#out of context natla spoilers

[smilindesperado]

[rewatch-review-react]

NATLA Episode 1 Review

So far this adaptation is Interesting to say the least. Many good points, nitpicks and dislikes I have, but for a Live Action TV adaptation, it isn’t completely horrible. And I will say it is much better than the movie. I have to say over all this was a fun watch. 

The show looks nice, as in going from animation designs to live action designs wasn’t an eye sore. But the bending! I Love the bending! There’s so much of it! The elements look more natural in their movement. As for the bending moves themselves, I need to see more to assess that aspect better. 

In-depth spoilers below.

It was interesting where we started the story. It feels like things are being laid out in the beginning in a way that new comers can quickly understand, so it will be interesting on they go about building up mystery, suspense and payoffs as they did in the animation. 

I really did enjoy the time with the Air Nomads. Loved all the Sky Bison in the sky and it gave me a bitter sweet feeling, since as far as I remember we didn’t have very many scenes with the Air Nomads pre war. Also, the fact that the comet was celebrated before it was used by Sozin is an interesting additional lore. Along with the re-contextualization of Gyatso’s death. I got the feeling from the animation that Gyatso died protecting others, but him dying to protect the children adds another layer that I am grateful to have. Also also, seeing how the Fire Nation made it to the air temples when they didn’t have the use of blimps was insightful. The power of the comet allowing all fire benders the ability to propel themselves into the air with their bending makes sense. 

Other changes I enjoyed was the one on one challenge Sokka gave in which Zuko accepted. Right away Sokka reassessed the situation, got a good read on Zuko and got Zuko to do what he wanted in order to protect the village like he’s supposed to. Just sucks it didn’t go his way, but Sokka’s plan that was made up on the spot was a good one. 

Iroh and his Jasmine tea. Loved how the man loves his tea and wants everyone else to know how good it is and why it’s his favorite. 

On to the other side of this review. 

I feel like the dialogue and acting is stunted. It doesn’t flow well and feels like lines are just being delivered. There isn’t much chemistry between the characters, everyone is doing their own thing and not much of playing off of each other is happening as well. 

Some choice changes are also interesting in put it nicely. Aang leaving the Southern Air Temple for some air at night instead of initially running away when he was told he was the Avatar. Miss the scene between Gyatso and Aang when Gyatso tries to tell Aang he isn’t going to let the other leaders of their temple take him away. 

The scene of Aang’s anger also felt disappointing to me, but the way they went about it makes sense. There hasn’t been much bonding between Aang and Katara as of yet that we’ve seen so having her be the one to bring him out of the Avatar State wouldn’t have made much sense. Having his memories of Gyatso does go well with the narrative that has been told so far, but felt off cause of how the context of the original scene played out. Yes Gyatso has strong feelings towards Aang having to start his Avatar training early but we didn’t get to really feel that kind of emotion from him, which goes back to the stunted acting and line delivery I mentioned earlier. 

Iroh’s characterization is interesting. He’s not a jolly as I expected him to be. I like his dialogue and word choices in how he keeps a fine balance between saying what needs to be said without over stepping or being to overt about his opinions. It shows he really knows what’s going on while being unable to talk or tell anyone about it, leaving him to keep up appearances on his loyalties. 

In general this adaptation is a mixed bag for me. It has its good points, and not so good points. It has changes I liked they did and changes I wish they didn’t, but as an adaptation in a different medium of story telling it’s not bad. Overall I did enjoy the episode for what it is and it left me nicely established in my expectations of it moving forward. 

NATLA Master Post | NATLA Episode 1 Reaction