Avatar: The Last Airbender Review

So I decided to take a little time away from watching traditional anime in order to finally get around to giving Avatar: The Last Airbender a shot. Everyone you talk to who has ever seen the series seems to be completely infatuated with it and now, after having watched it, I can totally see why. Ordinarily my reviews consist of sections talking about what did not work in a series for me and a section of what I love about it. Well with this particular review, we are going to be feeling the love, because I literally do not think I have a single bad thing to say about Avatar.

At this point, getting into what the show is about almost seems pointless (unless you have been living under a rock you at least know the premise). If you need a synopsis, watch the opening sequence of any random episode and there you go. There is a nation for each of the four elements who lived in peace until fire (naturally) got greedy and attacked the other three nations. The Avatar, who can control all four elements must stop them in order to save the world. It is an awesome premise which is truly what pulled me into the series to begin with. Well, that and all of the fan boys and girls telling me how I simply NEEDED to see it. The story is fantastic and really keeps the viewer constantly wanting to find out what is going to happen next. Ill leave it at that in order to avoid any real spoilers.

Anyway, lets get into what is so great about this little Nickelodeon produced show that everyone seems to love so much. The main thing about the series, its true heart and soul that really pulls everyone into it, has to be the characters. It's a rare occurrence that one finds such a great cast of completely loveable characters in any show, animated or otherwise, at all. One of the hardest things for me while watching the show was actually picking a favorite character because quite honestly, anyone of the main characters could easily become your favorite. It simply depends on who you are and what kind of people you connect with, but there is truly someone here for everyone. For those of you wondering I eventually settled on the pair of Prince Zuko and Uncle Iroh as my favorite character. Yeah, all the characters are so good that I could not pick just one, I had to pick a pair, although Sokka gave them a run for their money.

On top of having such amazing and likeable characters, the show also sports a rather excellent voice acting cast to go along with them. Everyone just feels so right in their respective roles and as a Batman fan I can not say that I did not simply LOVE Mark Hamill as the voice of Fire Lord Ozai. Another thing that makes the series and its characters is not just the heroes, but also the villains. Ozai is purely and simply evil with an insatiable thirst for power. However, on top of that we have his daughter, Princess Azula who is just the epitome of what a horrible human being can be and watching her slip slowly into complete and total insanity throughout the course of the series is simply fantastic.

On top of its awesome draw you in story, world, and characters, Avatar also has a lot of technical things going for it as well. The animation is beautiful as well as being really very unique and original. One can clearly see that it pulls inspiration from all over the place, but because of this the final product looks really like nothing anyone has have ever seen before. Nowhere is this more prevalent then in the spectacular fight sequences that are sprinkled throughout the entire series, especially the final one with Aang and the Fire Lord, not to mention Zuko's amazing final fight against Azula. It is here that the art of the show really shines and it looks absolutely spectacular. The ways in which the characters utilize there abilities is always really cool to see as well, for example waterbenders blood-bending. It just make sense that people who could control certain elements would be able to do things like this and the show definitely touches upon this, allowing the characters to use their elemental abilities in unique ways.

However, do not think that Avatar is all serious drama, action, and fighting. It does have these things and this, as well as the characters, is what propels the story forward, but on top of all this the show has one of the most hilarious, amazing, and self aware senses of humor that I have ever seen in an animated series from this side of the globe if not the entire world. Sokka always had me in stitches with his stupid jokes and one liners but on top of that the whole cast has such great comedic timing with each other. The show also is never afraid to take a risk with a joke and be different and it is because of this that it works so well as more than just a kids show. Believe me when I say that by the end, you will join the pantheon of people who start cracking up every time some random person yells out “MY CABBAGES!!!”

All and all, that's really about it. This could perhaps be the first review I have ever written where I have nothing bad to say so kudos on you Avatar for just being so completely perfect and awesome. If you have not seen this show yet then you are definitely missing out and need go out and watch it like right now. Stop reading this, turn on Netflix, because the whole show is on instant watch, and enjoy the perfection that is Avatar: The Last Airbender.

P.S. Whatever you do, stay the hell away from that GOD AWFUL live action M. Night Shyamalan piece of turd!!! It is truly the worst thing ever except for maybe the Dragon Ball live action movie so just don't even look it up!   

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