#dallas liu icons

[ecnmatic]

AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER (2024) Masks - 1x6 dir. Roseanne Liang.

[favorite-characters]

𝔸𝕧𝕒𝕥𝕒𝕣: 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕃𝕒𝕤𝕥 𝔸𝕚𝕣𝕓𝕖𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕣

Dallas Liu as ᴢᴜᴋᴏ (S01.E01-08 • 2024)

[farhanblanco]

[whosaysyourmom]

Zukka, but make it Tui and La

[leafsfromthevine]

my favorite bromance ever, actually (x)

[old-people-like-avatar]

Netflix Avatar the Last Airbender S1 - Overall Thoughts [SPOILERS]

I am a longtime fan of Avatar the Last Airbender. I did not watch it in its original 2005 run, but I discovered it in around 2010 after my good friend R.S. recommended it to me. It's been my #1 favorite TV show ever since and I have rewatched it more times than I can count. I was cautiously optimistic about NATLA.

Now, having watched the whole first season of NATLA, and looking at the season as a whole, I think the best word to describe it is uneven. I can't say that I loved it, and I can't say that I hated it. But there were things I really liked about it and things that really did not work for me. Overall, I enjoyed watching it -- if only to dissect what did and did not work about the adaptation -- and would want to watch more.

WHAT WORKED

Everything to do with Zuko and Iroh. I found myself going back through just to rewatch all of the Zuko and Iroh-related scenes. I thought Dallas Liu really nailed Zuko -- from tantrums about his journal being stolen to incredible action sequences to the boyish vulnerability of worrying about the laces on his gauntlets. He took an iconic character and made him his own. NATLA added some incredible scenes and lines to my favorite duo: Lu Ten's funeral (coupled with orchestral version of "Leaves from the Vine"); Zuko's first war council; Iroh choosing to go with Zuko on the boat; the 41st Division; Iroh putting a blanket on Zuko. And I liked that NATLA emphasized that Iroh needed Zuko in the wake of Lu Ten's death as much as Zuko needed Iroh after his mother left.

Daniel Dae Kim's interpretation of Ozai. Ozai in ATLA is kind of one-dimensional. Daniel Dae Kim's Ozai adds a deeper layer to him in that he genuinely seems to think he's doing legitimate parenting -- even going so far as to visit Zuko after burning his face and remarking, glibly, that he'll recover ("but he'll never heal," says Iroh). It adds an even more monstrous angle to his cruelty because Kim's Ozai seems to think he's doing it for his children's own good. This post perfectly encapsulates my feelings about why I thought the agni kai between Ozai and Zuko was an excellent addition to NATLA.

Zuko/Aang. These two bonding over goat hair brushes was the scene I never knew I needed. The way Aang managed to wrest a little smile out of Zuko in that scene before Zuko blew up at him for criticizing the Fire Lord? And the way that tied into the "Compassion is a sign of weakness" scene from the agni kai? Great character work.

WHAT DID NOT WORK

Dialogue. I already observed at length my dissatisfaction with the clunky, exposition-dumping dialogue in my episode-by-episode writeups. It certainly wasn't as bad as the Movie-That-Shall-Not-Be-Named, but . . . there was no art or subtlety to it, and no trust in the audience. A disappointment.

The GAang did not feel like family. The lack of breathing room in the 8-episode season meant that all of the "filler" episodes that fleshed out the relationships between Aang, Katara, and Sokka were sacrificed. I am not saying NATLA needed to recapture each of the filler episodes. But they needed to build the foundational bonds between the main trio with showing not telling and they really didn't. They separated them for big chunks of 2 episodes. And, really, they just felt like traveling companions. That took all of the emotional heft out of, well, everything related to Aang, Katara, and Sokka. I mean, frankly, the kid actors did a better job establishing the "family" dynamic just by being themselves in their press interviews than the show did with the characters.

Aang did not run away from responsibility. I am not one of those people that's just mad that the show wasn't exactly like the cartoon. No. What I mean is, even putting aside the cartoon, even if you just look at NATLA itself: their own themes were undercut by never showing Aang actually running away from responsibility. Each avatar seemed to be berating Aang for doing something he was never actually shown to be doing.

Katara. I really don't think this one is on the actress. Katara felt like a fundamentally different character from ATLA's Katara. It's not to say an adaption is not allowed to have their own interpretation of a character, but... I just did not understand NATLA Katara. There was no passion, no rage, no overbearing nurturing. She was... I don't know what she was. Traumatized, yes, but nothing grew out of that trauma? Meek, until the plot demanded that she suddenly become a waterbending master without any guidance other than a waterbending scroll? The "younger sister"? More than any of the main characters, I'm not sure what NATLA was trying to say about Katara at all. And, as a result, I'm afraid the word to describe it might be uninteresting. And given that she is the heart and soul of Team Avatar, this one was really tough.

Despite the fact that a lot of NATLA did not work for me, I still enjoyed it because the things that did work for me, well, really worked. So. I'm here for all of the Zuko/Iroh scenes!

[burst-of-iridescent]

atla live action thoughts: season one review

first things first: anyone who says the Movie That Does Not Exist is better than the live action is straight-up lying. the shymalan film fails on the criteria of even being a decent movie, let alone an adaptation. the netflix series, for all its problems, is at least an enjoyable watch with great effects, music and (mostly) appropriate casting. there's absolutely nothing to compare here - the netflix version clears easily.

now that we've gotten that out of the way, let's delve into the series, starting with the positives.

the good:

visuals and cinematography. they really did a great job of making it feel like a fantasy universe you wanted to be in & i love how vibrant the saturation and colour grading was. it made the world feel so much more dynamic and alive instead of the same flat, boring dullness that so many movies and shows have these days. sometimes i didn't even mind that i was being fed obvious exposition because at least they were giving me something pretty to look at lmao

effects and action. the bending was surprisingly good for the most part, and they did a good job of making the elements feel unique through the stunt choreography and the actors' movements. i'm immensely thankful they didn't try to skimp on budget by merely cutting away from fight scenes or showing us as little as possible. almost all the action sequences were fast-paced and engaging, and i was never bored watching them

acting. the main four were all great, but gordon cormier and dallas liu have to be the standouts for me. gordon brings such an earnest, innocent sweetness to aang that you can't help but like him, and dallas plays all of zuko's facets perfectly: the angst, the explosive anger, the bratty snark, and especially the deep-rooted pain that characterizes so many of zuko's actions in book 1. the range he has, especially when flashing from younger to older zuko, was insane. special shoutout to maria zhang and sebastian amoruso as suki and jet respectively, because they killed it

music. leaves from the vine instrumental had me tearbending and i love how they kept the iconic avatar theme while making it a little darker for this iteration of the story. in general, the soundtrack felt very true to the animation while still being a fresh spin on it

zuko and iroh's relationship and expanding on zuko's crew. i think the fandom universally agrees that lu ten's funeral and zuko's crew being the 41st division were the best changes in the series, so i'm not going to talk about it further other than to say that these scenes show me what the show can be, and that's why i'm not giving up on it

the bad:

characterization. almost all the main characters are missing the little nuances that made them so great in the original, but the greatest casualty is katara. i hate that they took away so much of her rage, and gave many of her traits and struggles to sokka. i don't think this is a problem solely with the writing though, because certain lines do feel like things animated katara would say, but the directing and line delivery don't have the same punch that made her so fierce in the original. this is an easily fixed issue though, so i hope they take the criticism and let my girl be angry and fuck shit up next season

exposition. this was primarily a problem in depicting aang's personality and the relationship between the gaang, because a) why are you TELLING me that aang is mischievous and fun-loving instead of just showing me and b) the gaang do NOT feel like close friends, mostly because they spend so much time apart in every episode that they have little screentime to actually bond and develop intimacy.

lack of focus on the intricacies of bending. for a show whose tagline is "master your element" the characters spend very little time actually... mastering their element. zuko is never shown to struggle with firebending (which is going to have ramifications when it comes to developing his relationship with azula), and neither aang nor katara ever learn waterbending from a master throughout the the entire show. i'm pretty sure aang never willingly waterbends ONCE in the entire eight episodes, discounting the avatar state and koizilla. bending isn't just cool martial arts, it's closely linked to the philosophies and spirituality of each nation, and i wish that had been explored more.

pacing. they really needed to do a better job of conveying that time passed between episodes because an 8-episode season is just going to FEEL shorter than a 20-episode one. the original animation felt as though they'd truly been on a long journey before arriving at the north, but here it feels like the entire show happened in the span of a fortnight or so because each episode seemed to pick up right after the previous. they needed to have more downtime within episodes instead of just rushing from plot beat to plot beat because it made everything feel a lot more rushed. give the characters and story time to breathe.

final rating: 7/10.

overall, i would describe the live action as a better version of the percy jackson movies - not an accurate or perfect adaptation, but a decent story that's very fun to watch. but what really makes me root for this show to get a season 2 is that it has a lot of potential and more importantly, a lot of heart. it's evident that the people who worked on it do genuinely love and respect the original series, and it shows onscreen.

regardless of anything else, this show created opportunities for so many asian and indigenous actors, writers and creators to tell the kinds of stories and play the kinds of roles they don't usually get, and that's something worth supporting. if they take the criticism from this season and improve, i believe they really do have something special on their hands which - although it might not be the original we all know and love - could still be a story to be proud of.

[avatar-news]

Dante Basco will return to voice Fire Lord Zuko as an adult in the untitled animated adult Gaang movie coming to theaters on 10.10.2025!

It’s so exciting to be making a casting post for a new project so soon and who it’s for is even more exciting!

Dante Basco, the voice of young Prince Zuko in Avatar: The Last Airbender (2005-2008), is returning to voice adult Fire Lord Zuko in the upcoming untitled animated adult Gaang movie (say that 5 times fast) coming to theaters from Avatar Studios in 2025!

Dante also previously voiced Zuko’s grandson Iroh II in The Legend of Korra (2012-2014), and you may also know him from his iconic role of Rufio in the 1991 movie Hook.

Of course, we didn’t forget about the rest of the Gaang...

A global casting call for Asian & Indigenous voice actors in their 20s is going out to find the adult voices of the Gaang!

Specifically, Aang, Katara, Sokka, and Toph are currently being sought out, with Zuko already being found as we mentioned above, and Dante is officially attached to the movie.

They’re looking for Asian actors for Aang and Toph and Indigenous actors for Katara and Sokka (that’s not an exact quote, just the idea relayed to me), matching the characters’ cultural inspirations and the live-action casting process from across 2021-2022. All the roles are for the 20s age range, which matches up with our exclusive report that the Gaang would be young adults in the movie, and the exact in-universe year the movie takes place in which we’re not allowed to reveal yet.

Speaking of live action, I want to specify again that this is VOICE casting for ANIMATION, separate from the live-action casting for the live-action series. There will be a lot of characters overlapping but as far as I know right now they should be different time periods, for example Dallas Liu was cast as YOUNG Zuko in live-action while Dante Basco was cast as the voice of ADULT Zuko in animation. (Also speaking of them, did you know Dante mentored Dallas on playing Zuko?)

I can already see this getting confusing, so I thought about doing black backgrounds for voice roles or something but I decided against differentiating them too much-- at the end of the day it’s all acting and vital to the creation of the world of Avatar! I settled on putting that “voice role” label on the voice actor’s photo to hopefully avoid confusion because while Dante also visually looks like he could be Zuko, all the voice actors won’t necessarily physically look like their characters (I believe for example they just have to sound like they’re in their 20s, not strictly be in their 20s themselves). We actually already had two voice roles cast: George Takei as Koh and Randall Duk Kim as Wan Shi Tong, both voicing non-humanoid spirits in the live-action series.

Another thing I wanted to mention is that while these casting calls are specifically for the 2025 adult Gaang movie, I presume the actors will be the new voices for the characters at these ages across Avatar Studios’ whole animated universe. Specifically of relevance is the Zuko movie. Right now I have no idea what time period it’s set in, but if it’s also when Zuko and the Gaang are approx. in their 20s then it’s likely it would be the same voice cast!

But yeah, this definitely feels like deja vu. It feels like just yesterday I was posting the live-action casting calls for the young Gaang. 🥹 They grow up so fast... 😂 Jokes aside, I also want to mention ***I DON’T have insider connections for the casting process this time, so don’t ask me where/how to apply or anything like that because I don’t know.***

Today’s news comes from Avatar Studios’ closed casting process via DanielRPK, thank you for the major reveal dude!

[natlacentral]

Dallas Liu & Elizabeth Yu

On Fire Nation siblings reborn: from animation to live-action

A familiar chime resonates, followed by the words, “water, earth, fire, air”—it's the unmistakable precursor to the iconic opening of Nickelodeon's Avatar: The Last Airbender. When the beloved animated series was released, my brother and I, like countless others, eagerly awaited each new episode, immersing ourselves in the epic saga week after week. We witnessed the characters grow up alongside us, and well into our adulthood, we've revisited the series time and time again. Now, with Netflix's highly anticipated live-action adaptation set to premiere on February 22nd, it's a chance to revisit the beloved characters and stories we've cherished for years, brought to life in a new format.

Sitting side by side, Dallas Liu and Elizabeth Yu warmly greet me over Zoom the day after the premiere event in Los Angeles. With anticipation for the live-action adaptation reaching a fever pitch, Liu and Yu sit down with Timid to delve into their roles as the dynamic Fire Nation siblings, Zuko and Azula. Their excitement is palpable as they reflect on the journey of bringing these beloved characters to life and the profound impact the series has had on their lives and careers.

With my curiosity piqued, I inquire about their personal connections to the show. Without hesitation, Liu fondly discusses his childhood introduction to the series, recalling Zuko's training on the boat with Uncle Iroh as the moment he fell in love with the character. "The show has been a big inspiration to me, influencing my decision to pursue martial arts. So, it was a dream come true, getting to incorporate both acting and martial arts into a childhood series that I loved.”

Yu shares a different reflection and responds, “Avatar was my first introduction to this style of animation. So, it was really cool to see faces inspired by our own in an animated style and in a positive way.” Reflecting on their responses, it becomes clear that for both Liu and Yu, as well as countless fans, Avatar: The Last Airbender holds a special place in their hearts, serving as a source of inspiration and connection.

The deep impact of the show has cultivated a dedicated fan base, and as members themselves, Liu and Yu were beyond excited to play Zuko and Azula. Their eyes light up as they recall key moments, such as joining the cast, and express their gratitude for being part of such an iconic series. "Every single cast member, writer, producer, director, and even our transportation and craft teams deeply loved the series," Yu says, emphasizing the collective passion driving the project. Liu expands on this sentiment, saying, “It’s special! The fans will really appreciate that there's a new level to the story, which is really interesting to watch.”

Amidst the excitement, the duo acknowledges the weight of fan expectations and the responsibility of honoring the beloved characters. “I grew up with a lot of friends whose whole personality is this show, because they love it so much. They grew up with it. So, you definitely don't want to mess it up. You want to do it right,” Yu shares. Liu nods in agreement, recognizing the monumental task of filling the shoes of beloved characters like Zuko, voiced by Dante Basco in the animated series. Despite the pressure, Liu and Yu remain committed to capturing the essence of their characters authentically. Liu describes their approach as taking a “grounded route in our performance, rather than trying to impersonate cartoon characters.”

While watching the show, it became increasingly apparent that while the characters' progression retained a comforting familiarity, there were also instances where the actors infused their own unique essence into their performances. Some moments paid homage to the original, but others showcased the actors' individual interpretations, breathing fresh life into the characters.

In the animated series, Zuko emerges as a dynamic and complex character, navigating his identity as Prince of the Fire Nation while grappling with his personal journey towards redemption and self-discovery. When portraying Zuko in the live-action adaptation, Liu aimed to convey the character's depth and inner turmoil. He explains, “I wanted to make this a real-life person that has experienced real-life trauma. Someone that people could relate to.” 

One scene in particular that stood out to me while I was watching the show was when Zuko returned to his boat and was met with an unexpected welcome from his crew. In that scene, upon Zuko’s face, you could see his inner conflict come into play. Now, as I share with Liu that I got emotional during this scene, he, too, said that it was pretty emotional for him as well. Liu reflects, “In that scene, without dialogue, you can see how much it affects Zuko. You can feel it in your heart.”

For Yu, the slight retelling of Azula’s story in the adaptation provided her with the freedom to explore the nuances of her character. Azula, a formidable antagonist with a complex persona, embarks on her own journey of self-discovery. Yu explains, “I'm not even in the first season of the original series, so my whole character arc in the first season is new, which is cool to see because it adds so much more of a grounding point for the character later on.”

As Avatar: The Last Airbender unfolds, Azula’s complex relationship with her father, Lord Ozai, portrayed by Daniel Dae Kim, begins to unravel as she asserts her dominance in the Fire Nation. Yu’s portrayal delves deeper into Azula's psyche, offering viewers an enriched understanding of the character's evolution. Both Yu and Liu note the distinction between the original series, initially intended for a younger audience, and the live adaptation, which delves into the darker aspects of their characters' pasts and the realities of growing up in the Fire Nation. “We get to see the gravity of their situation,” Liu says. “Neither of our characters are truly evil. They experienced trauma that not everyone goes through.” This is especially true as you see both Zuko’s and Azula’s interaction with Lord Ozai.

A turning point arises when Azula confronts her father, showcasing her capability to follow in his footsteps. Yu describes how she prepared for that scene, saying, “As a fan of the show, I was living vicariously through all of it. We were waiting for that switch, when does she turn into Azula that we all know and love? What shifted inside of her. That scene shows that switch, and you also see what makes her different from Zuko.”

Throughout the first season, there are glimpses of the characters' motivations, shedding light on their intricate bond. Yu offers insight into their dynamic, stating, “They want the same thing at the end of the day, but the way they go about it is different because of who they are.” These motivations are evident, particularly in the characters' quest for their father’s approval and love. However, alongside this desire, there exists a palpable sibling rivalry. This dynamic even extends beyond the screen, as Liu jests about Yu, “She did a great job at being the conniving younger sibling, but as the series continues Azula is like, ‘Oh, this is my dumb older brother.’”

This banter continues as I pose a playful question to both of them, asking, “What type of bender would you consider each other as?” Their eyes met, and with a smile, Liu responds, “She wants me to say water, but when you’re talking about her ambition for Azula and their similarities, it’s fire. For example, her approach to Azula was eye opening because she really cared about the performances that we're giving rather than just stick to the original. I gained respect for her as an artist and it was super sick to see.” Yu laughs and chimes in, “I want to be a water bender so bad, but everyone keeps saying fire.”

For Liu, Yu chooses earth bending. “I feel like you’re an earth bender,” she says to an immediate response of “What makes you think I’m an earth bender?” Yu explains her reason, noting Liu's grounded approach to various aspects of life, coupled with his passion and perseverance, akin to the characteristics of an earth bender.

In the realm of storytelling, Avatar: The Last Airbender has captivated audiences around the world. Dedication permeates every aspect of the first season, from the committed production team to the powerful performances. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the world of bending, the live adaptation offers a fresh perspective while staying true to the essence of the beloved series. "It is fanmade," Yu passionately declares when asked about the message she hopes viewers will glean from the first season.

[ecnmatic]

AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER (2024) Warriors - 1x2 dir. Michael Goi.

[favorite-characters]

𝔸𝕧𝕒𝕥𝕒𝕣: 𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕃𝕒𝕤𝕥 𝔸𝕚𝕣𝕓𝕖𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕣

Dallas Liu as ᴢᴜᴋᴏ (S01.E01-08 • 2024)

[koheletgirl]

just an assortment of random thoughts i haven't yet expressed on here:

aside from the fact that idk why they felt the need to name the village, them naming the village gives the impression that it's just one village. rather then, you know, all that's left from the southern water tribe

also, it's much larger. and there are other teenagers in it.

my bf had to pause and yell for five minutes about comedic timing because of the scene with sokka and the toddlers. he was right of course but it still hurt

the joke wouldn't have landed anyway because they're not even toddlers

why does everyone take sokka seriously in this show. does his arc mean nothing to you (i know the answer is yes)

this isn't katara i'm not going to dwell on that. it's simply an entirely separate character. there's not even a point in trying to analyze this. another win for misogyny

another thing that made my partner endlessly angry was how katara simply cant waterbend in the first scene, then successfully breaks the fucking iceberg without even being angry or anything, then goes back to not being able to bend.

so many men explain bending to katara in this. im not going to dwell on it there's no point

sokka and the ideal of masculinity get along just fine. he is in fact the ideal of masculinity. not like that was a core theme of his original character or anything

something to be said at how desperately they're trying to make all the characters as likeable as they can. i could smell these 40 year old writers sweat through my screen and i didn't like it

it's also not working because they have no idea who these characters are or what made them good characters

ozai is stupid

i'm actually going to argue that every change they made here was for the worst. all of them. zuko being conscious and talking to aang? bad. the crew being the 41st division? bad. twink jee? bad.

the thing about the 41st division was that zuko didn't manage to save them. they did die. for a show that wants to be "darker" you sure missed some of the more tragic elements of the original

speaking of which, the only moments that actually made me feel something were zuko's scenes (and sometimes iroh's). dallas liu you're a legend and an icon

katara actively killed kya ok yeah sure this makes sense

the spirit world has a thing for sokka. sokka in particular. it's funny. one might even argue that it's narratively significant. you know what never mind

they're not planning ahead At All. they took some of the most essential moments from later seasons and just threw them at us in season one. the later episodes are not going to make sense. i hope they don't get to make them regardless.

why are they going back to omashu??? sure within the internal logic of the show it makes sense, but narratively, why???? you already did the secret tunnel. mai and ty lee were already introduced. what's left of season 2's omashu episode? doesn't matter i hope they don't make it

i cannot stress enough how nothing in season 2 is going to make sense. azula is already here. zuko has already had a ton of character development. even ozai himself wasn't supposed to be here. season 1's villain is zhao!!! he's the only one we see on screen, he's the only one the characters interact with!!! it's zuko and it's zhao and that's it!!!! you're not supposed to have the whole backstory!!!! you're not supposed to know the rest of them!!! that's what makes seasons 2 and 3 work!!!!! is this just going to be 3 seasons of the same characters fighting each other???

ozai's strategy doesn't work. if you send all your forces to the north who is going to attack omashu? are you implying this was made easier because omashu's army was fighting with the north? they weren't. we saw it we were there. are you implying conquering omashu would have been impossible on a different day because the nwt would have helped them? that literally make no sense, we know it wouldn't happen. all you did was cut your military in half.

i literally forgot momo was there

why is hahn nice. why. explain this to me.

stop setting up stories about the rest of the avatars. we don't care. also did bryke even give you the rights to those

it's really ambitious considering they're failing so hard at making the one season of the one show they needed to make

episode 6 was awful stop gaslighting me

i really hate lok did you guys know. it would sure be fun if they stopped using worldbuilding elements from lok

in a way this is lok. maybe in a way we're all lok

the real avatar was the friends we didn't make along the way

[azure-firecracker]

ATLA Live Action Steam of Consciousness Episode 1 (Part 2).

KATARA MY GIRL IS HERE!

Abandoned ship set is gorgeous.

Water Tribe village looks bigger. Love the set and it looks great, but there was something meaningful about it being so small in the cartoon.

Based on Katara and Sokka’s first little argument: I can leave some room for character interpretation but in this scene they feel a little off. Sokka feels a little too serious, and it’s not the lines so much as the direction. I like Katara wanting to preserve their culture (something that was less explicitly referenced in the original) but she also feels a little off though I can’t put my finger on why yet.

Having been to Antarctica they did a good job of making the SWT look like it.

Zuko intro here we go! Literally just him writing in a freaking diary but we stan.

On sexism: I do think that removing/editing Sokka’s sexism makes sense for this particular live action made sense. In the cartoon, it’s dealt with pretty quickly in a very on the nose way, which worked for that but may not go over so well in this format. A live action won’t afford the same suspension of disbelief for a character unlearning sexism in 20 minutes. With that said, I do miss Katara breaking the iceberg with feminist anger because that was iconic. I do wish she could have been angry because we need more angry female characters who are also not evil.

What is there to say about Zuko’s scar that hasn’t been said?

Okay sassy Sokka has appeared this is better. This should have shown up right away though.

When the one Water Tribe guy said “He looks dead” I was getting Princess Bride and that one scene with Miracle Max.

Holy shit Dallas Liu literally sounds like Dante Basco. And he’s so dramatic I love it!

Oh he’s focused on the throne that’s an interesting twist. Not sure how I feel about it yet, but if Zuko is power motivated that’s quite different. I do see the theme of destiny and something you’re supposed to be which is kind of adjacent to the original and ties into Azula’s character as well. If they go with that I think it has potential.

Sokka is so much taller than Aang this is hilarious.

SKY BISON (bonus: impressive CGI!)

Why is the intro getting recited lmao? This is a little cringey.

Okay if they’re doing that whole infodump on Aang does this mean we’re not getting Southern Air Temple (like the episode)?

We love cheeky soldiers!

I can’t tell if this is Kiawentiio’s acting or the direction (my money’s on the direction) but all of Katara’s lines seem kind of muted. Maybe I just have Mae Whitman’s voice in my head but I feel like the passage is kind of missing. If this keeps up I’ll write more on it later.

I feel like the whole cast could enunciate like 10% more.

I like the emphasis on growing up too fast/losing childhood, I hope they go into it more. The theme of division between nations has potential too.

IROH HAS TEA!!

I miss Zuko yelling about tea, but the emo theater kid vibes have never been stronger.

Waterbending CGI is good especially given that it’s the hardest to do probably.

More coming soon! I’ve got my eye on Katara especially. Based on what I’ve read I don’t think things will get better, but I’m hoping I get a glimmer of potential or something.

[atjsgf]

Finished the live action ATLA. Honestly? I actually really liked it, more than I thought I would, and I wasn't even particularly skeptical about it.

I liked Katara and Sokka's dynamic here actually better than I did in the cartoon. Maybe I would be more attached to Katara being parentified in the cartoon if it was ever resolved in that show, but it wasn't, so I'm fine with it being discarded and taking a different angle with her characterization and relationship with her brother.

I have no complaints about the performances given by the actors (though I do agree with the criticisms of casting light-skinned actors for Katara and Sokka, I still enjoyed the performances, though I know I'm coming from a place of being, like. White. With that--like, people with darker skin might have a harder time enjoying the performances despite that and that's valid).

However, Dallas Liu as Zuko was a highlight for me, he absolutely killed it in every single scene. Easily my favorite casting choice in the whole show.

I also really liked bringing in Azula earlier and not making her just like a demon child who enjoys being evil. The golden child-scapegoat dynamic between Azula and Zuko even as they've been separated for years is interesting and I liked it. (In particular I never liked how Azula in the audience of Zuko being scarred just smirks, so I like how in the LA she clearly has more mixed emotions about it. To me she looks morbidly fascinated and afraid at the same time, which feels right to me.)

I thought the show did a good job of covering the most iconic s1 episodes within their limited time frame by tying them into a connected plotline with each other within Omashu. Also I know the secret tunnel ep was s2 not s1 but I think it worked for this plotline, and I liked that it centered on Katara and Sokka's sibling bond instead of a forced k/ataang moment. (I don't care for that ship but Aang antis do not think I am one of you!)

As for the Sokka no longer being sexist thing: I don't know why we're pretending "Sokka being sexist in episode one, meeting a woman who fights good three episodes later and immediately changing him mind and being normal for the rest of the series" is like some huge plot point that Sokka's character falls apart without. The live action is only eight episodes long, it can't cover everything and I'm fine with it looking at that non-arc and going "yeah, that's not fundamentally necessary." He still felt recognizably like Sokka to me.

(Also others have pointed out that misogyny is cultural and we don't really see much if any sexism in the SWT aside from Sokka, certainly not to the level that Sokka exhibits in ep1, so it's kind of an odd trait for him to have to begin with. Like he just decided independently that women aren't as capable as men? Bruh.)

But yeah, I actually really enjoyed it and I hope we get a second and hopefully third season.

[timtimtara]

Finished my first watch of the live action Avatar The Last Airbender series. I'm definitely going to be watching this a few times.

Initial thoughts after the season 1 finale is that I'm impressed by the level of love shown to the original series. The changes they made to the story for it to translate to 8 live action episodes weren't that bad. I tried to stay away from all the fan grumblings about this series so I wouldn't be looking for faults and I'm glad I did. I was able to see it without someone else's opinions clouding my judgment.

I liked that we got to see more of Azula's descent into madness. Ozai really was a horrible parent on top of being a garbage human being. I think the live action really highlighted just how horribly Azula was treated by Ozai and just how young she really is to have to deal with his mindgames. She really had absolutely zero positive support under Ozai's influence.

I enjoyed the additional focus on the past Avatars outside of Roku in this one. Kyoshi and Kuruk are such fascinating characters on their own. I look forward to seeing more of them in future seasons.

The casting on this series was really well done. The younger cast especially was delightful in their joy. They really hammered home just how overwhelmed they felt becoming child soldiers in a madman's war.

Gordon Cormier as Aang did really well depicting Aang's heartbreak and loneliness as the last of the Airbenders. Aang as a character has always been about the tragedy of being the last and how one learns to be hopeful on the face of that tragedy. His Aang really made me think about how much he struggles being the sole source of Air Nomad culture and he's 12, so there's so much he just doesnt know or experienced. I look forward to seeing how his Aang grows into his role as the Avatar.

Kiawentiio Tarbell as Katara just made me love her so much. Katara has always been one of my favorites because she's so determined and hopeful about life. I loved seeing a Katara who was just learning how to be herself, learning her powers, and just being a badass by holding her own against the forces that wanted her to be less than herself. She's gonna be amazing when she comes into her own. I can't wait to see it.

Sokka, my beloved. What can I say that isn't just me gushing about how much I love him and relate to his struggles as the elder sibling with so much responsibility on his shoulders. Sokka is the character that makes the world of Avatar so relatable. So thank you Ian Ousley for being a Sokka that showed him at his most loveable and hard headed and self doubting and annoying and absolutely the bravest warrior of the Southern Water Tribe. Ousley's Sokka is a gift, imo. He understood where Sokka's determination comes from and he did a great job depicting everything that makes Sokka who he is. Even when he's being an annoying little shit, he's just so...Sokka. I need more Sokka in my life, is all I'm saying.

Zuko. My goodness, Zuko. Dallas Liu is a phenomenal Zuko. He embodied the determination and internal conflict that is Zuko so well. And he remembered to be funny! Zuko is such a moody little teenager trying to be a strong leader and Liu did such a good job at showing all aspects of Zuko's character. And his relationship with Iroh!

Omg, Iroh, you break my heart. Paul Sun-Hyung Lee was the perfect Uncle Iroh. He was the elder statesman who'd seen too much war and had lost too much in it. I felt like you could see how much he regretted his lack of empathy for the people his nation warred against until it was too late. He's a man who has many regrets in his life and trying to guide his nephew towards being the Fire Lord the world needs is the one small thing he can do to make up for his mistakes. Also, I didn't realize hearing "Leaves from the Vine" would have me legit crying each time they played it. Well played Netflix, well played.

Which brings me to the music. Thank you for keeping the iconic background music because this series wouldn't have been what it is without those audio beats. The music of Avatar is what makes so many of the dramatic moments what they are. The Avatar theme song has always given me chills and they used it really well here.

There were only a few points that I didn't think were well dome, but in the overall story that we got told, they weren't that distracting. I'm sure I'll have some grumblings I'll share as I do rewatches.

[d-criss-news]

Julia Roberts to Receive Icon Award From Academy Museum

Julia Roberts will receive an Academy Museum Gala Icon Award from the Academy this fall. The Oscar-winning actor will receive her award at the Museum’s second annual gala on Oct. 15.

Roberts joins three previously announced honorees at the gala: Miky Lee, who will receive the Pillar Award; Tilda Swinton, who will receive the Visionary Award; and Steve McQueen, who will receive the Vantage Award. The event, sponsored by Rolex, will be co-chaired by Halle Berry, Jason Bloom, Lupita Nyong’o and Ryan Murphy.

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In addition, the Academy Museum announced the members of the 2022 gala host committee, which includes notable names such as Adrien Brody, Amanda Seyfried, Ariana DeBose, Awkwafina, Billie Lourd, Bryce Dallas Howard, Chloë Sevigny, Colman Domingo, Cynthia Erivo, Dakota Johnson, Darren Criss, Eddie Redmayne, Eiza González, Elle Fanning, Emma Roberts, George C. Wolfe, Glenn Close, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jennifer Garner, Jessica Alba, Joe Jonas, Sophie Turner, Thomas Sadoski, Jon Hamm, Jonathan Majors, Judd Apatow, Leslie Mann, Kate Hudson, Kathryn Hahn, Keke Palmer, Kid Cudi, Kirsten Dunst, Leonardo DiCaprio, Letitia Wright, Lily Collins, Lucy Liu, Natasha Lyonne, Orlando Bloom, Regina Hall, Renée Zellweger, Riley Keough, Robert Duvall, Ron Howard, Ruth Negga, Selma Blair and others.

The gala is intended to raise funds for the museum’s access, education and programming initiatives. The inaugural gala in 2021 raised more than $11 million. The event is overseen by creative director Lisa Love and artistic director Raul Àvila.