans, so much so that the negative reviews have scared them off from watching the live action series at all. I think I'll be sending them this review to watch before they decide to shun the live action series completely. The live action is worth a watch, but you need to go into it with the mindset that its a remix, not a cover!
It’s an important way to view all adaptations. It’s the reason I’m often quite relaxed towards changes (not always, stuff does still bother me, but I can take a step back and think, it’s a remix, and then move on). Not gonna lie, there was a bunch of stuff that did bother me throughout. Bumi is the big one. I still cannot say I love what they did there, but like the video says, I can see the reasons why it was done, and I can see the narrative merit that was served by him acting like that.
I agree, like I know there was a better way to get the importance of Aang’s emotional state in the first episode across better than having him deliver straight exposition to appa 😂
Yeah this is my issue. I don't care if the show isn't a shot for shot remake of the original and makes changes with the plot (as long as the major beats are still hit) or slight character arc tweaks; it helps that I only saw the original once literally eons ago, so I don't have a great memory of all the details of the plot and episodes like a diehard fan would. The real problem for me is that the writing of the dialogue is so bad, and some of the characters lack so much personality, mainly Katara but also Sokka and Aang to a degree as well. Subtlety is out the window and they have to explain all their emotions and the themes, instead of just letting the show speak for itself, as many have said. The serious tone they're trying to go for (combined with the bad dialogue writing) drags down the main trio, meanwhile Zuko and Iroh are actually done incredible justice, as is all the fire nation tweaks and additions in general. Zuko really feels like he walked right out of the animated show, his actor understands (and also more accurately, was allowed to portray) exactly what makes Zuko Zuko; Iroh and Zhao on the other hand are arguably VERY different from how they are originally personality-wise, and yet at the same time they feel just right, the spirit of their characters is still there. I felt the most emotions with everything to do with the fire nation crew, and I don't attribute that entirely to being super faithful; the writing and acting was just.... better with them. An adaptation doesn't need to be completely faithful plot-wise in order to be good; the heart and soul of the original media just needs to be there. Usually most of them nowadays put too much emphasis on the former (to combat so many complaints in the past of movies of books making too many changes), but they fall flat still because they're trying to just hit bullet points of events fans want to see, and none of the soul is there. Or you have an adaptation that fails at both to a degree, like netflix atla, so it just ends up being kind of mediocre. I haven't seen netflix One Piece yet but this idea is why I think so many people ended up loving that, because although it seemingly made a lot of changes, the original creator was involved and the heart and soul of the original shines through, without it needing to be super faithful.
Same i feel like they did well but in my opinion they lacked in properly showing aang accepting monk gyatso's death and if they are still going to make aang and katara get together later on they need to show that they don't have this brother sister relationship. Also I don't know if I'm wrong but why didn't they show aang learning water bending, it feels like they didn't even attempt and yea I guess its implied since we already know he's supposed to be learning but it's still too vital to the story for it to just be assumed. Lastly, they didn't really show the big 3's personality even though it fits the setting and circumstances. The reason why atla was so enjoyable was bc yea they are dealing with war and constantly being attacked but they are also just kids at the end of the day who just want to know what life is like when they're not at war( also the wigs were just too bad I cant get over that). But besides that the live action was enjoyable more people need the remix not a cover mentality when it comes to remakes or adaptations. 😊
Yeah I totally agree! I really liked the Percy Jackson show because I knew going in that it WAS going to be different, it WAS going to be a "remix" of sorts, and that knowledge allowed me to sit back and enjoy it for what it was.
@@user-cm8di3eb2t...Well, in the books, he indeed isn't the academics type, so I guess the trope being thrown upon him in the show fits. But is he really dumb though ? From personal experience, I know how hard it can be to improvise and work with something in the moment out of the blue.
@@JabamiLain I was talking about Annabeth's whole thing with people not thinking she's smart because she's blonde. So yeah, I guess it's sort of the same thing with Percy? Nvm, he'll always be seaweed brain lol even though he's kinda smart in his own way
@@user-cm8di3eb2tit does fit him, certainly. Most protagonists of the same trope (not the blond one, the easy going trope) are usually not seen as smart. But they are VERY capable. More than they, themselves, believe.
I enjoyed it despite some clunky dialogue and some changes I didn't agree with. I liked a few minor story changes they made and it had great visuals, which is what I was mainly looking for from a live action ATLA
I personally ADORED the live action remake. Seeing all of the places and characters from the original put into real life with so much color and magic was such a great experience, not to mention the amazing cast.
yeahh! this was a good way to explain it. I enjoyed the live action, but I remember wishing if there could be a pause from all the action/drama going on.
What happened is they fell into the classic trap of remakes: they couldn't justify why it exists and they tried too hard BEFOREHAND to justify the changes. Film and TV are very visual mediums. Instead of doing the talking for your show, just shut up and let us figure out for ourselves if the changes work or not. And there were SOME changes that did work. But too much of it just lost the entire point of the original series. Having Aang just be a victim of circumstance COMPLETELY undermines the entire point of the story. (That, along with having him be just so accepting of his role.) That he's a child soldier who had to grow up too fast because the world needed him. Aang was an Avatar who needed to learn how to BE the Avatar. Korra was an Avatar who needed to learn how to be HUMAN.
Thank you so for doing such a great sum up of what makes the Netflix Avatar an enjoyable watch. It gets very tiring to keep hearing all things it does wrong. Not everything is perfect, but you can tell a lot of love and dedication was put into it.
I love the casting for Azula. She looks like a normal cute teenager from a distance but when the show closes up to her the actress straight up is able to morph into a mean girl which is just so Azula
Fr! So many people want her to be a straight up villain like how she is in season 2 but for some reason they seem to forget she’s a person- she’s gonna have relatable qualities while also being a terrible person and not just be a straight up mustache-twirling villain. I really liked that they added a prequel story to her character, her and Zuko while obviously gravitating towards different parents, are still in the same environment with a father who cares more about power and control over his own kids wellbeing. We see how Ozai manipulated Zuko into believing he would come back and Zhao straight telling him he was being played was cold, then we see him use Zuko as a way to bring down azula and is just using him to drive herself insane. And Mai tells her the same thing!! Idk, it’s just weird seeing people get mad that azulas is showing she doubts herself when I think that makes her character stronger.
Ty! I was skeptical before watching because of her looking too cute and innocent, but then I watched it and she did so good! She looks so evil and menacing, especially with her hair down!🔥🔥🔥 And she does look 14!
I loved it. Was it perfect? No. Were there things I would change? Yes. But soooo many of the changes were wonderful, like Yue and Sokka’s relationship, Han being a decent guy, Bumi having actual emotions about his country being invaded, Zuko’s crew being the legion he saved…. I really did love it.
I respect your take on it, and massively appreciate the statement by the director that graciously accepts criticism. I've only seen the first few episodes, however, I do think the general storytelling isn't that effective and I don't think all the actors are directed to best show their personalities. There's a lot of exposition dumping, and changes that don't have the narrative effect that they should if the writers are genuinely going for a different tone. It makes it hard for me to enjoy, but it is generally very pretty with high production value. It did have people who worked hard on it, so I'm glad there are people who like it.
What made me dislike it so much were odd character changes like Bumi being a bitter old man and Sokka not going through the entire arc with Suki as well as the lifeless acting by some of the main leads. The technical stuff was on point.
@@intergalactic92I’m also rewatching and that is false. It’s the out the entire first season… maybe you should pay more attention. Dokkan makes sexist remarks and comments for a while, people seem to think he stopped after meeting and getting beat up easily by suki, those people just prove they don’t know much about the show. 🤦♂️ Everyone says it isn’t a big deal they took it out of the show… then why is almost everyone upset by it? Why are the people who loves Ayla the most hating on this? I swear, some people are so delusional
The "despite getting so much wrong" should be directed to the (2010) movie. The NATLA series has some adjustments but they all worked together to be appealing to new fans. The animated will be the best bec obviously it's the OG but the ATLA fans have become so toxic to the point of being nonsense already. It's like it has become a trend to hate rather than appreciate. Imagine being in a room of people who never saw any atla show prior this, it's just pure joy or in a room of non toxic fans watching it then it will still be a fun ride for them. However a room of toxic and feeling perfect people watching it are just pure evil and just want to complain about everything in life. I am just so proud of these actors and staff bec in the end they all worked hard for this and it has been successful
This is exactly the perspective that is needed. Expecting a cover is not healthy and inevitably leads to disappointment. I’ve been using the phrase, it’s not a photocopy, but maybe this remix vs cover phrase is better. And you are so right about the changes being done for reasons. Bumi is very debatable as to whether that’s a good reason, but Suki and Yue definitely are improved by the changes. I was never a fan of Yue in the original (at all) but I actually cared about her in Netflix.
I liked the Netflix version (not as much as the original, but still enjoyed it). I actually think the Zuko/Iron relationship in this first season is better than season 1 of the cartoon because we got more. And it's possible that raised everything from the live action up more than it might have been without it
Full respect and appreciation to this video. I've found that, as I get older, I have more of an appreciation for the art that goes into adaptations as a separate medium, and i have more fun with them than I did as a kid. I've found a better appreciation now that I can always (and do) go back to the original content, so I appreciate new twists more!
Your videos are so full of positivity, it fills my heart ❤ This is how constructive criticism is done. And may be I loved this video more because you reflected my thoughts about the Netflix ATLA so correctly. And finally, hats off to Albert Kim. His message to the fans was one of the wisest replies to such criticisms that I've ever seen. This was our CALMING TEA and as a dedicated fandom - WE NEEDED THE CALMING TEA. WE DRANK IT, AND IT WAS GREAT🤭
Been waiting for this video and it was worth the wait! 100% agree with everything you said Mikaila. I thought the show was great but definitely not perfect and I'm looking forward to seasons 2 and 3. The show works as a remix and I felt most of the changes were justified, so I just hope that the new showrunner keeps this mentality and doesn't decide to try and do a 1:1 remake for the sake of appeasing fans.
Appreciated hearing your thoughts! I agree that the show shouldn’t be a shot for shot because then…what’s the point? There were some changes I liked; I thought weaving Jet and the Mechanist in Omashu was great. I liked Boumie’s character change. Zuko’s crew being the division he saved was brilliant, and made such a tight story as to why Zuko is so angry, always being surrounded by the reminder of why he was banished, but also being surrounded by who he protected…people who come to realize they owe him his life. I think there was no better way to give Zuko a loyal crew, and I am all here for it. But there were still things that didn’t make sense, or felt underdeveloped. Boumie and Aang’s time together just felt like filler until Sokka and Katara showed up; I think they could’ve completely done away with the “games”. Katara and Sokka entering the spirit world was because…Katara has always “felt” spiritual? And Katara’s arc in general felt very underdeveloped. Or changes they made without creating an at least equally convincing or compelling substitute. Kyoshi giving a vision of the future, instead of Roku letting Aang know he needs to learn the elements asap because there’s a comet coming that could end the war, which pushes the group north fast so he can learn water bending…I’m sorry, but one is more convincing and compelling, as it drives the overall plot AND Aang’s personal development more than the other (and they brought up the comet at the very end, so they’re definitely planning to include it). I dunno. Parts of the remix I think worked, things were added, removed and mixed well; and parts of it just sounded off to me.
Katara’s arc deserved way more time and attention! 👏🏼 I thought they started off pretty strong with an interesting focus on her trauma of being the last waterbender in her tribe and how that allowed her and aang to bond over the cultural burden they both shared, but as the episodes went on it felt like her story just got left behind 🥲 I’m really hoping season 2 gives her the attention she deserves, there’s a new showrunner next season so it’ll be interesting to see where they take these stories!
I completely understand them pumping the brakes on the comet though. It took three years, maybe more when you look at production times to bring out all threes seasons of ATLA. But this is fine with an animation because all you have to do is keep drawing the characters the exact same way to show that they haven't aged. But when you're dealing with human beings who age and grow and look different year after year, you can't have Aang acting like twelve for three-five years between three seasons, give or take a year, when he's obviously looking older. It would not work. They HAD to adjust the timeline of the plot to better fit the actors natural aging and how they'll be growing through the seasons. That was a change I actually expected and I wouldn't be surprised if Aang actually defeats the fire lord in this version of the story when he's more like 15. Like they might jump some time to make up for his aging between this season and the next.
I think you did a really good job being as fair as possible to the show by highlighting that it was never meant to be a cover. I think the actors, costumes, music etc were all done well. I hope that in the next season we have better dialogue where it doesn't feel like it's back to back exposition. I also have watched a lot of interviews the cast, and they have such good dynamic and I hope they can do it here. For example, Netflix's Shadow & Bone was a remix of two book series. Where they brought the Six of Crows characters into the story S&B series & gave them a new heist, and the characters still felt like themselves. That show had other problems but that was the vibe I was hoping for from the new ATLA live action that felt like a miss for me. I was expecting the same characters and the same team dynamic, and I felt I didn't really get that. Still excited for the next season though.
This. Remixing it was less of a problem to me than the show just having poorly drawn out dialogue. Katara's character was underwhelming in NATLA. She didn't feel at all like the character that I expected. Instead of the fiery, determined Katara I was expecting, she felt like a watered-down version. I missed seeing her flaws, her struggles, her envy of Aang's natural talent. They stripped away her journey of hard work and growth, leaving us with just another talented bender who doesn't need a master. They erased that her storyline shows hard work can be greater than a natural talent, it left me feeling pretty disconnected to NATLA's Katara. I agree with you on the Six of Crow characters be remixed into Shadow & Bone, they felt like the same team & same dynamic even if the setting was different. NATLA trio barely spent time together. There were too many competing storylines each episode that just didn't need to be brought in and could have waited until later seasons. I don't know why all the adults are so busy guilt-tripping Aang in this when he didn't run away or avoid responsibility in this version like he did in the cartoon. There's no reason to reprimand this new Aang who is nothing but trying to be responsible at all times. So Bumi's character change doesn't make sense in the context of the story they are presenting. He's giving bitter old man vs Aang's friend who was happy to see him but had some wisdom to share after having lived 100 yrs. I didn't agree either that Kyoshi's vision is what made them go North rather than Roku just telling Aang about the comet - which they show at the end of the series anyway so they clearly plan on including it. Roku's gives Aang a time limit to learn and master all four elements, you know, be the Avatar. Kyoshi feels like she just gives him a side quest. Btw Azula's character arc is such a mess now that I'm not sure how they'll save it. She should have just been left for the next season when she'd actually have something to do in the story. So I don't fully agree that people not expecting a remix is why so many cartoon fans don't like it vs it wasn't a well written show when all the ingredients were there. I think the cartoon fans are frustrated because we knew the quality of the ingredients so we're not sure how we ended up with something that's lacking substance.
@@kittypowpow3872natla's katara was a more realistic take on katara, and i strongly believe theyre building an even better arc for katara! Arguably her guilt and trauma is even worse in natla, she saw her mom burnt to death in front of her. if bending acts as an extension of the bender, her meekness at the beginning matched up with her waterbending skills and as the series progressed you could see her becoming more confident. Towards the end she literally became the Katara we all know and love but yalls hate boner is too big to recognize that 😭
@@virgosgrooove hate boner is pretty dramatic for pointing out flaws in character development. I imagine a lot of fans wanted to like the new show, were excited for it, and were ok with a remix. I am still hopeful for future seasons doing a better job with writing and dialogue. We got Katara traumatized by her mom's death in the cartoon. It's brought up in numerous, more impactful, ways in some of the best episodes in later seasons. NATLA Katara had one conversation with Jet about it, pictured her mom happy, then was able to do the water whip. She then ignores that he helped her later in the same episode and said she did it all by herself. This is a shell of the amount of hard work cartoon Katara puts in because she's not a natural talent. She works hard and eventually becomes good enough to become Aang's teacher. Not having Aang water bend in this also took away the slight initial rivalry she felt towards him because he is a natural talent. For me, it felt like her storyline was rushed through without all of the powerful emotive moments she got in the cartoon. In the cartoon she's the heart of team avatar and it didn't feel like it in season 1 NATLA.
Exactly! Its not meant to replace! It can never replace! Why would anyone even want to replace something they love? It's like someone trying ro replace your favorite stuffed animal with a new one that is exactly the same, it doesn't work and you'll probably resent them trying. This is something familiar, but different and i appreciate it for that. Was it perfect? No, but it had so much i loved and I'll take it and look forward to the next seasons
I was willing to watch a remix. I thought there could be some things that they added to it or expanded on that would be more interesting. I got halfway through and turned off this weak tea to go watch the original. They replaced Sokka's arc? no they didn't. He was always insecure. He just used to cover for it by being overconfident and puffing out his chest. Which are signs of an insecure young man aping manhood because he doesn't quite know how to get there yet by himself. They also gave him less screen time, and took his actual cleverness away from him, instead trying to say he shouldn't be a warrior at all instead of valuing him for all his skills. They improved Katara's battle with Paku by not having it be a love story with Gran Gran? That COULD have improved things if they hadn't turned Katara into a Mary Sue. She went from someone who worked hard and struggled to someone who didn't need any help after all. Naturally gifted, just like Aang and Toph. So you know, if you're not naturally gifted at things, there's no point in just trying and working hard. If it's meant to be, it will just naturally happen to you. :( Bumi was meant to serve Aang's arc? You're overlooking the fact that Aang in the cartoon DID the things Bumi and others accuse him of, running away from his responsibilities. In the Netflix show, he basically just went for a walk to clear his head. So instead of abandoning people, he's a concientious and talented boy who has never strayed from his responsibilities and people just keep trying to guilt him for something totally beyond his control. So if it WERE the original Aang, the argument that Bumi was changed to support his arc would be reasonable. But because they obliterated Aang's arc so that now he's not guilty, it doesn't actually work. (Oh, poor Bumi. That was a travesty in other respects as well, but maybe I'll get to that part later). Suki ... um.. . no, she doesn't have an arc except to be a Sokka fangirl now. It's actually a more sexist story now that Sokka isn't sexist. Because now he doesn't humble himself and then train hard, winning Suki's attention and respect. He just has this cool girl throwing herself at him because he comes from somewhere different. She's also kind of creepy and weirdly touchy feelie and coming on to him in a way that's really uncomfortable. Though my discomfort may be emphasized by the fact that I've studied martial arts. So that whole scene of her in the new things "teaching " him I just seek as an excuse to grope him because that is NOT how you teach someone martial arts. The original cartoon? That was proper teaching. This is like the scenes in sports movies where the guy comes up behind the woman and holds the club/bat/whatever with her to show her how to swing. But worse because I think there's actually some legit purpose to it. This served no purpose other than to grope Sokka. In regards to the music, i do totally approve of seeing how pieces sound with traditional Asian instruments, bringing in Asian foods, and otherwise taking inspiration from real Asian and Indigenous cultures. And I don't usually see complaints about those aspects. Mos people say the show looks and sounds good. And in doing this with live action, it makes clear that the characters are all Asian/Indigenous, and I see a positive there in terms of representation. And credit to him, at least, for not hating people who dislike his show. Um... let's see. Back to the Bumi thing which is also the Paku thing. Other than Iroh, this show disconnects the characters and the generations. Instead of connecting people and families it shatters them. Katara doesn't need a master. Bumi is no longer Aang's friend with something to teach him in the wisdom of 100 years.. Sokka's father no longer respects him. And that is all very sad. In a world where people cut offr relatives when things get the least bit difficult, it's reinforcing the trend of breaking the generations rather than encouraging people to look to their elders and find ways to incorporate the old with the new. That's among it's many flaws. It has also given ALL of the characters a deep rooted anxiety, and sanded off any parts of them that might make them unlikeable and thus more real. (this is why they're so bland it hurts). Aang is no always responsible, Katara is never angry, Sokka is never overconfident. And Azula ... yes shes a villain, but she's already just shattered pieces of pottery on the floor. Defeating her will mean nothing because she's no threat. So yeah. Some changes I could have enjoyed if the characters had any personality. (Though the Bumi thing was never ever going to work for me. The loss of Bumi's wisdom is the worst part.) Mostly, this just leaves me feeling that they should have done Korra instead. It would be hard to make that worse than it already is, especially if you were sincerely trying to make it better.
This was a great breakdown! I also enjoyed the show especially when I decided (early on) to not compare it to the original. I feel like I enjoyed the show a lot *because* I had watched the original and like you said, that already gave me an emotional connection with the LA show's characters. I do believe it is a solid entertaining show and look forward to what they do with the rest of the series!
This video perfectly sums up the situation between anime and live action. The best thing of the live action is that it gave my friends and family a chance to watch Avatar and understand my passion about this universe. For that reason alone, I think the live action is a success
This is similar with the Percy Jackson show, while I also had problems with that show, it's also a remix just like Avatar, and I hope both shows gets an improvements in the next seasons
Love the video excellent points well made. I will say I like that they're showing Azula and the fire lord early I'd love more opportunities to dig into Azula's psyche, and let's all be honest the original fire lord while he is an amazing villain he's also a very basic one, he's all about power nothing else matters I reaaaallllyyyy love the scene where he's burning Zuko's face and is tearing up that is very interesting and I want to know what else they'll do with his character.
The idea that's 'it's a remix not a cover' is really interesting and I'm going to try and keep that in mind when I watch more adaptations now instead of sulking in my blanket burrito muttering 'that's not what they did in the original'. While I really disliked certain changes (Katara saying you need us in the battle has it's merits but...girl. YOU know how to fight but they've only EVER been taught how to heal. Throwing them into a life and death battle against the fire nation for their first ever combat training would realistically be less an empowering moment of girl hood and more likely a really good way to get all of your healers killed in one go...) I really loved the casting for the show and I think some of the tonal shifts were perfect for adapting a show made for kids that adults can enjoy to a show made more teens and adults that kids could also like.
@@drewfrazee4200 oh for sure. The sentiment is there and it ties into their sexism theme but then they should've had at least one scene where Katara walks in on them practicing fighting in secret or something to make it make sense in the narrative. Otherwise it's just taking a bunch of nurses and throwing them into combat and saying 'just pull the trigger you'll be fine' and expecting that to go well.
The cake metaphor was perfection. It really does help to put the changes and things I didn't quite like into perspective. I totally agree that if you're going to do something again there needs to be something new brought to the table, otherwise why bother doing it all. I had a few issues with some of the show (mainly the pacing and dialogue) but those are all things that can be addressed and ultimately, I liked way more about it that I disliked so that's a win. I'm really happy they are going to get to finish out the show.
With someone who only ever saw the movie lmao I really enjoyed this Netflix version. One day i will binge watch the anime. I think the Netflix version did a good job bring me in as a new viewer.
So great to hear your perspective as a viewer who hasn’t seen the animated show! It makes me super happy that the Netflix show is introducing the world of avatar to new people 🥹 (also honestly you probably got the best viewing experience possible, there was nowhere to go but up after the 2010 movie 😂)
I loved it for what it was, an imperfect but beautiful retelling of another beautiful and imperfect story I loved as a kid. My main issue with it is the fact some of it was filmed during the pandemic and writers' strike, like a lot of Gordon/Aang scenes, and you can feel the tonal shifts. But otherwise, 4/5 cabbages
I’m really loving these longer videos you’ve done recently. They’re very well done. It’s also nice to see someone who can talk about NATLA in such a positive but also more neutral way. People I see online (not the best medium I admit) are mostly one way or another, so I like the way you do it.
My biggest qualm is that the gaang was too separated so I didn’t feel as connected to their relationship. And I need katara to have some more energy, but I overall enjoyed the show
Your filler episode points are totally right and I think a one-for-one remake of the original would have been uninspired, uncanny and misguided at best (*coughLionKingcough*) and I was able to go into this show being open-minded and interested to see which themes, story and lore they would explore with greater depth. I was also excited to see how they would honour the asian inspirations from the show and I think they knocked it out of the park. The set pieces, world design, some of the acting, getting to see so much incredible & diverse asian talent on display were all true joys. My favourite performances went to Suki and Sokka (the Kyoshi warriors episode was by far my favourite and I actually teared up from the unexpected story they explored between Suki and her mom), and I personally really love what they did with Azula. You see her being carved into the brutal, competitive & sadistic person she is, and I think the actress played a more emotionally compelling & subtle character than in the cartoon. She's still a child, which is something I think we forget in the show, and I think it will be more clear that her character arc is one of tragedy, something you really only get to understand in the sequel comics. The scene at Iroh's son's funeral was incredibly moving. Iroh didn't say a single word, and it was acted to perfection. I felt the first episode had a lot of awkward, poorly written moments, and Princess Yue's sacrifice felt frustrating to watch & lacked the poetic beauty and power of the original (it might even be one of the only scenes the movie did better). Some of the writing was very clunky, other times it was great. Katara's water-bending prowess was so satisfying in the last few episodes, though it did feel a bit unearned, mainly because the show just didn't have time to explore water bending as a whole. Not sure why they didn't have Aang do any water bending. Did they have a reason? And team avatar, like you said, simply did not feel like a team by the end. I'm crossing my fingers they do right by my girl Toph in season 2. I think heads will roll if they don't.
I loved learning how much culture was put into the live action! I honestly though the costumes and sets were beautiful, they really brought the world to life. I also like that you pointed out the “wants” they added for the characters. I think those are great. I fully expected this show to be different, but I still felt like the writing of the dialogue and plot weren’t the best. And the acting wasn’t my fave. So I enjoyed it, but was still left a bit disappointed.
I'm fine with them taking a different take but even the pacing are off af.... Like tell me how many times they repeat the intro within the character on the scene??? "WE GET IT! FIRE NATIONS ATTACK AND THERES ONLY ONE LAST AIR BENDER! STOP TELLING ME ABOUT IT" its also not just that, a lot of thing got repeat like we, the viewer, are a bunch of 5yo that wouldn't be able to connect the plot at all.... Show us stop telling us! And maybe just maybe stop telling us more than once! Or at least twice!
They really needed more of the show don't tell principle. One of the worst scenes is when Aang is talking about how he likes to have fun but we NEVER see it!
@@drewfrazee4200 yeahh the fight scene, extra scene is cool and all but maybe spent more time on scene that the character telling us about rather than just an extra scene that probably isn't relevant for that plot yet ;-; that would make it show rather than tell.... I think that's why people don't connect with them much, unless you're a fans of the show already, we don't need a full episode of filler just to connect with them.... I think Dylan is in Trouble's video about this show is pretty spot on, he talks about the direction stuff, one of the examples would be how Aang flashbacks in the animation is only 5 minutes and we connect with him more there rather than in the live show because of the scene choice (what they showing) they make....
@@Mrs.ragnvindr31 Yes it felt like they didn't have the right emphasis in some scenes that could have been really impactful and connected us with the characters. But they did do so in some scenes like the Iroh and Suko at the funeral scene, barely any dialogue and its not a long scene but really impactful even for non ATLA fans.
@@drewfrazee4200 oh I agree I think if they made the fire nation the "protagonist" it would work tho, like they already develop the fire nation so much (and the character) and the title would still make sense cuz Zuko still will hunt Aang lol but we'll just get the pov from Zuko instead of Aang, anything Aang and the gang development would be like how Zuko and the rest of fire nation in the original animation were develop, if that make sense, a lot of happened in the background but the important scene we still see
The last episode was the epitome of unnecessary repetition: „The avatar is lost!“ „The avatar is lost!“ „The avatar is lost!“ „The avatar is lost!“ Followed by Aang of course not being lost since Katara can talk to him although he is 300ft away immersed in water. And „Stop dwelling on the past and instead focus on the future!“ „Isn’t it time to stop dwelling on the past and instead focus on the future?“ „Stop dwelling on the past and instead focus on the future!“ „We should stop dwelling on the past and instead focus on the future!“ „You should dwelling on the past and instead focus on the future!“
a measured discussion of the show? I thought I'd never see the day! Mikaila, this is such a good video that covers so much of how i feel about the show!
I LOVED this video! ❤ my friend introduced me to you and this video and i completely agree with you 👏 I came in wanting to love the live action series and I did, because my mindset was: “20 episode wittled down to 8 episodes, there are going to be changes but good changes.”
WOW, finally someone speaking STRAIGHT facts about this show! I agree with everything you said will for sure be adding you to the Avatar video I’ve been working on! It’s nice to see someone talking positively on the show, so many “die hard” fans of the OG shitting on it and it’s like… why? Sure there’s a lot of tell and not a lot of a show. But it had to be made in a way that was serviceable to the average Joe AND fan.
Thank you so much for that cake metaphor, now I have a reason to go eat cake!!! (and also a really good way to explain to my friends why the live action show isn't bad because its different, that too)
Great video on the cover vs remix issue. I've been a fan of the cartoon for a long time now, but I was still able to enjoy the live action on its own terms. Yes, it's not perfect, but it does a lot of interesting things with the material it was given. I'm really looking forward to season 2.
I don’t mind a second cake with a different recipe, that’s what I expected in the first place. But that second cake should still be done well. I want that cake not only to look pretty on the surface (which they did perfectly!), I want it to have well-written dialogue and good directing. Otherwise that second cake will just be a frustrating experience. I don’t need vinegar in my otherwise pretty cake. Some of the changes were great ideas (41st division for example), but for me most of them weren’t told in a convincing way. If in the following seasons they give the main characters the same love as they gave the fire nation parts, less exposition-heavy dialogue, and way better directing (pacing! More than 2 different camera angles! Emotions! Charakter bonding, not just checkbox plot points!), they’ll be off to a good start.
SO FREAKING EARLY IT FEELS ILLEGAL As someone who only made it till ep 7 on the animated series (it's not that I didn't like it, it's that I forgot it existed 😭) I didn't really find it as bad as people made it out to be. Like....it feels kinda bland/serious, ig (?) imo and the outfits threw me off a bit at first cuz it's just so...bright? Not exactly in a bad way, they just felt too much like cosplay and didn't rly seem like...worn, ig. It was still rly good tho - the only other show I've binged that fast was PJO
I think they made the outfits bright to look like the cartoon as much as possible. that's what I heard anyway :) (they were really detailed, which I thought was cool)
Same here, or well I did watch season 1 and did find season 1 a bit boring cuz I'm an adult and it was a lot of "filler" and childish jokes and I didn't like sokka being sexist, but the live action made me go back cuz i was curious on Azula and such and now the show is one of my favorite shows. I think I also became more invested because it was more story and new cool characters like Toph. I saw the final episodes some days ago and i ended up crying, and it was so epic, I'm so glad i got to watch it, since i didn't watch it as a kid. Also felt like that with PJO too, but I read the PJO books and HOO books before the show came out, now on TOA.
Weirdly enough if I see it as a fans I can still connected with it but If I see it objectively it's worse 😭 But I can agree at least the show are very pretty! And at least they got the cast right.... Oh I think because from the fans pov, I still have the story backstory so I can connect it better because I can see the invisible dot but man the show really does have a lot of exposition dumb and if I watch a show that I know nothing about that would feel boring af.... I get it now
@@tracim3080 well to be fair, they're like making the woman OP but sacrificing everything else.... Katara for example she's so good she doesn't need a master not even a personality...... Suki is the opposite She is so good that now she needs a man to flaunt over...... I like the animated Suki quote about she's a warrior but also a girl, she can be both! It's not a hard concept, people 😭 Katara can be an emotional mess, motherly figure but still kick ass! Suki still can kick ass but also like/depend on man! The ass kicking part is not in the movie for Suki in my opinion...... She kicking Sokka's ass maybe... It just felt like I don't see Suki as a warrior is all
My perspective of live action reboots is this: There are many people who simply won't watch something if it's animated, because they've convinced themselves that they're too "grown up" to watch cartoons. Those are the people it's made for. That's why, in my opinion, it should be as close to the original as possible, so that the new audience will actually see what the fans love.
I think that the live action tried to make everything more realistic and it worked, showing everyone's perspective of war and how it affected them, even the side characters, from the start. We saw everyone's thoughts about it or feelings, for example Iroh's story was showed to us very late into the show, compare to the live action, and the live action reminded us that the guy killed people. He was not only the wise, funny uncle he was a soldier, a killer too. And showed a very more dramatic side of everyone's grief. And by that i mean, that it is another thing to see Katara feeling awful for her mum's death bc she was a waterbender and another thing to see Katara trying to water bend and that to lead to her mum's death. They connected her bending abilities with her trauma and her guilt for me better than the animation show, because in the animation, they made Katara very angry and very mean in " Southern Raiders" towards others without resolving the issue in the end. Also, the fact that the characters were very happy yes, and hopeful in the animated series, it is not so realistic as the characters in the live action, i mean...Katara was depressed and i think that is a realistic emotion when war is happening and your whole family is torn apart by it. And with Sokka, they managed to show his real self like in the animation. Throughout the whole animated series, Sokka was more of the mind than the fighter of the group. And they made both Katara and Sokka go against the believes of their tribes. People of the Water Tribes believed that men are fighters and women are not fighters and Sokka managed to find a way of fighting with a different way and Katara became a fighter. And then you have all these people say that it is a fake masxulinity trope like...we have a whole episode of Sokka having this big breakdown of him not being just a boy with a boomerang and yes, he became a swordsman but he was the mind behind the attack to the Fire Benders too. He is both. He is not only the guy with the boomerang. I think that the whole adaption tried to add some good traits to the characters or even highlight the best parts of themselves, so it would make even older audience see the show without thinking it is a cartoon. Also...we've got all those scenes with Iroh and Zuko like...come on!! And i actually liked Jet in this adaptation, bc he gave a far more important reason to Katara, to like him ( i know i did). He was not just cool. He helped her connect with her trauma. Like... " Remember who she lived" , that is beautiful to say to a person that lost their parent, instead of just remembering how they died. I agree with some of the things you said of course.
They changed too much fundamental things for it to be satisfying for longtime fans. I can see why new fans would enjoy it though. Love your videos ❤ Edit: Also two of your main points contradict each other. You can’t make a completely remixed cake, clearly for new fans rather than established fans because of how much fundamental stuff they’ve changed, and rely on nostalgia as an excuse to not do character development. A. Because all of the new fans you made this for don’t have that established weight of fandom. B. Just because I know what animated Aang is thinking, what he would do and what his motivations are, doesn’t mean I know what Netflix Aang is thinking, what he would do and what his motivations are; because they are two completely different characters.
Nothing wrong in trying to take a darker approach, but what was the need to take Katara's angry personality (even though she's a teen having to deal with the mother role) and removing Aang's conscious decision in running away ? Those ARE things you expect in seeing from kids dealing with issues beyond their control. Plus, having Aang consciously running away would have gone more in line with Bumi's darker mindset in the show. Some elements from the OG would have worked just as fine in the live action too. Maybe would have been more developed here like they couldn't in the OG.
@@JabamiLain Yeah I agree, it almost felt like they changed some things just to try to make it different but if they had left them it would have helped make the changes they did make even stronger. A big thing Aang struggles with in this show is the guilt for having disappeared for a hundred years, but he didn't actually run away like he did in the OG and if he had that guilt would have been easier to connect with as the audience.
What I say it's the worst show? No, not really, but honestly there were times when I watched it and I was like "even the movie did things better" and that is saying something, it seems like they were trying to be too Game of Thrones-like, and that's kind of what threw me off because well yes I do love the Song Of Ice And Fire series, I really don't like when other shows try to emulate the dark and gritty fantasy trope, especially when said shows weren't made to be that way originally, but that's just me.
@@drewfrazee4200 exactly I understand making it more for an adult audience, because the audience is of the original show grew up, most of us are grown now, why is color in Beauty only limited to kids why can't we have a more complex plot for Avatar The Last Airbender, but not make it dark gritty?
@@sindelscat9336 the original show did such a good job of that and I think what many fans felt lacking was that sense of childlike wonder combined with the underlying sub-tones of a dark and gritty setting (literally a world racked with a 100 year war).
@@drewfrazee4200 yeah they're definitely were themes in the original show, that was pretty dark but it never went to the same extent as what they were trying to do in the live-action, and it still had meaning behind the darkness in the og show, in this show it just feels pointless
The argument being that ATLA characters felt so real and their bonds so impactful because of filler is short sighted in my opinion. Just look at other shows that get this right in just a few episodes. Like Hazbin Hotel in 8. The netflix adaptation fails in writing believable dialogs and character moments. And this is important if you have lesser day on day conversations. But there are shows that do it flawlessly in shorter time, while in NATLA you feel you don't know these people when the finale hits. And the few moments you feel something in your chest is when they borrow music from one of the most beloved episodes and play it in the background. Sure its effective but nothing you can praise them for. I get that its supposed to be another cake. But for me this one tastes really really really bad. And the ingredients were so damn good. How could you mess this up? ...
I am glad that people enjoy the live action version. The cast and crew all seem really passionate, and I think they created something that they are proud of. That said, I still think there is really no need for this show to have been made. None of the changes (so far) have been so amazing that I was really happy that I watched. Zuko's crew is my favorite change, but it's not enough for me yet. I know I'll watch books 2 and 3 when they come out though, so maybe I'll change my mind
Most likely not, “this doesnt need to be made” isnt a critique on quality. So why would season 2 & 3 change your mind if it doesnt need to exist? Nothing NEEDS to be made.
i liked the show and i like your comments. and the leaves from the vines scene was my favorite I love how they added that seen it was so emotional and beautiful
If they wanted to do like a “remix” I think they should have done the show from Zuko’s perspective. It would have been so interesting to see the stories and events that happened outside of Aang’s story. That way whenever Zuko collided with the Gaang it would feel fresh and new cause we’d be viewing these battles from a different angle. Plus I think for this generation (and mature audience the show wants to cater to) there would be a lot nuance exploring the perspective of becoming disillusioned from a false history you’ve been taught, overcoming childhood abuse, and of course redemption and rebellion. I feel like it’d give the fans everything they want to see and fit with the condensed run time the show has to work with. Zuko alone is one of the best episodes in the entire series, so I feel like this would really work
Great, thoughtful commentary on the live action vs the original. I agree that it is fun as a new medium and remix, and I LOVED some of their additions (the notebook, the 41st Division 🥹, every scene with Zuko and Iroh, etc.). For every odd or uneven moment, there was something new that was also fun.
My main problem was the fact it’s not ATLA, these aren’t the same characters (their struggles, interactions, and beliefs are often completely different), this isn’t the same power structure (there are full thesis videos deep diving on the differences but the main thing is the fact ATLA has bending be a spiritual and artistic thing, this just feels like power, a physical force), and literally not the same place (the world doesn’t look the same, it looks very inspired). It’d probably be better to just to make an original story. It’s not bad (I wasn’t fond of the insane amount of exposition and repetition, but that’s a problem of a lot of shows) but it’s plain and simple not ATLA. TLOK felt like the same world in a different time period (are there major points of criticism, yes), it felt like the same power structure, and felt grounded in the prequel. I’d probably enjoy this a lot more if they didn’t try to package it as an adaptation of ATLA, it’s not, it’s an OOC fan piece and AU (that doesn’t mean it’s bad).
Excellent video!!! One thing I want to point out, is that live action is always slower than animation... that's just how it works. The best example I can give is "Beauty and the Beast" where it is literally shot for shot, but an hour longer. This is because animation can move blisteringly fast. Entire conversations can be had in 2 sentences... characters can turn their bodies around in a blink of an eye... move (cut) across the screen with ease... and you just can't do that in live action... it's just tough. The whiplash you would feel would be debilitating... like "Mission Impossible" style shooting, on steroids. Take care, my friend!
glad to see your video! Although the Netflix shows clearly has its issues and a lotttt, I also agree with the fact that it has its own plus and I kinda like it for that. I feel like there is so little video acknowledge what the show does well and most act like it is almost the worst but that is just not true. Both shows stand on their own. But I also hope to see improvements in the later seasons.
My biggest problem is always going to be the early introduction of Ozai & Azula. When I first saw the animated series, I was scared of the fire lord. This made me relate to the characters (the trio) and how difficult their journey is going to be. They didn't show him till the third season but kept taking his name or telling his stories through other people. In the second season, when you see how he treated Zuko (agni kai and the banishment) you realise how cruel he is and how hell bent he is about this mission. Even during this scene they don't show us fire lord's face. This was a very big part of the show and what kept us hooked and worried about the trio. Very similar to harry potter where people fear in taking you-know-who's name. It made Voldermort scary in the first 15 mins of the movie.
This show had 1 major problem…dialogue! The story changes, character changes, and plot changes dont matter in an adaptation. Its not supposed to be a 1:1. But the dialogue is off. It doesn't sound natural and lots of unnecessary exposition. Overall a good 7/10 show and a very honest review😁
I agree that an exact replica of the original in live action is unnecessary (which brings me to my point of why make a live action of a perfect animated show at all) but that's why I've always been on the side of create a new story in the Avatar universe in live action instead of adapting an old one that exists.
I had low expectations of the live action site going on, so i was able to enjoy it a lot more. While i tight, the main MCs had lost a lot of their personalities and intercharacter dynamics, i lived seeing how they broadened and enrichened the side characters. I liked getting to explore this other dude of Bumi. He brought in depth emotions of how beat down, jaded, and wore out the ppl of the world are. And the 41st soldiers story... it's a side story i didn't know i needed.
The problem with the show for me is not how much they changed but that they want it both ways too much. They want to be seen as a separate piece of media but then also assume that you know certain parts already as they don't show or tell them but do imply later that this was shown or told. I dont hate the changes but the exposition was so sloppy that they couldn't actually convey what flavour cake it was supposed to be. Sprinting through the plot and leaving out all points of levity so we dont even have time to bond to the characters we're supposed to be invested in. Dunno, just thought the show was a mess.
All that cake talk made me think Mikaila cooking channel spin-off?? Great video! Really well presented commentary Mikaila! Thanks for sharing your point of view!
I do agree with the fandom thing. I read harry potter first then percy jackson, and I just feel so much more connected to percy jackson then harry potter, and I feel like I love the PJO characters more, they feel more real and appealing to me then harry potter, despite them both being fictional. I feel like it's because I had access to the media while I read percy jackson, and I wasn't when reading harry potter. I got to see fan art, and headcanons, and just everything that made it come to life for me. The fandom is really powerful. And also, the live action is VERYYYYY emotional. I don't think I ever cried during the animated episodes, but the live action... I was cosplaying as a waterfall during every single Zuko flashback. Every. Single. One.
That shot of Ginny when you said "lets butcher characters for fun!" was savage XD but also very true. She was on par with Wendy Corduroy in the books and what did we get? "oPeN uP yOu"
I love your take on this! ❤ Although there are things to critique, this show did a great job in both honoring the source materieal and creating s.th. new and I think that's what's important when doing an adaptation.
exchanging strawberry with raspberry, dark chocolate with a mix of dark and milk chocolate and switching the order of layers of the cake while keeping the same special secret ingredients and maybe even adding an extra one that slightly changes the flavor profile in an interesting way is good but if you use 80% of the same ingredients with the difference that you buy them in lower quality, scratch 90% of the secret special ingredients for more basic stuff like sugar because idk we like things to taste more straight forward(?), replace the baker with a middle schooler and still try to make the cake taste and look similar then id argue customers will say "ok but why didnt u just keep the great stuff and focused on adding more cool stuff/ improving on whats there and making small adjustments so u can properly sell it as its own thing?"
I actually disagree when people Say "You can't put the entire season into 8 episodes", every episode is aroun 1 hour, 3 episodes from the animated series, 3×8 =24, it could have been a 1:1 thingi u,u
Couple of years ago, when I was watching Shadowhunters, I decided that I would treat adaptations as a high quality fanfiction, and not stress about changes too much.
With all the special effects that are available nowadays, I don't understand the argument that live action can't do the same things a cartoon can do. Other shows have been able to do it. Some might argue it's because of a lack of budget, but I think it's because of a lack of creativity.
The Netflix avatar the last airbender show I thought was a good show not perfect I had my issues with but i thought it was pretty good and definitely makes up for the disaster that was the movie
I didn't have the heart to watch further after episode 1. I loved the visuals, but they took away the light-heartedness of the show, which was the real charm of the avatar. I don't care about the story changes because I loved percy jackson show, but with avatar, it feels like they took the essence of it. It was just sad to watch.
I see your point. I might finish the live action one now. I've been holding a big grudge especially over Boomie. I dont think I'll ever really like the live action one, but i can now appreciate it a bit better.
We probably should have had that cup of calming tea, but oh well.
Nothing wrong in trying to take a darker approach, but what was the need to take Katara's angry personality (even though she's a teen having to deal with the mother role) and removing Aang's conscious decision in running away ?
Those ARE things you expect in seeing from kids dealing with issues beyond their control. Plus, having Aang consciously running away would have gone more in line with Bumi's darker mindset in the show. Some elements from the OG would have worked just as fine in the live action too. Maybe would have been more developed here like they couldn't in the OG.
Oh well i guess we won’t get any tea
That scene with Zuko and Iroh made me cry, it was so sad.
OMG ME TOO BRO I WAS LITERALLY BAWLING-
That and Iroh's segment from Tales of Ba Sing Se makes me cry every single time I rewatch the series. Never fails.
ME TOO
@@gaius5901 I never truly understood that Iroh had a son who had died until "The Scene" in the live action.
But now it is the SWEETEST thing.
Yeah, it’s easy to capitalize on your emotions when all the hard work of story-telling and character building was completed in a much better way! 💖
One of my favorite changes NATLA made was to present Zuko's crew as the 41st division (i think) that he tried to save during the war meeting. And the scene after they found that out and he returned, ..BEAUTIFUL!
It all made sense and the acting there was great, i genuinely started crying during that whole scene! It's gems like this that make me wish they'll make a season 2!
@@tracim3080 Yeah but I actually prefer that change. The Zuko fighting 'for his honour' plotline got old after a while for me.
It feels very old Chinese cinema cliche, white man's version of Asian perspectives type of thing. We can justify anything because it's for their honour. That's okay for kids but as an adult I really would like to see how they're going to expand that into the complexities of what he's actually feeling as a character.
Yes, he does want to return to his throne and reclaim his honour as the crown prince, but is it more important than these men's lives, is it more important than turning his back on the world that he's seeing is being so hurt by the fire nation. I want to see him deal with the real questions and see the real issues that hot-headed, animated Zuko just never considered until he risked losing the love of his Uncle over it.
I'm curious to see what they come up with to get him to betray his uncle's values and go back to his father, if they're not taking his constant pursuit of 'honour' into consideration. That would be fun. I'm not mad at it.
Yess, this was my absolute favorite plot change!!! It added so much depth to Zuko's character that was amazing
@@secretlyadragon4723L take ngl.
Ngl one of my favourite "cartoon to live action" things was how expressive the Zuko actor was. (I forget his name right now)
His sarcastic and exasperated half eye roll is perfect :D
HE ✨RAANNN✨ was top tier
his head movements are what killed me 😭😭😭
Omg i love when he's with Iroh and his face is 100% "teenager in a family gathering against their will"😂😂 "why are we here, uncle?"
He’s Dallas Liu btw 😊
He was so good.
I absolutely love the cake metaphors that were SPRINKLED into the video
"It's a remix, not a cover." That's such a perfect metaphor. I honestly really enjoyed the Netflix show and the changes. The animated one still has my whole heart, but both can coexist.
Yeah, but the problem is it's not even a good remix. The new Dune movies made a bunch of changes, but you won't see people complaining about it because the changes were in service of the story, the characters and the world building, etc.
The Netflix Live Action features the great plot point spectacles, but no proper set up, character and world building (except Zuko and Iroh stuff). That's like a remix having the chorus/hook of the original but no proper lead up to the bass drop. Everything but the chorus is a mess.
Drew Gooden said it concisely, the show chose spectacle over storytelling.
Thank you for this video. The simple “it was a remix, not a cover” helped me understand the changes so much.
ATLA is by far my favourite show of all time, so it hurt seeing some of the characters be so different… But you’re right - why have two of the exact same cake in my fridge? If I want the original, I can always go back to it.
Funnily enough, NATLA made me realize what it was that made ATLA so special to me, why I’ve rewatched it a dozen times even though I rarely rewatch a show. It’s brought be back to the fandom, allowed me to have deep conversations with the people I know who also loved the original… It’s been beautiful to rediscover ATLA, and honestly, it’s only because of NATLA.
that's so lovely, thank you for sharing this perspective
Nothing wrong in trying to take a darker approach, but what was the need to take Katara's angry personality (even though she's a teen having to deal with the mother role) and removing Aang's conscious decision in running away ?
Those ARE things you expect in seeing from kids dealing with issues beyond their control. Plus, having Aang consciously running away would have gone more in line with Bumi's darker mindset in the show. Some elements from the OG would have worked just as fine in the live action too. Maybe would have been more developed here like they couldn't in the OG.
Interestingly I’ve come back to the fandom as a result of Netflix's adaptation. I’ve started reading novels that I'd never heard of. I’m reading fan fiction that I could never have bothered with in the past, and I’m rewatching the OG series again…. I wouldn’t have done this without the Netflix series. It reminded me why it was so much fun to begin with.
Ah, yes. The remix of turning Katara into a cardboard hollow rendition of a really cool, interesting, and complex original character. Very cool!
Wish they’d put this “remix” back into their iTunes garage band.
It's better than the movie, but it's not hard to be better than something that doesn't exist and never did exist.
There is no war in Ba Sing Se, and there was no ATLA movie.
Just this once Long Feng, I'll follow your lead.
Also, nothing wrong in trying to take a darker approach, but what was the need to take Katara's angry personality (even though she's a teen having to deal with the mother role) and removing Aang's conscious decision in running away ?
Those ARE things you expect in seeing from kids dealing with issues beyond their control. Plus, having Aang consciously running away would have gone more in line with Bumi's darker mindset in the show. Some elements from the OG would have worked just as fine in the live action too. Maybe would have been more developed here like they couldn't in the OG.
Hang on, there was an ATLA movie? When? I do have a large gap in my memory around 2010, likely from excessive alcohol intake to erase something from my brain, but...nah, that can't be a ATLA movie. I love Avatar. I really should check this film out...
@@Cailus3542NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
And there is no Queen of England
Your breakdown is the one I've been looking for! It's exactly what I've been trying to tell everyone around me about it! I have some friends who are hardcore animated series fans, so much so that the negative reviews have scared them off from watching the live action series at all. I think I'll be sending them this review to watch before they decide to shun the live action series completely. The live action is worth a watch, but you need to go into it with the mindset that its a remix, not a cover!
It’s an important way to view all adaptations. It’s the reason I’m often quite relaxed towards changes (not always, stuff does still bother me, but I can take a step back and think, it’s a remix, and then move on).
Not gonna lie, there was a bunch of stuff that did bother me throughout. Bumi is the big one. I still cannot say I love what they did there, but like the video says, I can see the reasons why it was done, and I can see the narrative merit that was served by him acting like that.
I do not have a problem with plot or character arc changes. I just feel that the dialogue could have used a lot more work and failed those changes
I agree, like I know there was a better way to get the importance of Aang’s emotional state in the first episode across better than having him deliver straight exposition to appa 😂
@@magicbymikailabut you can guarantee if they had tried to be subtle people would have been angry that they didn’t know what Aang was thinking.
Yeah this is my issue. I don't care if the show isn't a shot for shot remake of the original and makes changes with the plot (as long as the major beats are still hit) or slight character arc tweaks; it helps that I only saw the original once literally eons ago, so I don't have a great memory of all the details of the plot and episodes like a diehard fan would. The real problem for me is that the writing of the dialogue is so bad, and some of the characters lack so much personality, mainly Katara but also Sokka and Aang to a degree as well. Subtlety is out the window and they have to explain all their emotions and the themes, instead of just letting the show speak for itself, as many have said. The serious tone they're trying to go for (combined with the bad dialogue writing) drags down the main trio, meanwhile Zuko and Iroh are actually done incredible justice, as is all the fire nation tweaks and additions in general. Zuko really feels like he walked right out of the animated show, his actor understands (and also more accurately, was allowed to portray) exactly what makes Zuko Zuko; Iroh and Zhao on the other hand are arguably VERY different from how they are originally personality-wise, and yet at the same time they feel just right, the spirit of their characters is still there. I felt the most emotions with everything to do with the fire nation crew, and I don't attribute that entirely to being super faithful; the writing and acting was just.... better with them.
An adaptation doesn't need to be completely faithful plot-wise in order to be good; the heart and soul of the original media just needs to be there. Usually most of them nowadays put too much emphasis on the former (to combat so many complaints in the past of movies of books making too many changes), but they fall flat still because they're trying to just hit bullet points of events fans want to see, and none of the soul is there. Or you have an adaptation that fails at both to a degree, like netflix atla, so it just ends up being kind of mediocre. I haven't seen netflix One Piece yet but this idea is why I think so many people ended up loving that, because although it seemingly made a lot of changes, the original creator was involved and the heart and soul of the original shines through, without it needing to be super faithful.
Same i feel like they did well but in my opinion they lacked in properly showing aang accepting monk gyatso's death and if they are still going to make aang and katara get together later on they need to show that they don't have this brother sister relationship. Also I don't know if I'm wrong but why didn't they show aang learning water bending, it feels like they didn't even attempt and yea I guess its implied since we already know he's supposed to be learning but it's still too vital to the story for it to just be assumed. Lastly, they didn't really show the big 3's personality even though it fits the setting and circumstances. The reason why atla was so enjoyable was bc yea they are dealing with war and constantly being attacked but they are also just kids at the end of the day who just want to know what life is like when they're not at war( also the wigs were just too bad I cant get over that). But besides that the live action was enjoyable more people need the remix not a cover mentality when it comes to remakes or adaptations. 😊
Dang this is long 😪😳
This made me like not only the live action avatar but also the Percy Jackson show because it can be viewed in the same way.
To all those who complain about Annabeth not being blonde:
Percy is the dumb blonde, fight me
Yeah I totally agree! I really liked the Percy Jackson show because I knew going in that it WAS going to be different, it WAS going to be a "remix" of sorts, and that knowledge allowed me to sit back and enjoy it for what it was.
@@user-cm8di3eb2t...Well, in the books, he indeed isn't the academics type, so I guess the trope being thrown upon him in the show fits. But is he really dumb though ? From personal experience, I know how hard it can be to improvise and work with something in the moment out of the blue.
@@JabamiLain I was talking about Annabeth's whole thing with people not thinking she's smart because she's blonde. So yeah, I guess it's sort of the same thing with Percy? Nvm, he'll always be seaweed brain lol even though he's kinda smart in his own way
@@user-cm8di3eb2tit does fit him, certainly. Most protagonists of the same trope (not the blond one, the easy going trope) are usually not seen as smart. But they are VERY capable. More than they, themselves, believe.
I enjoyed it despite some clunky dialogue and some changes I didn't agree with. I liked a few minor story changes they made and it had great visuals, which is what I was mainly looking for from a live action ATLA
I personally ADORED the live action remake. Seeing all of the places and characters from the original put into real life with so much color and magic was such a great experience, not to mention the amazing cast.
i’ll keep shouting this at the wall
this show was so pretty, such a beautiful show to look at that I can almost ignore the things they got wrong
the scenery was so gorgeous, I made a screenshot of omashu my phone lockscreen hahaha
I felt that it was rushed, we didn't get much team bonding, they turned 20 episodes into 8
I know, Aang spent so much time away from Sokka and Katara and they didn’t have time to do anything fun :(
still the same amount of watch time though lol
@@imMittensKitten which is idk if it's funny or sad lol
yeahh! this was a good way to explain it. I enjoyed the live action, but I remember wishing if there could be a pause from all the action/drama going on.
@@Mrs.ragnvindr31 Ikr
What happened is they fell into the classic trap of remakes: they couldn't justify why it exists and they tried too hard BEFOREHAND to justify the changes. Film and TV are very visual mediums. Instead of doing the talking for your show, just shut up and let us figure out for ourselves if the changes work or not. And there were SOME changes that did work. But too much of it just lost the entire point of the original series. Having Aang just be a victim of circumstance COMPLETELY undermines the entire point of the story. (That, along with having him be just so accepting of his role.) That he's a child soldier who had to grow up too fast because the world needed him. Aang was an Avatar who needed to learn how to BE the Avatar. Korra was an Avatar who needed to learn how to be HUMAN.
Thank you so for doing such a great sum up of what makes the Netflix Avatar an enjoyable watch. It gets very tiring to keep hearing all things it does wrong. Not everything is perfect, but you can tell a lot of love and dedication was put into it.
I love the casting for Azula. She looks like a normal cute teenager from a distance but when the show closes up to her the actress straight up is able to morph into a mean girl which is just so Azula
Fr! So many people want her to be a straight up villain like how she is in season 2 but for some reason they seem to forget she’s a person- she’s gonna have relatable qualities while also being a terrible person and not just be a straight up mustache-twirling villain. I really liked that they added a prequel story to her character, her and Zuko while obviously gravitating towards different parents, are still in the same environment with a father who cares more about power and control over his own kids wellbeing. We see how Ozai manipulated Zuko into believing he would come back and Zhao straight telling him he was being played was cold, then we see him use Zuko as a way to bring down azula and is just using him to drive herself insane. And Mai tells her the same thing!! Idk, it’s just weird seeing people get mad that azulas is showing she doubts herself when I think that makes her character stronger.
Ty! I was skeptical before watching because of her looking too cute and innocent, but then I watched it and she did so good! She looks so evil and menacing, especially with her hair down!🔥🔥🔥 And she does look 14!
My biggest complaint is about Katara being an empty shell in this show…
What's even more disappointing is that Kiawentiio does have Katara's short temper and personality and that the writers did her so dirty.
@@kaveenasingsandcosplays3441 yeah I agree, and the scene with her mother she’s very on point, you get emotionally engaged
0:13 everyone agrees that the cabbage man was the best. From what i saw hes the same person who voices the cabbage man in the animated show ❤
I loved it. Was it perfect? No. Were there things I would change? Yes. But soooo many of the changes were wonderful, like Yue and Sokka’s relationship, Han being a decent guy, Bumi having actual emotions about his country being invaded, Zuko’s crew being the legion he saved…. I really did love it.
i agree, especially han. Like I was actually sad when he died. We love live action Han
I respect your take on it, and massively appreciate the statement by the director that graciously accepts criticism. I've only seen the first few episodes, however, I do think the general storytelling isn't that effective and I don't think all the actors are directed to best show their personalities. There's a lot of exposition dumping, and changes that don't have the narrative effect that they should if the writers are genuinely going for a different tone. It makes it hard for me to enjoy, but it is generally very pretty with high production value. It did have people who worked hard on it, so I'm glad there are people who like it.
What made me dislike it so much were odd character changes like Bumi being a bitter old man and Sokka not going through the entire arc with Suki as well as the lifeless acting by some of the main leads. The technical stuff was on point.
I’ve just been rewatching the show. The whole sexism thing is over and done with by episode 4. It really is not the huge arc that people think it is.
@@intergalactic92 Exactly
@@intergalactic92I’m also rewatching and that is false. It’s the out the entire first season… maybe you should pay more attention. Dokkan makes sexist remarks and comments for a while, people seem to think he stopped after meeting and getting beat up easily by suki, those people just prove they don’t know much about the show. 🤦♂️
Everyone says it isn’t a big deal they took it out of the show… then why is almost everyone upset by it? Why are the people who loves Ayla the most hating on this? I swear, some people are so delusional
The "despite getting so much wrong" should be directed to the (2010) movie. The NATLA series has some adjustments but they all worked together to be appealing to new fans. The animated will be the best bec obviously it's the OG but the ATLA fans have become so toxic to the point of being nonsense already. It's like it has become a trend to hate rather than appreciate. Imagine being in a room of people who never saw any atla show prior this, it's just pure joy or in a room of non toxic fans watching it then it will still be a fun ride for them. However a room of toxic and feeling perfect people watching it are just pure evil and just want to complain about everything in life. I am just so proud of these actors and staff bec in the end they all worked hard for this and it has been successful
This is exactly the perspective that is needed. Expecting a cover is not healthy and inevitably leads to disappointment. I’ve been using the phrase, it’s not a photocopy, but maybe this remix vs cover phrase is better.
And you are so right about the changes being done for reasons. Bumi is very debatable as to whether that’s a good reason, but Suki and Yue definitely are improved by the changes. I was never a fan of Yue in the original (at all) but I actually cared about her in Netflix.
I liked the Netflix version (not as much as the original, but still enjoyed it). I actually think the Zuko/Iron relationship in this first season is better than season 1 of the cartoon because we got more. And it's possible that raised everything from the live action up more than it might have been without it
Full respect and appreciation to this video. I've found that, as I get older, I have more of an appreciation for the art that goes into adaptations as a separate medium, and i have more fun with them than I did as a kid. I've found a better appreciation now that I can always (and do) go back to the original content, so I appreciate new twists more!
Anyone else like the bit where Zuko was given the battalion of new recruits that he didn't want slaughtered? When he was banished?
I liked it.
this was SUCH a good little change, that scene had me crying 👏🏼
@@magicbymikaila Did not expect you to reply to this personally, but that was a nice surprise.
I honestly thought that this would go unrecognized. XD
Your videos are so full of positivity, it fills my heart ❤
This is how constructive criticism is done. And may be I loved this video more because you reflected my thoughts about the Netflix ATLA so correctly.
And finally, hats off to Albert Kim. His message to the fans was one of the wisest replies to such criticisms that I've ever seen. This was our CALMING TEA and as a dedicated fandom -
WE NEEDED THE CALMING TEA. WE DRANK IT, AND IT WAS GREAT🤭
Been waiting for this video and it was worth the wait! 100% agree with everything you said Mikaila. I thought the show was great but definitely not perfect and I'm looking forward to seasons 2 and 3. The show works as a remix and I felt most of the changes were justified, so I just hope that the new showrunner keeps this mentality and doesn't decide to try and do a 1:1 remake for the sake of appeasing fans.
Appreciated hearing your thoughts! I agree that the show shouldn’t be a shot for shot because then…what’s the point?
There were some changes I liked; I thought weaving Jet and the Mechanist in Omashu was great. I liked Boumie’s character change. Zuko’s crew being the division he saved was brilliant, and made such a tight story as to why Zuko is so angry, always being surrounded by the reminder of why he was banished, but also being surrounded by who he protected…people who come to realize they owe him his life. I think there was no better way to give Zuko a loyal crew, and I am all here for it.
But there were still things that didn’t make sense, or felt underdeveloped. Boumie and Aang’s time together just felt like filler until Sokka and Katara showed up; I think they could’ve completely done away with the “games”. Katara and Sokka entering the spirit world was because…Katara has always “felt” spiritual? And Katara’s arc in general felt very underdeveloped.
Or changes they made without creating an at least equally convincing or compelling substitute. Kyoshi giving a vision of the future, instead of Roku letting Aang know he needs to learn the elements asap because there’s a comet coming that could end the war, which pushes the group north fast so he can learn water bending…I’m sorry, but one is more convincing and compelling, as it drives the overall plot AND Aang’s personal development more than the other (and they brought up the comet at the very end, so they’re definitely planning to include it).
I dunno. Parts of the remix I think worked, things were added, removed and mixed well; and parts of it just sounded off to me.
Katara’s arc deserved way more time and attention! 👏🏼 I thought they started off pretty strong with an interesting focus on her trauma of being the last waterbender in her tribe and how that allowed her and aang to bond over the cultural burden they both shared, but as the episodes went on it felt like her story just got left behind 🥲 I’m really hoping season 2 gives her the attention she deserves, there’s a new showrunner next season so it’ll be interesting to see where they take these stories!
@@magicbymikaila I hope so too! There’s potential for sure.
I completely understand them pumping the brakes on the comet though. It took three years, maybe more when you look at production times to bring out all threes seasons of ATLA. But this is fine with an animation because all you have to do is keep drawing the characters the exact same way to show that they haven't aged. But when you're dealing with human beings who age and grow and look different year after year, you can't have Aang acting like twelve for three-five years between three seasons, give or take a year, when he's obviously looking older. It would not work. They HAD to adjust the timeline of the plot to better fit the actors natural aging and how they'll be growing through the seasons. That was a change I actually expected and I wouldn't be surprised if Aang actually defeats the fire lord in this version of the story when he's more like 15. Like they might jump some time to make up for his aging between this season and the next.
I think you did a really good job being as fair as possible to the show by highlighting that it was never meant to be a cover.
I think the actors, costumes, music etc were all done well. I hope that in the next season we have better dialogue where it doesn't feel like it's back to back exposition. I also have watched a lot of interviews the cast, and they have such good dynamic and I hope they can do it here.
For example, Netflix's Shadow & Bone was a remix of two book series. Where they brought the Six of Crows characters into the story S&B series & gave them a new heist, and the characters still felt like themselves. That show had other problems but that was the vibe I was hoping for from the new ATLA live action that felt like a miss for me. I was expecting the same characters and the same team dynamic, and I felt I didn't really get that. Still excited for the next season though.
This. Remixing it was less of a problem to me than the show just having poorly drawn out dialogue. Katara's character was underwhelming in NATLA. She didn't feel at all like the character that I expected. Instead of the fiery, determined Katara I was expecting, she felt like a watered-down version. I missed seeing her flaws, her struggles, her envy of Aang's natural talent. They stripped away her journey of hard work and growth, leaving us with just another talented bender who doesn't need a master. They erased that her storyline shows hard work can be greater than a natural talent, it left me feeling pretty disconnected to NATLA's Katara.
I agree with you on the Six of Crow characters be remixed into Shadow & Bone, they felt like the same team & same dynamic even if the setting was different.
NATLA trio barely spent time together. There were too many competing storylines each episode that just didn't need to be brought in and could have waited until later seasons.
I don't know why all the adults are so busy guilt-tripping Aang in this when he didn't run away or avoid responsibility in this version like he did in the cartoon. There's no reason to reprimand this new Aang who is nothing but trying to be responsible at all times. So Bumi's character change doesn't make sense in the context of the story they are presenting. He's giving bitter old man vs Aang's friend who was happy to see him but had some wisdom to share after having lived 100 yrs.
I didn't agree either that Kyoshi's vision is what made them go North rather than Roku just telling Aang about the comet - which they show at the end of the series anyway so they clearly plan on including it. Roku's gives Aang a time limit to learn and master all four elements, you know, be the Avatar. Kyoshi feels like she just gives him a side quest.
Btw Azula's character arc is such a mess now that I'm not sure how they'll save it. She should have just been left for the next season when she'd actually have something to do in the story.
So I don't fully agree that people not expecting a remix is why so many cartoon fans don't like it vs it wasn't a well written show when all the ingredients were there. I think the cartoon fans are frustrated because we knew the quality of the ingredients so we're not sure how we ended up with something that's lacking substance.
@@kittypowpow3872natla's katara was a more realistic take on katara, and i strongly believe theyre building an even better arc for katara! Arguably her guilt and trauma is even worse in natla, she saw her mom burnt to death in front of her. if bending acts as an extension of the bender, her meekness at the beginning matched up with her waterbending skills and as the series progressed you could see her becoming more confident. Towards the end she literally became the Katara we all know and love but yalls hate boner is too big to recognize that 😭
@@virgosgrooove hate boner is pretty dramatic for pointing out flaws in character development. I imagine a lot of fans wanted to like the new show, were excited for it, and were ok with a remix. I am still hopeful for future seasons doing a better job with writing and dialogue.
We got Katara traumatized by her mom's death in the cartoon. It's brought up in numerous, more impactful, ways in some of the best episodes in later seasons.
NATLA Katara had one conversation with Jet about it, pictured her mom happy, then was able to do the water whip. She then ignores that he helped her later in the same episode and said she did it all by herself.
This is a shell of the amount of hard work cartoon Katara puts in because she's not a natural talent. She works hard and eventually becomes good enough to become Aang's teacher. Not having Aang water bend in this also took away the slight initial rivalry she felt towards him because he is a natural talent. For me, it felt like her storyline was rushed through without all of the powerful emotive moments she got in the cartoon. In the cartoon she's the heart of team avatar and it didn't feel like it in season 1 NATLA.
You hit the nail right on the head while they animated last Airbender will always be there it's nice to have this show to get a new interpretation
Exactly! Its not meant to replace! It can never replace! Why would anyone even want to replace something they love? It's like someone trying ro replace your favorite stuffed animal with a new one that is exactly the same, it doesn't work and you'll probably resent them trying. This is something familiar, but different and i appreciate it for that. Was it perfect? No, but it had so much i loved and I'll take it and look forward to the next seasons
I was willing to watch a remix. I thought there could be some things that they added to it or expanded on that would be more interesting. I got halfway through and turned off this weak tea to go watch the original.
They replaced Sokka's arc? no they didn't. He was always insecure. He just used to cover for it by being overconfident and puffing out his chest. Which are signs of an insecure young man aping manhood because he doesn't quite know how to get there yet by himself. They also gave him less screen time, and took his actual cleverness away from him, instead trying to say he shouldn't be a warrior at all instead of valuing him for all his skills.
They improved Katara's battle with Paku by not having it be a love story with Gran Gran? That COULD have improved things if they hadn't turned Katara into a Mary Sue. She went from someone who worked hard and struggled to someone who didn't need any help after all. Naturally gifted, just like Aang and Toph. So you know, if you're not naturally gifted at things, there's no point in just trying and working hard. If it's meant to be, it will just naturally happen to you. :(
Bumi was meant to serve Aang's arc? You're overlooking the fact that Aang in the cartoon DID the things Bumi and others accuse him of, running away from his responsibilities. In the Netflix show, he basically just went for a walk to clear his head. So instead of abandoning people, he's a concientious and talented boy who has never strayed from his responsibilities and people just keep trying to guilt him for something totally beyond his control. So if it WERE the original Aang, the argument that Bumi was changed to support his arc would be reasonable. But because they obliterated Aang's arc so that now he's not guilty, it doesn't actually work. (Oh, poor Bumi. That was a travesty in other respects as well, but maybe I'll get to that part later).
Suki ... um.. . no, she doesn't have an arc except to be a Sokka fangirl now. It's actually a more sexist story now that Sokka isn't sexist. Because now he doesn't humble himself and then train hard, winning Suki's attention and respect. He just has this cool girl throwing herself at him because he comes from somewhere different. She's also kind of creepy and weirdly touchy feelie and coming on to him in a way that's really uncomfortable. Though my discomfort may be emphasized by the fact that I've studied martial arts. So that whole scene of her in the new things "teaching " him I just seek as an excuse to grope him because that is NOT how you teach someone martial arts. The original cartoon? That was proper teaching. This is like the scenes in sports movies where the guy comes up behind the woman and holds the club/bat/whatever with her to show her how to swing. But worse because I think there's actually some legit purpose to it. This served no purpose other than to grope Sokka.
In regards to the music, i do totally approve of seeing how pieces sound with traditional Asian instruments, bringing in Asian foods, and otherwise taking inspiration from real Asian and Indigenous cultures. And I don't usually see complaints about those aspects. Mos people say the show looks and sounds good. And in doing this with live action, it makes clear that the characters are all Asian/Indigenous, and I see a positive there in terms of representation.
And credit to him, at least, for not hating people who dislike his show.
Um... let's see. Back to the Bumi thing which is also the Paku thing. Other than Iroh, this show disconnects the characters and the generations. Instead of connecting people and families it shatters them. Katara doesn't need a master. Bumi is no longer Aang's friend with something to teach him in the wisdom of 100 years.. Sokka's father no longer respects him. And that is all very sad. In a world where people cut offr relatives when things get the least bit difficult, it's reinforcing the trend of breaking the generations rather than encouraging people to look to their elders and find ways to incorporate the old with the new. That's among it's many flaws.
It has also given ALL of the characters a deep rooted anxiety, and sanded off any parts of them that might make them unlikeable and thus more real. (this is why they're so bland it hurts). Aang is no always responsible, Katara is never angry, Sokka is never overconfident.
And Azula ... yes shes a villain, but she's already just shattered pieces of pottery on the floor. Defeating her will mean nothing because she's no threat.
So yeah. Some changes I could have enjoyed if the characters had any personality. (Though the Bumi thing was never ever going to work for me. The loss of Bumi's wisdom is the worst part.)
Mostly, this just leaves me feeling that they should have done Korra instead. It would be hard to make that worse than it already is, especially if you were sincerely trying to make it better.
Amazing take, honestly.
This was a great breakdown! I also enjoyed the show especially when I decided (early on) to not compare it to the original. I feel like I enjoyed the show a lot *because* I had watched the original and like you said, that already gave me an emotional connection with the LA show's characters. I do believe it is a solid entertaining show and look forward to what they do with the rest of the series!
This video perfectly sums up the situation between anime and live action. The best thing of the live action is that it gave my friends and family a chance to watch Avatar and understand my passion about this universe. For that reason alone, I think the live action is a success
This is similar with the Percy Jackson show, while I also had problems with that show, it's also a remix just like Avatar, and I hope both shows gets an improvements in the next seasons
Love the video excellent points well made. I will say I like that they're showing Azula and the fire lord early I'd love more opportunities to dig into Azula's psyche, and let's all be honest the original fire lord while he is an amazing villain he's also a very basic one, he's all about power nothing else matters I reaaaallllyyyy love the scene where he's burning Zuko's face and is tearing up that is very interesting and I want to know what else they'll do with his character.
The costumes were AMAZING. I was blown away.
It's just like the Genie on Aladdin's live action
Will Smith didn't try to be an exact copy of Robin Williams. He did the Genie on his own way
The idea that's 'it's a remix not a cover' is really interesting and I'm going to try and keep that in mind when I watch more adaptations now instead of sulking in my blanket burrito muttering 'that's not what they did in the original'. While I really disliked certain changes (Katara saying you need us in the battle has it's merits but...girl. YOU know how to fight but they've only EVER been taught how to heal. Throwing them into a life and death battle against the fire nation for their first ever combat training would realistically be less an empowering moment of girl hood and more likely a really good way to get all of your healers killed in one go...) I really loved the casting for the show and I think some of the tonal shifts were perfect for adapting a show made for kids that adults can enjoy to a show made more teens and adults that kids could also like.
I'm glad some one pointed this out, I feel like they were just trying to get a girl power moment in and it ended up not really making a lot of sense
@@drewfrazee4200 oh for sure. The sentiment is there and it ties into their sexism theme but then they should've had at least one scene where Katara walks in on them practicing fighting in secret or something to make it make sense in the narrative. Otherwise it's just taking a bunch of nurses and throwing them into combat and saying 'just pull the trigger you'll be fine' and expecting that to go well.
The cake metaphor was perfection. It really does help to put the changes and things I didn't quite like into perspective. I totally agree that if you're going to do something again there needs to be something new brought to the table, otherwise why bother doing it all. I had a few issues with some of the show (mainly the pacing and dialogue) but those are all things that can be addressed and ultimately, I liked way more about it that I disliked so that's a win. I'm really happy they are going to get to finish out the show.
With someone who only ever saw the movie lmao I really enjoyed this Netflix version.
One day i will binge watch the anime. I think the Netflix version did a good job bring me in as a new viewer.
So great to hear your perspective as a viewer who hasn’t seen the animated show! It makes me super happy that the Netflix show is introducing the world of avatar to new people 🥹 (also honestly you probably got the best viewing experience possible, there was nowhere to go but up after the 2010 movie 😂)
@@magicbymikaila Ageed. Now I just need a dargon ball z show next lol I only have Dragon Ball Z evolution for reference 😅
I loved it for what it was, an imperfect but beautiful retelling of another beautiful and imperfect story I loved as a kid. My main issue with it is the fact some of it was filmed during the pandemic and writers' strike, like a lot of Gordon/Aang scenes, and you can feel the tonal shifts. But otherwise, 4/5 cabbages
I’m really loving these longer videos you’ve done recently. They’re very well done.
It’s also nice to see someone who can talk about NATLA in such a positive but also more neutral way. People I see online (not the best medium I admit) are mostly one way or another, so I like the way you do it.
My biggest qualm is that the gaang was too separated so I didn’t feel as connected to their relationship. And I need katara to have some more energy, but I overall enjoyed the show
Your filler episode points are totally right and I think a one-for-one remake of the original would have been uninspired, uncanny and misguided at best (*coughLionKingcough*) and I was able to go into this show being open-minded and interested to see which themes, story and lore they would explore with greater depth. I was also excited to see how they would honour the asian inspirations from the show and I think they knocked it out of the park. The set pieces, world design, some of the acting, getting to see so much incredible & diverse asian talent on display were all true joys. My favourite performances went to Suki and Sokka (the Kyoshi warriors episode was by far my favourite and I actually teared up from the unexpected story they explored between Suki and her mom), and I personally really love what they did with Azula. You see her being carved into the brutal, competitive & sadistic person she is, and I think the actress played a more emotionally compelling & subtle character than in the cartoon. She's still a child, which is something I think we forget in the show, and I think it will be more clear that her character arc is one of tragedy, something you really only get to understand in the sequel comics. The scene at Iroh's son's funeral was incredibly moving. Iroh didn't say a single word, and it was acted to perfection. I felt the first episode had a lot of awkward, poorly written moments, and Princess Yue's sacrifice felt frustrating to watch & lacked the poetic beauty and power of the original (it might even be one of the only scenes the movie did better). Some of the writing was very clunky, other times it was great. Katara's water-bending prowess was so satisfying in the last few episodes, though it did feel a bit unearned, mainly because the show just didn't have time to explore water bending as a whole. Not sure why they didn't have Aang do any water bending. Did they have a reason? And team avatar, like you said, simply did not feel like a team by the end. I'm crossing my fingers they do right by my girl Toph in season 2. I think heads will roll if they don't.
2:46 NOOOO! NOT THE CABBAGES!
I loved learning how much culture was put into the live action! I honestly though the costumes and sets were beautiful, they really brought the world to life. I also like that you pointed out the “wants” they added for the characters. I think those are great.
I fully expected this show to be different, but I still felt like the writing of the dialogue and plot weren’t the best. And the acting wasn’t my fave. So I enjoyed it, but was still left a bit disappointed.
I was honestly on the fence about watching this, but you’ve definitely convinced me 👍🏼
Love you too 😊 I hope the showrunner sees your video and feels proud of some of the changes they made.
I'm fine with them taking a different take but even the pacing are off af.... Like tell me how many times they repeat the intro within the character on the scene??? "WE GET IT! FIRE NATIONS ATTACK AND THERES ONLY ONE LAST AIR BENDER! STOP TELLING ME ABOUT IT" its also not just that, a lot of thing got repeat like we, the viewer, are a bunch of 5yo that wouldn't be able to connect the plot at all.... Show us stop telling us! And maybe just maybe stop telling us more than once! Or at least twice!
They really needed more of the show don't tell principle. One of the worst scenes is when Aang is talking about how he likes to have fun but we NEVER see it!
@@drewfrazee4200 yeahh the fight scene, extra scene is cool and all but maybe spent more time on scene that the character telling us about rather than just an extra scene that probably isn't relevant for that plot yet ;-; that would make it show rather than tell.... I think that's why people don't connect with them much, unless you're a fans of the show already, we don't need a full episode of filler just to connect with them.... I think Dylan is in Trouble's video about this show is pretty spot on, he talks about the direction stuff, one of the examples would be how Aang flashbacks in the animation is only 5 minutes and we connect with him more there rather than in the live show because of the scene choice (what they showing) they make....
@@Mrs.ragnvindr31 Yes it felt like they didn't have the right emphasis in some scenes that could have been really impactful and connected us with the characters. But they did do so in some scenes like the Iroh and Suko at the funeral scene, barely any dialogue and its not a long scene but really impactful even for non ATLA fans.
@@drewfrazee4200 oh I agree I think if they made the fire nation the "protagonist" it would work tho, like they already develop the fire nation so much (and the character) and the title would still make sense cuz Zuko still will hunt Aang lol but we'll just get the pov from Zuko instead of Aang, anything Aang and the gang development would be like how Zuko and the rest of fire nation in the original animation were develop, if that make sense, a lot of happened in the background but the important scene we still see
The last episode was the epitome of unnecessary repetition:
„The avatar is lost!“
„The avatar is lost!“
„The avatar is lost!“
„The avatar is lost!“
Followed by Aang of course not being lost since Katara can talk to him although he is 300ft away immersed in water.
And
„Stop dwelling on the past and instead focus on the future!“
„Isn’t it time to stop dwelling on the past and instead focus on the future?“
„Stop dwelling on the past and instead focus on the future!“
„We should stop dwelling on the past and instead focus on the future!“
„You should dwelling on the past and instead focus on the future!“
a measured discussion of the show? I thought I'd never see the day! Mikaila, this is such a good video that covers so much of how i feel about the show!
I appreciate your commentary on avatar the last Airbender remix. It was very deep.
I LOVED this video! ❤ my friend introduced me to you and this video and i completely agree with you 👏 I came in wanting to love the live action series and I did, because my mindset was: “20 episode wittled down to 8 episodes, there are going to be changes but good changes.”
It was still enjoyable, still captured the heart. Though they kinda butchered katara, it was still wayyyy better than the movie.
Yeah. They smothered her fire.
WOW, finally someone speaking STRAIGHT facts about this show! I agree with everything you said will for sure be adding you to the Avatar video I’ve been working on!
It’s nice to see someone talking positively on the show, so many “die hard” fans of the OG shitting on it and it’s like… why? Sure there’s a lot of tell and not a lot of a show. But it had to be made in a way that was serviceable to the average Joe AND fan.
Thank you so much for that cake metaphor, now I have a reason to go eat cake!!! (and also a really good way to explain to my friends why the live action show isn't bad because its different, that too)
Great video on the cover vs remix issue.
I've been a fan of the cartoon for a long time now, but I was still able to enjoy the live action on its own terms. Yes, it's not perfect, but it does a lot of interesting things with the material it was given. I'm really looking forward to season 2.
I don’t mind a second cake with a different recipe, that’s what I expected in the first place.
But that second cake should still be done well. I want that cake not only to look pretty on the surface (which they did perfectly!), I want it to have well-written dialogue and good directing. Otherwise that second cake will just be a frustrating experience. I don’t need vinegar in my otherwise pretty cake.
Some of the changes were great ideas (41st division for example), but for me most of them weren’t told in a convincing way.
If in the following seasons they give the main characters the same love as they gave the fire nation parts, less exposition-heavy dialogue, and way better directing (pacing! More than 2 different camera angles! Emotions! Charakter bonding, not just checkbox plot points!), they’ll be off to a good start.
SO FREAKING EARLY IT FEELS ILLEGAL
As someone who only made it till ep 7 on the animated series (it's not that I didn't like it, it's that I forgot it existed 😭) I didn't really find it as bad as people made it out to be.
Like....it feels kinda bland/serious, ig (?) imo and the outfits threw me off a bit at first cuz it's just so...bright? Not exactly in a bad way, they just felt too much like cosplay and didn't rly seem like...worn, ig.
It was still rly good tho - the only other show I've binged that fast was PJO
I think they made the outfits bright to look like the cartoon as much as possible. that's what I heard anyway :) (they were really detailed, which I thought was cool)
Yes, I was thrown by the costumes too but I think it was a choice because as the show goes on their costumes start to look more lived in.
Same here, or well I did watch season 1 and did find season 1 a bit boring cuz I'm an adult and it was a lot of "filler" and childish jokes and I didn't like sokka being sexist, but the live action made me go back cuz i was curious on Azula and such and now the show is one of my favorite shows. I think I also became more invested because it was more story and new cool characters like Toph. I saw the final episodes some days ago and i ended up crying, and it was so epic, I'm so glad i got to watch it, since i didn't watch it as a kid. Also felt like that with PJO too, but I read the PJO books and HOO books before the show came out, now on TOA.
Weirdly enough if I see it as a fans I can still connected with it but If I see it objectively it's worse 😭 But I can agree at least the show are very pretty! And at least they got the cast right.... Oh I think because from the fans pov, I still have the story backstory so I can connect it better because I can see the invisible dot but man the show really does have a lot of exposition dumb and if I watch a show that I know nothing about that would feel boring af.... I get it now
@@tracim3080 well to be fair, they're like making the woman OP but sacrificing everything else.... Katara for example she's so good she doesn't need a master not even a personality...... Suki is the opposite She is so good that now she needs a man to flaunt over...... I like the animated Suki quote about she's a warrior but also a girl, she can be both! It's not a hard concept, people 😭 Katara can be an emotional mess, motherly figure but still kick ass! Suki still can kick ass but also like/depend on man! The ass kicking part is not in the movie for Suki in my opinion...... She kicking Sokka's ass maybe... It just felt like I don't see Suki as a warrior is all
@@tracim3080 yeahh so true lol I feel like we're really going backwards
My perspective of live action reboots is this: There are many people who simply won't watch something if it's animated, because they've convinced themselves that they're too "grown up" to watch cartoons. Those are the people it's made for. That's why, in my opinion, it should be as close to the original as possible, so that the new audience will actually see what the fans love.
I think that the live action tried to make everything more realistic and it worked, showing everyone's perspective of war and how it affected them, even the side characters, from the start. We saw everyone's thoughts about it or feelings, for example Iroh's story was showed to us very late into the show, compare to the live action, and the live action reminded us that the guy killed people. He was not only the wise, funny uncle he was a soldier, a killer too. And showed a very more dramatic side of everyone's grief. And by that i mean, that it is another thing to see Katara feeling awful for her mum's death bc she was a waterbender and another thing to see Katara trying to water bend and that to lead to her mum's death. They connected her bending abilities with her trauma and her guilt for me better than the animation show, because in the animation, they made Katara very angry and very mean in " Southern Raiders" towards others without resolving the issue in the end. Also, the fact that the characters were very happy yes, and hopeful in the animated series, it is not so realistic as the characters in the live action, i mean...Katara was depressed and i think that is a realistic emotion when war is happening and your whole family is torn apart by it.
And with Sokka, they managed to show his real self like in the animation. Throughout the whole animated series, Sokka was more of the mind than the fighter of the group. And they made both Katara and Sokka go against the believes of their tribes. People of the Water Tribes believed that men are fighters and women are not fighters and Sokka managed to find a way of fighting with a different way and Katara became a fighter. And then you have all these people say that it is a fake masxulinity trope like...we have a whole episode of Sokka having this big breakdown of him not being just a boy with a boomerang and yes, he became a swordsman but he was the mind behind the attack to the Fire Benders too. He is both. He is not only the guy with the boomerang. I think that the whole adaption tried to add some good traits to the characters or even highlight the best parts of themselves, so it would make even older audience see the show without thinking it is a cartoon.
Also...we've got all those scenes with Iroh and Zuko like...come on!! And i actually liked Jet in this adaptation, bc he gave a far more important reason to Katara, to like him ( i know i did). He was not just cool. He helped her connect with her trauma. Like... " Remember who she lived" , that is beautiful to say to a person that lost their parent, instead of just remembering how they died.
I agree with some of the things you said of course.
They changed too much fundamental things for it to be satisfying for longtime fans. I can see why new fans would enjoy it though. Love your videos ❤
Edit: Also two of your main points contradict each other. You can’t make a completely remixed cake, clearly for new fans rather than established fans because of how much fundamental stuff they’ve changed, and rely on nostalgia as an excuse to not do character development. A. Because all of the new fans you made this for don’t have that established weight of fandom. B. Just because I know what animated Aang is thinking, what he would do and what his motivations are, doesn’t mean I know what Netflix Aang is thinking, what he would do and what his motivations are; because they are two completely different characters.
That comment is a really good summary of how I felt, just left unsatisfied.
Nothing wrong in trying to take a darker approach, but what was the need to take Katara's angry personality (even though she's a teen having to deal with the mother role) and removing Aang's conscious decision in running away ?
Those ARE things you expect in seeing from kids dealing with issues beyond their control. Plus, having Aang consciously running away would have gone more in line with Bumi's darker mindset in the show. Some elements from the OG would have worked just as fine in the live action too. Maybe would have been more developed here like they couldn't in the OG.
@@JabamiLain Yeah I agree, it almost felt like they changed some things just to try to make it different but if they had left them it would have helped make the changes they did make even stronger.
A big thing Aang struggles with in this show is the guilt for having disappeared for a hundred years, but he didn't actually run away like he did in the OG and if he had that guilt would have been easier to connect with as the audience.
What I say it's the worst show? No, not really, but honestly there were times when I watched it and I was like "even the movie did things better" and that is saying something, it seems like they were trying to be too Game of Thrones-like, and that's kind of what threw me off because well yes I do love the Song Of Ice And Fire series, I really don't like when other shows try to emulate the dark and gritty fantasy trope, especially when said shows weren't made to be that way originally, but that's just me.
Yes, I feel like they were trying to make the show more adult, but I think they ended up going too far
@@drewfrazee4200 exactly I understand making it more for an adult audience, because the audience is of the original show grew up, most of us are grown now, why is color in Beauty only limited to kids why can't we have a more complex plot for Avatar The Last Airbender, but not make it dark gritty?
@@sindelscat9336 the original show did such a good job of that and I think what many fans felt lacking was that sense of childlike wonder combined with the underlying sub-tones of a dark and gritty setting (literally a world racked with a 100 year war).
@@drewfrazee4200 yeah they're definitely were themes in the original show, that was pretty dark but it never went to the same extent as what they were trying to do in the live-action, and it still had meaning behind the darkness in the og show, in this show it just feels pointless
The argument being that ATLA characters felt so real and their bonds so impactful because of filler is short sighted in my opinion. Just look at other shows that get this right in just a few episodes. Like Hazbin Hotel in 8. The netflix adaptation fails in writing believable dialogs and character moments. And this is important if you have lesser day on day conversations. But there are shows that do it flawlessly in shorter time, while in NATLA you feel you don't know these people when the finale hits.
And the few moments you feel something in your chest is when they borrow music from one of the most beloved episodes and play it in the background. Sure its effective but nothing you can praise them for.
I get that its supposed to be another cake. But for me this one tastes really really really bad. And the ingredients were so damn good. How could you mess this up? ...
Thank you for making this video! I watched the avatar live action expecting to hate it, but then I actually loved it.
I am glad that people enjoy the live action version. The cast and crew all seem really passionate, and I think they created something that they are proud of. That said, I still think there is really no need for this show to have been made. None of the changes (so far) have been so amazing that I was really happy that I watched. Zuko's crew is my favorite change, but it's not enough for me yet. I know I'll watch books 2 and 3 when they come out though, so maybe I'll change my mind
Most likely not, “this doesnt need to be made” isnt a critique on quality. So why would season 2 & 3 change your mind if it doesnt need to exist? Nothing NEEDS to be made.
i liked the show and i like your comments. and the leaves from the vines scene was my favorite I love how they added that seen it was so emotional and beautiful
If they wanted to do like a “remix” I think they should have done the show from Zuko’s perspective. It would have been so interesting to see the stories and events that happened outside of Aang’s story. That way whenever Zuko collided with the Gaang it would feel fresh and new cause we’d be viewing these battles from a different angle. Plus I think for this generation (and mature audience the show wants to cater to) there would be a lot nuance exploring the perspective of becoming disillusioned from a false history you’ve been taught, overcoming childhood abuse, and of course redemption and rebellion. I feel like it’d give the fans everything they want to see and fit with the condensed run time the show has to work with. Zuko alone is one of the best episodes in the entire series, so I feel like this would really work
I absolutely love this idea, this would’ve been such a good show!!
Great, thoughtful commentary on the live action vs the original. I agree that it is fun as a new medium and remix, and I LOVED some of their additions (the notebook, the 41st Division 🥹, every scene with Zuko and Iroh, etc.). For every odd or uneven moment, there was something new that was also fun.
But we can all agree that soka not wearing the koshi warrior fit was a big sad day for the fandom I WANT TO SEE SOKKA IM THAT DRESS IM LIVE ACTION
My main problem was the fact it’s not ATLA, these aren’t the same characters (their struggles, interactions, and beliefs are often completely different), this isn’t the same power structure (there are full thesis videos deep diving on the differences but the main thing is the fact ATLA has bending be a spiritual and artistic thing, this just feels like power, a physical force), and literally not the same place (the world doesn’t look the same, it looks very inspired). It’d probably be better to just to make an original story. It’s not bad (I wasn’t fond of the insane amount of exposition and repetition, but that’s a problem of a lot of shows) but it’s plain and simple not ATLA. TLOK felt like the same world in a different time period (are there major points of criticism, yes), it felt like the same power structure, and felt grounded in the prequel. I’d probably enjoy this a lot more if they didn’t try to package it as an adaptation of ATLA, it’s not, it’s an OOC fan piece and AU (that doesn’t mean it’s bad).
I know a video is gonna be good when I am laughing so hard I am crying before I am even a minute in
Excellent video!!!
One thing I want to point out, is that live action is always slower than animation... that's just how it works. The best example I can give is "Beauty and the Beast" where it is literally shot for shot, but an hour longer.
This is because animation can move blisteringly fast. Entire conversations can be had in 2 sentences... characters can turn their bodies around in a blink of an eye... move (cut) across the screen with ease... and you just can't do that in live action... it's just tough. The whiplash you would feel would be debilitating... like "Mission Impossible" style shooting, on steroids.
Take care, my friend!
glad to see your video! Although the Netflix shows clearly has its issues and a lotttt, I also agree with the fact that it has its own plus and I kinda like it for that. I feel like there is so little video acknowledge what the show does well and most act like it is almost the worst but that is just not true. Both shows stand on their own. But I also hope to see improvements in the later seasons.
My biggest problem is always going to be the early introduction of Ozai & Azula. When I first saw the animated series, I was scared of the fire lord. This made me relate to the characters (the trio) and how difficult their journey is going to be. They didn't show him till the third season but kept taking his name or telling his stories through other people. In the second season, when you see how he treated Zuko (agni kai and the banishment) you realise how cruel he is and how hell bent he is about this mission. Even during this scene they don't show us fire lord's face. This was a very big part of the show and what kept us hooked and worried about the trio.
Very similar to harry potter where people fear in taking you-know-who's name. It made Voldermort scary in the first 15 mins of the movie.
Thank you for this eloquent and important explanation
This show had 1 major problem…dialogue! The story changes, character changes, and plot changes dont matter in an adaptation. Its not supposed to be a 1:1. But the dialogue is off. It doesn't sound natural and lots of unnecessary exposition.
Overall a good 7/10 show and a very honest review😁
I agree that an exact replica of the original in live action is unnecessary (which brings me to my point of why make a live action of a perfect animated show at all) but that's why I've always been on the side of create a new story in the Avatar universe in live action instead of adapting an old one that exists.
I love the cake analogy! And yes, you did make me hungry for cake! 😂
I had low expectations of the live action site going on, so i was able to enjoy it a lot more. While i tight, the main MCs had lost a lot of their personalities and intercharacter dynamics, i lived seeing how they broadened and enrichened the side characters. I liked getting to explore this other dude of Bumi. He brought in depth emotions of how beat down, jaded, and wore out the ppl of the world are.
And the 41st soldiers story... it's a side story i didn't know i needed.
8:19 the background image there is so appropriate 😂
The problem with the show for me is not how much they changed but that they want it both ways too much. They want to be seen as a separate piece of media but then also assume that you know certain parts already as they don't show or tell them but do imply later that this was shown or told.
I dont hate the changes but the exposition was so sloppy that they couldn't actually convey what flavour cake it was supposed to be. Sprinting through the plot and leaving out all points of levity so we dont even have time to bond to the characters we're supposed to be invested in. Dunno, just thought the show was a mess.
Bravo! It's refreshing to see a balanced take finally!
All that cake talk made me think Mikaila cooking channel spin-off?? Great video! Really well presented commentary Mikaila! Thanks for sharing your point of view!
I do agree with the fandom thing. I read harry potter first then percy jackson, and I just feel so much more connected to percy jackson then harry potter, and I feel like I love the PJO characters more, they feel more real and appealing to me then harry potter, despite them both being fictional. I feel like it's because I had access to the media while I read percy jackson, and I wasn't when reading harry potter. I got to see fan art, and headcanons, and just everything that made it come to life for me. The fandom is really powerful.
And also, the live action is VERYYYYY emotional. I don't think I ever cried during the animated episodes, but the live action... I was cosplaying as a waterfall during every single Zuko flashback. Every. Single. One.
I love your perspective. Thank you!!
That shot of Ginny when you said "lets butcher characters for fun!" was savage XD
but also very true. She was on par with Wendy Corduroy in the books and what did we get?
"oPeN uP yOu"
I love your take on this! ❤ Although there are things to critique, this show did a great job in both honoring the source materieal and creating s.th. new and I think that's what's important when doing an adaptation.
exchanging strawberry with raspberry, dark chocolate with a mix of dark and milk chocolate and switching the order of layers of the cake while keeping the same special secret ingredients and maybe even adding an extra one that slightly changes the flavor profile in an interesting way is good but if you use 80% of the same ingredients with the difference that you buy them in lower quality, scratch 90% of the secret special ingredients for more basic stuff like sugar because idk we like things to taste more straight forward(?), replace the baker with a middle schooler and still try to make the cake taste and look similar then id argue customers will say "ok but why didnt u just keep the great stuff and focused on adding more cool stuff/ improving on whats there and making small adjustments so u can properly sell it as its own thing?"
I actually disagree when people Say "You can't put the entire season into 8 episodes", every episode is aroun 1 hour, 3 episodes from the animated series, 3×8 =24, it could have been a 1:1 thingi u,u
Couple of years ago, when I was watching Shadowhunters, I decided that I would treat adaptations as a high quality fanfiction, and not stress about changes too much.
With all the special effects that are available nowadays, I don't understand the argument that live action can't do the same things a cartoon can do. Other shows have been able to do it. Some might argue it's because of a lack of budget, but I think it's because of a lack of creativity.
The Netflix avatar the last airbender show I thought was a good show not perfect I had my issues with but i thought it was pretty good and definitely makes up for the disaster that was the movie
The boulder had conflicted feelings watching the adaptation but overcome them thx to your video
I didn't have the heart to watch further after episode 1. I loved the visuals, but they took away the light-heartedness of the show, which was the real charm of the avatar. I don't care about the story changes because I loved percy jackson show, but with avatar, it feels like they took the essence of it. It was just sad to watch.
I see your point. I might finish the live action one now. I've been holding a big grudge especially over Boomie. I dont think I'll ever really like the live action one, but i can now appreciate it a bit better.