Netflix released the live-action remake of “Avatar: The Last Airbender” and despite being far better than the previous attempt to remake the beloved animated show, it still feels like a hollow attempt at capturing former glory. 

The original “Avatar: The Last Airbender” is widely loved and recognized as one of the best animated series of the past few decades. If there is anything consistent about Hollywood though, if something was great enough once, they are more than willing to make it again. 

Netflix has recently been following in the footsteps of Disney, who have spent the past few years remaking and releasing classic animated films as live-action films for a modern audience. 

The recent releases of “Avatar: The Last Airbender” and “One Piece” to Netflix are just the firsts in a full slate of live-action anime remakes the platform has planned in the coming years. 

These projects are unnecessary and feel tainted with the same lack of originality that has plagued big budget Hollywood films for years. 

Instead of giving talented creatives the chance to try something new and exciting, studios and streaming services are keen to rely on previously established content that has already a proven success. 

Even ignoring that issue, there are still the practical challenges of adapting an animated series like “Avatar” into live action. 

The show is filled with characters who can control fire and water. There are massive war ships that can tear through ice and a flying, six-legged bison. These things are easy enough to achieve in animation through the dedication of talented animators but are far-fetched for even the best CGI available to live-action filmmakers. 

Animation allows a creative freedom not yet possible with live action. Animated characters can do things real actors cannot and CGI is simply not to the point where animated effects can be easily duplicated without appearing visibly computer generated and ruining the immersion of the audience. 

The “Avatar: The Last Airbender” live-action show is good. It would be better if it did not have to live up to the original and therein lies the problem. No matter how good a remake is, it can never quite capture the magic of the original. 

The entertainment industry thrives on new creatives with new ideas in order to make successful shows and films. When studios refuse to let stand-alone IP rest and constantly seek to reboot and remake what has already been done, the audience and future creatives both suffer. 

Categories: Arts & Entertainment