Netflix's AVATAR: What They Got RIGHT | REVIEW

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Netflix's adaptation of Avatar the Last Airbender came out last week and now we've gotta talk about it! How did the changes work for us, and what worked visually, narratively... join Jessica Clemons, Tom Michelsen, John Costa and Evan as they discuss.
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Host: Jessica Clemons
Host: Tom Michelsen
Host: John Costa
Host/Producer: Evan Yee
Studio Technician: Dashiell Hamingson
Editor: Brian M Kim
Head of Production: John Costa
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00:00 - Preview
00:35 - Avatar Live Action Review!
02:29 - How's the writing?
16:29 - How About the Acting?
34:36 - Visuals got that Netflix flair
45:51 - Closing Thoughts
47:21 - Twitch Chat Questions
#thebreakroom #newrockstars #atla

[@rpgenius3968]

I say do the Ember Island episode and have the cast of the Shamalan LA movie reprise their roles 😂

[@rikcoflores5588]

I just finished the whole thing I absolutely loved watching it! It reminded me of when I first saw it animated on Nickelodeon 😊

[@claudegrenier3180]

I love it because it's quite surprising how they were able to maneuver a couple of key points in an inventive way to make it all combine together while still maintaining the essentials of the characters developments. I really liked it. They clearly did their best within the restraints they had to deal with. They have MAD respect for the original work and it shows. And I luv a lot of the added details. The 41st being the regiment under Zuko comes to mind ^^. I recommend watching it.

[@BotBehavior]

Aang was not flying. He was floating from one thing to the next. He does this in the show a lot. I repeat he was not flying.

[@blackmarvel6578]

I wish they left Katara's training arc alone, only in regards to Master Pakku accepting her as a student after finding out who her grandmother was. It made great world building.

[@busbypre]

Though I was okay with Master Pakku not having any relation to Katara’s grandmother, I do really wish they gave some type of training ark in the North. They gave her the master status way too quick for my taste. Hopefully with them getting a season 2 and 3 they start off season 2 showing Katara and Aang having some formal training in the North.

[@blackmarvel6578]

Jessica's face during the BlueChew ad was priceless 😂

[@blackmarvel6578]

I need them to contrast Iroh, past and present. He hasnt always been this jolly guy, after all he was a feared general back in his day. I want them to show how brutal he was as a leader before losing his son and losing Ba Sing Se.

[@taylormessina18]

June is in more than one episode Evan

[@StillOnTrack]

Season 1 cartoon Zuko CALM? never! HE DOESN'T NEED ANY CALMING TEA!

[@rayromero6795]

I like to think that, if we get a season 2, all these kid actors will age into these roles by the time we get season 2. What we got is just.

[@ikeapedia]

We do forget that Aang was an Air Bending Master. Tatts and all

[@busbypre]

Zuko being calm and calculated?? Are we talking about the same Zuko?

[@khalildavisionary]

Literally 😂😂😂at this point just pick at anything & not be satisfied

[@josefig842]

Right. In the original, Zuko wasn’t calm, he was irrational and reactive. While Azula was calm and calculated

[@busbypre]

@@josefig842 Exactly! I’m happy Evan chimed in and said that some of the fans applying character traits that the characters had at the end of the series to the traits that they had at the beginning of the series… Well he said something along those lines. I personally feel like a lot of people are comparing the “series” of Avatar to this one season of Avatar, and I think that’s unfair.

[@Jazz41173]

Judging from those gym pics. JK Simmons as Bumi.

[@rantalmore]

It was pretty solid overall. Bad writing , inconsistent directing. Decent acting in the main cast. Spectacular set design, costume and effects for the most part. Kyoshi was badass. Aang was adorable but a tad underdeveloped. Sokka was relatively perfect. Katara was a bit Mary sued but was still very faithful. Roku was done a bit dirty Iroh and Zuko were perfection

[@langstontaylor691]

I’ve been saying they did Roku a lil dirty nobody be agreeing!!

[@rantalmore]

@@langstontaylor691 yea Roku is my fav so it sucks but hopefully he shines in season 2

[@jdixon1922]

I feel like no matter what you do…people always complain about adaptation. If you change things people complain if you don’t change so much people complain…

[@JustMikeNow]

People that complain will literally complain even if the show was line for line and scene by scene as the cartoon. Nostalgia is a very difficult drug to replicate

[@AlecBaldwinsTriggerFinger]

Sokka actor was fantastic and Iroh grew on me at the end. Not sure what "calm and calculated" Zuko this guy in the Variant shirt was talking about. Zukos whole character season 1 is passion and being stubborn

[@IsiahBradley]

YAY!!! THANKS for the positivity!!!!

[@khalildavisionary]

I honestly feel like everybody in this live action version did pretty well, way better than the 2010 movie; & I’m pretty sure everybody was recently binge watching the original animated series so they wouldn’t feel out of place when it came out. It’s sad that we probably won’t be getting the “ best material” only because the fan base is so nitpicky.

[@BlyatBlaster]

12:48 it’s not the same music though. Yeah, they referenced themes from the animated series that we all recognized, most obviously “Leaves from the Vine,” but it was very much a new score. Which is exactly what we should have wanted. New music that still is recognizable as “Avatar.”

[@LooksByNaheemah]

I’d give it a 6.5/10. It’s ridiculous that the AVATAR only bended air the whole season and not a single water lesson or attempt. They really missed the mark with the character development of Katara and the whole Team Avatar dynamic. I also think they introduced Azula and her gang WAY too soon and that casting seems ridiculous.

[@allysontl3401]

My favorite character/actor in this was Sokka. He felt just like the original series, and the actor made some great choices with expressions, etc. I was happy with all of the characters. I would have liked if Iroh was more laidback and reflective, but I think I just have a high expectation for Iroh that is hard to pull off.

[@LooksByNaheemah]

Love Jess and I think this show would really improve with more female perspectives in 1 episode. Like why is it always only 1 woman on the panel? I also don’t think anyone should be shamed into a different opinion on a fictional tv show. Like it’s okay to call out bad writing and casting because it didn’t work

[@cuckstarjo]

I honestly rlly enjoyed it and i think it would be difficult for anyone to adapt the show exactly how the cartoon is into an 8 episode show. I liked azula being more into the show and how they mixed a lot of the storylines together especially jett and the whole omashu episode

[@nkrose8177]

I don’t think aang is flying so much as bursting up in the air and floating down. He wasn’t seen once going anywhere long distance without his glider or appa

[@claudegrenier3180]

The part about Aang not learning waterbending................. ITS THE AANG IM AFRAID TO FIREBEND ARC!!!! Instead of having a weakly written trauma about Aang burning Katara (she was healed like 5 minutes after. CMON) They made that Aang has a trauma about WATERBENDING because he waterbended like for 5 seconds and lost 100 years!!!! NOW THATS TRAUMATIC. Also... he almost drowned. So there's that.

[@Fuar11]

He's not really avoiding waterbending though. He's eager to learn it he just wanted to find a master bc unlike the original Katara wasn't good at waterbending when they first met. She only got master status at the end, he was hoping that Pakku would teach him. I don't think he expressed a fear of learning waterbending as a reason to not do it.

[@ThatF_ckingguy]

That feels like you doing work for the show it never conveyed that. He just doesn’t try water bending AT ALL and the writers mention it at the end as an after thought. If they don’t show Aang working overtime next season then they’ve really hurt the character and fundamental pacing of the story it’s clear why the OG creators left the project….

[@claudegrenier3180]

@@ThatF_ckingguy Not true. I think it very much conveyed in a subtle way. But i guess we'll see next season...

[@KT-88_]

Can we please have a video of Jessica learning how to throw a boomerang? 😅😂

[@vickylikesthis]

Did he say zuko is calm and calculated??? And the whole point of azula is calmer in the beginning is the whole point of her s1 arc

[@eliechaya9690]

Love from Belgium 🇧🇪 ❤

[@aryiaquinn]

I love these videos. It makes me feel like I have friends.

[@nkrose8177]

They should have done 10 episodes to make the show breathe

[@robertmercadoworld]

Love this video!🎉

[@tacmasi6718]

Dude in the grey button up looks like Rucci

[@StraightUpKrazy_]

Hope you guys cover Shogun as well

[@cccantv6457]

Everyone's talking points are so generic and safe so far.

[@LiamThorpe]

You gonna film that boomerang session?

[@PunchSuccaa]

Sokka being a sexist in the girl power episode was sokkas first big piece of character development. He was confident in a sexist opinion, humilited then humbled apologizes and asks if she could train him to fight like her. The way it was in live action had him an awkward coward the whole time

[@bluevasediva7599]

Honestly season 1 was almost perfect. I loved this adaptation and even the cgi was great. A couple of spots looked video game but overall I can’t wait for season 2

[@allysontl3401]

It was a weird mash up of the different episodes, but I liked it!! The pieces were accurate enough to quench my nostalgia.

[@Nate-616]

This was a fun live action series of Avatar the Last Airbender!!! While some parts were blended together, other parts highlighted, some parts not included. This is a fun live action series, it really allowed us to see Avatar the Last Airbender in a new perspective, highlighting portions of the heart of Avatar The Last Airbender that wasn’t gone into depth in the animated series.

[@connectthecoast]

Not Jess with the Boomy slander ☠️🤣😩

[@StillOnTrack]

I loved that they gave Gran Gran the opening monologue. It feels right as the village elder reciting it and then saying you all know this story. And I'm SICK of people saying her delivery wasn't good because her delivery was in her own native cadence as a native elder woman.

[@Jordomac]

Jessica always learning about Tom on the air.

[@derekrivera8570]

She's so full of herself and her opinion even though she know the least. Listen before you speak

[@Jordomac]

@derekrivera8570 I just think it's funny. I'm not cosigning on any negativity

[@prettycyber8332]

THere you are Jess!!! (lost boy vocie)

[@mauriceellison9455]

been away so finally got to watch this but curious if yall will talk about Halo???

[@peepingsue]

I thought the production design, costumes was awesome (except for yue’s wig). action is magnificent and so fun to watch; they did a really good job of managing to convey how destructive bending can be. That being said though, I hated the most of the things they did with the writing. I hated characters don’t really learn anything, nothing about being the avatar, the mythology, bending etc. They just know everything! Avatar, the animated show and the whole story, in its essence a road story, a coming of age story where the characters change and learn along the way. I hated that they took this away from the characters. It was hard to care about them when they take the journey from them.

[@erickim3891]

hmmm that read of katara being boy crazy was lowkey really bad...the only story line from my recollection where shes "boy crazy" was with jet. theres SO MUCH more to her character than that

[@skoonimadooner464]

Fuck that, Paul is the man and he did great. the worst casting was Azula. she looks about as menacing as baby bunny. For the most part, they did great.

[@JoeBoKnows]

J.k. Simmons could play boomie. He ripped AF

[@parkstar7113]

Thank you for pointing out the ridiculousness of Yue's wig! Lol It legit pissed me off! With all the money thrown into a show like this how is it even feasible to put that purplish gray old lady wig on her! I mean just call HBO and borrow(or even rent) an old extra Daenerys wig! 7 hells! You have options! Lol rant over.😂😂

[@ecnalreleam]

Paul didn't just watch the first season and try to be like Mako. Paul was a fan of the show before getting the role. He's a major nerd like all of us.

[@swiftdog49er51]

This show is so awesome, I can't wait till next season!!

[@ThatF_ckingguy]

Loved it like I love starwars. The world got like I’m showing up no matter what BUT that doesn’t stop me from having criticisms in each installment and this to me has come to define the middle of all things ATLA it’s not awful like the movie nor is it near perfection like the OG animated series. I rank it closer to Legend of Korra both have ups and downs put ultimately I just love the IP too much to not at least enjoy some of what’s going on here so it’s like a passing grade for me a solid C hoping they can step it up next season

[@SilverDustbj]

Totally disagree on the music. If they changed the music to "Leaves from the Vines" it wouldn't be as meaningful to see Iroh go through pain. 🤷🏾‍♂️🤷🏾‍♂️🤷🏾‍♂️

[@StillOnTrack]

Pengui sledding would have just been animal abuse in live action.

[@mattercolini7451]

Idk I feel like everyone who yelled at aang was justified in doing so 😂

[@giu442]

Bloonding bend 😂

[@nfenestrate]

Jessica not knowing a boomerang is real.. 😵

[@josefig842]

One piece is a good comparison. I wish avatar had the same level of color and fun that one piece had. I hope s2 adds fun to the show

[@krisztianunpronounceable]

Holy shit, Brian! That was fast! FLESHY!

[@matthewlyseight9022]

Moon girl live action !!!

[@mwatson7474]

I only watch a vouple of episodes of the animated version. So as a new viewer i found this enjoyable.

[@SCTVTulsa]

I truly loved it as much as the original. It is different but I was still very impressed how they told me a familiar story a different way. The cast was precious. I hope we get to see them grow.

[@lombax316]

Are we ever gonna get one of these for One Piece? Before Avatar, Netflix got that adaptation right.

[@kingjames6948]

Sounds like yall need to rewatch the animated show plus zuko is 16 in the show. Also Katara didn't like everyone she came across the only one she liked was Jet people just take it that way as her liking The guys when literally all she does is help them and be nice people shipped her with who they wanted. Sokka character arc is about what it means to be a man and a good leader he did have to get rid of his sexism in order to become a good leader of a team that was half girls. But i think its ok without it in the live action but it does stilt sokka's personality just a little.

[@stefangudmundsson2037]

the acting was pretty good

[@stefangudmundsson2037]

Variant, you are deactivated.😁

[@tfoxx17]

😸😸

[@stefangudmundsson2037]

Supurb show, every part of it.

[@jordandriver2622]

John Costa being negative big surprise

[@kangadilla9872]

I loved ATLA, but this new Live Action show just wasn't it. I wanted to love it, but it really doesnt hit the emotional beats the way the original did. Visuals may be good at points, but it felt like a CW show with an ATLA"ish" plot. More bad than good. It wasn't terrible, but it was very underwhelming and was the definition of "meh"

[@user-ks8jt8xw1k]

🔥🪨🌪️🌊

[@josefig842]

Also…Wan Shi Tong showing up!?!? They just seemed to not understand the characters and the dynamics. They just crammed it all in and thought it would hit…,but it didnt

[@JLuces]

The way they talk about it I feel I watch a completely different show

[@Routineflex]

Let's be real and not tongue people's assholes the live action show was trash!!! Bad acting,bad writing it's people saying their fans of the animated show for a job plain and simple also the creators of the animated show left because they didn't like that netflix was gunna change some of the character arcs they talk about it on the braving the elements podcast

[@christianrapper5]

I loved the live action show.

[@pandamystery5990]

dont be shy talk about percy jackson moreeeeee

[@NebulasLife]

I clicked on this video to say I watched Jessica’s review of Netflix’s’ Avatar and it seemed like she hadn’t seen the original or the Netflix version. She actually called lightning bending ⚡️blue flame or some bs. Are you fucking kidding, I think she also said Azula is the only person who can blue flame bend 😢😢😂😂😂😂😂 NEXT

[@derekrivera8570]

She needs to learn more and speak with respect

[@darthekul1]

U know azula shoots blue flame and is like.the only charachter in the series to do so ??? Do u not remember any scene shes in or the literal end of the show where azusa and zuko fight in basically silence ? But yeah the other guy saying a black woman should shut up and learn respect totally doesn't have any underlying problems lol he's got like three comments and they're all attacking her

[@AlecBaldwinsTriggerFinger]

The show wasnt perfect, but it had so much going for it and i really enjoyed it. Id defintiely die on the hill that it showed so much potential that ill be pissed should this online hate train cost us a season 2. All because whiny ass youtubers couldnt stop complaining that sokka doesnt say sexist shit Side note: Suki is bae

[@josefig842]

The writing and acting were horrendous in my opinion. The show felt hollow - like they they removed the character development and more silly traits from the characters but they wanted us to have this emotional reaction. It just didn’t connect.

[@OzTheGuy8224]

The original creators of the cartoon had to walk away from the show because they weren’t listening to them so I think you can tell that there's not as much love in the making of this show as there could have been. I would love if they brought the original creators back for the second season and gave them complete creative control like they did with the creator of One Piece. But that Japanese man was probably more distrusting of these Netflix Americans and rightfully so.

[@derekrivera8570]

Can we agree jessica only thinks about herself and her opinion. How insensitive is it that she doesn't know her coworkers maiden name.

[@amandadeloff4278]

That has not been my experience with Jess. Smart, thoughtful and respects her coworkers opinions. Not knowing a maiden name is so specific. How many women talk about their og last name with coworkers?

[@cccantv6457]

you a hater.

[@derekrivera8570]

@cccantv6457 you can't have a normal conversation