How NOT to Adapt an Animated Series (Breakdown & Analysis)
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- čas přidán 26. 02. 2024
- This is my breakdown and analysis of Netflix's new Avatar: The Last Airbender live action adaptation. Is it good? Bad? Mid? In this video, we take a deep dive into the similarities and differences between the two versions and find out why.
THANKS FOR WATCHING!
My new tiktok: / opinion8dyt hehehe
#avatar #avatarthelastairbender #netflix
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Animation being dismissed as something purely for kids is something that genuinely saddens me. The animated series is brilliantly written. Any age group is allowed to enjoy it.
I’m glad the future avatar films and shows are still going to be animated. This live action stuff is basically spin-off. But yes I hope animation will still be taken seriously.
Amen...I am 45 and I started watching in when I was 40 and loved it
Someone who has never seen the orginal. "Oh wow that's brutal, but tell me again: Who are those air people again?"
Jet's heroic entrance: "I dont't understand. Why is this guy significant?" ... a few minutes later ... "So he's a douchebag. Why did they build him up so much? They made him look so important. Moving on..."
"Why is this spirit stuff so confusing? And why are we abandoning it all to see the main guy bond with that whiney kid? ... oh that spirit stuff is now just an afterthought literally shown in the end dialogue.. uhh... ???"
Come on guys..."dark and gritty"? "grounded"? The live action Avatar has all the tone, nuance, and groundedness of a Disney channel original. The only thing that makes it even remotely inapropriate for preteens is people getting burned alive, which happens so atonally, so often, and so ludicrously that you could almost see it as like a running gag.
I laughed at Katara's mom getting burned. I swear I'm not a psychopath, it was just so goofy 😂😂😂
Filler is one of those overused words people don’t understand. If the characters grew? If we learned more about the world? If we got an emotional story that revealed something? If we got backstory? That’s not filler, that’s how you build characters and plot.
I agree with the filler thing. Netflix ATLA made me realized that the "fillers" in the og ATLA are not just fillers, these episodes help with the worldbuilding, develops the relationship of the characters and further establishes who they are. For example, the waterbending scroll ep. I thought it was just a filler but then I realized this is where they established that Katara has an attitude. She gets jealous and screams, even steals but is passionate in learning waterbending and all of these reaches its peak in the Waterbending Master episode.
It is a series the supposed to be more mature than the cartoon, but becomes more immature.
lmao most accurate comment
ikr, they strip away everyone's character so they're more 'edgy' and 'mature' but its just boring. being mature doesn't mean you can't be funny, have fun, or make jokes
nostalgia baiting is gonna kill the art in our lifetimes.
Can't wait to see the next franchise that gets butchered for a quick profit, but this time generative AI is in charge of all the visuals and the script
After I saw the one piece adaptation, I had so much hope for the avatar adaptation. But what one piece has that avatar didn’t is a creators who were avid fans with immense respect for the source material. When oda had comments, they listened and reshot/rewrote. The end result is an adaptation that captures the soul of the original.
An adaptation doesn’t need to be a shot for shot remake to be good. It just needs to understand the source material and add more than it takes away.
How to adapt anything correctly: SHOW don't tell. The 2010 Live Action was also guilty of this but at least it had the excuse of having to adapt a season' worth of content into a 2-hour movie.
And the show runner of the Netflix series said he refused to watch the 2010 film. Clearly he should have. Maybe he would have learned something.
Good point. Learning what not to do would have been a major benefit. And to be fair, the 2010 movie made the costumes look a bit more realistic and lived in. It also did a way better job with Yue's hair (I stand by this, even with the first shot of her head looking like a P-nis). I mean, what the hell is up with that wig?
It was only 1hr 30min actually
I heard that Albert Kim didn’t watch the Shyamalan movie. He really should have. Then he would understand why it was so bad. It wasn’t just the visuals but the dialogue and structure of the story.
He should have watched the movie and also read the reviews. Then maybe he would have known that people dont like when you make the characters do all of the story telling through exposition. The show might have been pretty good if the dialogue wasn't so bad
@@ATLA99 they did say they were open to constructive criticism to improve their attempt at a season two. Hopefully they will listen.
I created a drinking game while watching this so that everytime the show explains what the Avatar is (Master of all four elements) I take a drink and now I'm in a coma. Help...
Man, I completely agree. The writing is just really off, and it really drags down everything else. Especially the bit with the three main characters, it’s insane how flawless they’ve become.
In the og, Sokka’s flaws came from his sexism, his arrogance, his tendency to lead despite not having proved himself as a leader and his farther related insecurities.
Katara’s flaws came from her anger outbursts, her recklessness of running into dangerous situations in order to help, her forceful maternal treatment (gets talked about more with toph but is still present in season 1) and her grief of her mom.
With aang it’s his childishness, his habit of getting distracted and avoidance of important tasks, his naivety and the guilt he holds from abandoning his people.
Now, it’s all just about insecurity. Sokka is insecure of being a warrior, Katara is insecure of being a water bender and Aang is insecure of being the Avatar. Fine flaws sure, but none of those require self reflection like their previous flaws did. It’s wildly frustrating.
such a great analysis, this video needs more views and likes!
one of my least favorite parts of the live action is that they took away aang's playful childness. I mean, even shyamalan's version had him acting somewhat like a kid. it takes away so much of his character and depth...
Thanks so much! Yeah something Big Joel said in his video about it is "at least the 2010 movie was FUN?" which I kinda agree with! lol
The irony is the show makes a parody of future adaptations. "At least the effects were decent". Hollywood simply doesn't have the maturity to realize they are incapable of writing mature stories.
I had a hard time getting through this show for basically all the reasons you mentioned. The original show, which was made for a kid demographic, handled everything miles better than this modern adaptation. I don’t think it’s trash cuz it has a lot of potential. But jumbling plot lines together and making inexplicable creative decisions ruined the execution. I see what they were trying to do and how they had to work around certain logistical problems (removing Sozin’s comet because they knew it would take years to get season one done and the child actors would age too quickly between seasons). But it’s those changes that create multiple problems the further into the story you go. Any change, big or small, caused plot holes and meandering arcs that multiplied exponentially. Things were changed seemingly just because they could, not necessarily because it was a good decision. I went into this knowing there were changes and had no real expectations. And I was still letdown.
This is a great analysis! Very thorough. This show was my LIFE as a child, i felt like such a big kid watching it. 😂 i wanted to be a firebender when i grew up! (Hilariously. My dad worked in the fire department. Got some pyromania from him)
Needless to say, this adaptation was a hard sell for me. The original was just so perfect. Ugh!
Seriously, just adapt the Kyoshi novels if you wanted "more mature themes". But, honestly you've stated all my complaints so theres nothing more for me to add. Great video!
Thanks for watching!
9:50 I would argue that his arc is more accurately described as 'learning how to become and be a man, not what a boy thinks a man is.' it's positive, it shows that Sokka is learning and that the vacuum caused by the exorcism of his flaws is filled not new flaws but by virtues. Rant over, go on.
Good luck with your channel man, that's a well made video
"Third times the charm~?" BRUH indeed.
You're wrong! Aang does have personality in the live action.
He likes eating banana cakes and playing airball with his friends.🥺
I was very hopeful that this adaptation would be good or at least competent. I only made it through the first episode and had such a bad anger headache by the end of the episode that I decided slogging through the rest of the season would be unnecessary self harm. At least the 2010 movie is so bad it's funny to watch. This show had the potential to be good unlike the 2010 movie as it didn't have to cram 8 hours of content into an hour and a half. This squandered potential feels much worse than the abomination that is the 2010 movie.
"unnecessary self harm" LOL
I watched the whole show, but i was working on a drawing at the same time so i wouldnt feel like i completely wasted 8 hours of my life upon completion
I feel like the only real benefit to this adaptation is it will draw new viewers to the original animated show, if only out of curiosity
I need that intro remix asap!
glad u like it! i actually made it a few years ago just for myself, so it's not on streaming or anything. i suppose i could upload it unlisted if people want that?
I woulda thought this channel woulda had more subscribers! High quality and enjoyable stuff here ^-^
Really well done review here, thanks for not holding back. Subbed
Appreciate that, thanks for watching!
Definitely not going back for season 2
I’m not fond of this series, but not bringing up the comet early is something I like fine enough. There’s no way they could cram the series into the span of a year, and it allows for a more realistic time frame for learning elements.
I wanted to ask if avatar the last airbender real live action is even worth watching? But I guess i have the answer.
I love the animated avatar series, I grew up with it and I was really exited to see it in live action. But the few scenes that I have seen does not happen in the animated series. Which for me is really disappointing. I feel like if I watch the live action series that I am just gonna sit there and disagree with everything that’s happening.
Yeah if you're looking for a faithful adaptation, you will NOT enjoy the Netflix version. Give the OG a rewatch instead!
bro love the video ty youtube recommendations. bro whats that intro song?
Thanks so much! I actually made the intro song many years ago. Figured this was an appropriate use lol
they mentioned the comet in the post credit scene of the last episode
My only thing was with the comment about the runtime and length of episodes are different and not the same also the credit time differs normally i wouldnt bring it up but the netflix adaptation s credits are 5-7 min which is a very large chunk per episode.
i think the general adage should be 'never adapt animation into live action'. they literally have no need to exist. better to pour all that resource into some other project.
I'm just gonna wait for the musical a la AVPM.
I am of the opinion that this is unneeded, with Avatar Studios being a thing and extended media galore, that is backed by the creators who love and care for the show. In all honesty it is only for the people who won’t touch animation with a 10 foot pole.
Thank you so much for your video, I agree completely! I watched only 2 and a half episodes from the new adaptation and I was thinking the whole time that I should've just go and watch original series AGAIN instead, the live action adaptation was so unnecessary and boring
Who needs this POS when we can just watch the original. I was wise enough to give this horried excuse of a demake a thumbs down when I heard the OG creators left due to creative differences. That was an immediate red flag.
Live Ozai reaction
Commenting for algo. Well done video man!
Much appreciated!
How are they both 8 hours run time and they failed to adapt the whole thing 😮
honestly the live action was ok not great
Absolutely true, thus series us a 4 out of 10 for me, they failed at making this. 💯🤦🏾♂️
I thought the 2024 was fine. I really didn’t cuz it remake it should be a little bit different just a little bit care about the changes that much
I love the poster and tat 🐟
I had to agree with you
37:17 Imperialism, yes, Fascism, can you define what you mean, beyond 'ideology I disagree with'?
If you don't think the Fire Nation is an EXACT, 1 to 1, EXPLICIT parallel to real world fascist organizations that have actually existed, then you are just not capable of media analysis. Sorry, but I'm afraid this borders on illiteracy.
Also, yes, I disagree with fascism. Should I take this comment to mean that you don't? lmao
25:04... Really, it made comments on patriarchy... Yay that's what we call a stretch because every leader in every village, city, town, was a man at the start of the series and said man was either still in charge at the end of episode 61 or was seceded by his son. You can argue it said something on sexism, but this series had nothing to say on patriarchy. The best you got is division of labour between what the Northern Water Tribe teaches men and women water benders, but that's not inherently patriarchal.
A patriarchy is a society in which males are designated to all or most of the positions of power, which is literally every society in the show, you even admit that in your own comment. The show outlines the problems with patriarchy by showing the tolls that a system like that takes on the characters. Sokka's insecurity and toxic masculinity, Katara's emotional struggle and responsibilities, as well as countless other examples. All a reflection of patriarchal systems within the show.
Also, sexism, which you acknowledge exists in the show, is an interpersonal extension of the system of patriarchy. One does not exist without the other.
20:55 "In the animation, the moment that Aang realizes that he has to give up his love for Katara in order to master the Avatar state and defeat Ozai is debatably the biggest test of his character in the entire series and by removing his earthling attachment to Katara in the live action show, the show runner deprive us of this moment of growth from Aang"
That might have been true IF in the original show, Aang either changed and stopped idealizing Katara or grew out of those feelings, but neither happened. In the end, he mastered the avatar state without letting go of his feelings for her and till the end, he never stopped idealizing her.
Removing the romance between Aang and Katara (at least for these first eight episodes) was honestly good change for multiple reasons:
1- Aang is 12 and Katara is 14. Although a two year gap means nothing between adults, when you're that young that age difference is off putting to romance, because Aang looks and acts like a child while Katara doesn't.
2- In the cartoon, Katara acted more like Aang's mother than a romantic partner and he idolized her and saw her through rose tinted glasses to the point that he didn't understand her character (like when she wanted to go after the man who killed her mother and he compared her grief to the way he felt when he spent days apart from Appa or when he was against her fighting Pakku because he thought she was doing it for him instead of doing it for herself).
In short, the animation never developed well Aang and Katara's romance, so if the show makes changes that either remove that romance entirely or simply make it more believable that Katara is into him instead of being a prize that the hero won by the end, then that's a positive change in my eyes.
Yeah, I honestly disagree. I think Aang choosing Katara over opening the chakra and finding another way to master the avatar state is him PASSING the test, not failing it. It teaches him that sometimes when people tell you "this is the only way" that it's not always true. Something that is paralleled when he stays true to his principles in deciding NOT to take Ozai's life in the last ep, even though everyone told him he had to.
1- completely disagree. 12 and 14 isn't offputting at all in my opinion. It's normal. And katara DOES act like a kid, just one who has a lot of responsibilities.
2- I kind of agree that they could have done better in setting up the romance, and showing more reciprocation from Katara (even though there are hints from as early as book 1). Though I DONT agree that keeping it out of the live action is a positive change. I think there are (hypothetically) ways that could work in live action IF Aang's character was fleshed out more, but since his core character has been so thoroughly stripped in this version, it just comes across as another meaningless omission cus they couldn't make it work.
Overall, the animation could have done better in fleshing out the romance, yeah, but I don't think taking it out entirely is the answer. Thanks for watching and commenting!
@n8d "Something that is paralleled when he stays true to his principles in deciding NOT to take Ozai's life in the last ep, even though everyone told him he had to."
Isn't universally agreed that the lion turtle is an example of deus ex machina? Removing the "romance" between Aang and Katara isn't going to deprive us of this moment of growth from Aang, because that dilemma went nowhere. Aang never stopped idealizing Katara and never became more perceptive over her pain and anger, instead prior to the finale he regressed his character by becoming more jealous and possessive at the mere suggestion that she wasn't "the avatar's girl" during the ember island players and even kissed her against her will. Katara's feelings for Aang was never something developed in the original cartoon and it makes sense when you hear the interviews with the creators of the show, in which in relation to the pairing of Katara and Aang, they stated how they were nerds who could never get the girl and had crushes on their babysitters (cue to all the scenes with Katara acting like Aang's mother). In the end, the female main character was just treated like a prize to be won so it would be a good change if Netflix didn't follow that, some changes are for the better.
@@opinion8d In other words, Paula is saying..."Hi, Zutara shipper here!" 😂Probably.
@@magiyouth In other words, take your nostalgic glasses off and realize that the romance portion of Avatar was terribly written. We don’t need to see on screen romance between a 12 year old boy and a 15 year old girl. To put things in perspective: Gordon Cormier, Aang’s actor, lost a baby tooth on set. With the cartoon most people didn’t notice the age gap between the characters but it’s different when it’s live action. Also, most importantly: Avatar benefits from removing that terribly developed romance. In the original cartoon, Aang ends up mastering the avatar state without letting go of his romantic feelings for Katara and without maturing. On the contrary, he kissed her without consent (something he never apologized for and the show never brought up again) and was acting jealous in the last episode prior to the finale. In short, the romance between Katara and Aang isn’t needed and the live action show benefits from not copying the cartoon’s mistake with the execution of that storyline.
@@paulaabelenda5867they do explain that though? The air avatar he talks to tells him this request was ridiculous in the first place as he can NEVER be separate from the world, as he is its protector. I don’t get that complaint when it is literally addressed. I don’t have nostalgia goggles, I watched the show at 24. I enjoy Katara and Aang compared to all the rivals to lovers I got growing up, people are allowed to like each other first, it’s nice 🤷🏻
The show is getting too much hate it's like 6/10 how ever I do agree that the show does make a lot of bad changes compared to the original.
36:59 and nobody else engages in indoctrination? That's one pretty big projection, comrade, you must have rented a drive-in theater.
Where did I say that only fascists engage in indoctrination? That just happens to be what the show is commenting on. The fire nation is explicitly a right wing fascist institution. Confused by this comment
@opinion8d how & what u mean fire Nation are a right wing fascist?🤨
The hate is literally absurd, I’m a huge fan of both Avatar and LoK and I waited for this since they first announced. The changes are really not that bad and on its own is a good show, it’s the first season it just needs time to adapt to itself. The hate is almost like shamalans and TRUST that this live action is tons better. Everyone’s coming in on this with so much negativity like come on just vibe and have fun
I think if you are a casual fan of ATLA, then the live action is probably mostly fine if you just want a fun viewing experience. But for hardcore fans, the adaptation makes a lot of changes than many feel betray an indifference towards what makes the show special for a lot of people. That's mostly why people are hating on it. I wouldn't say that's absurd
Excellent video!
People are allowed to have standards. You’re allowed to not. Watch videos that praise it, there are plenty if that’s what you want 🤷🏻
No the m night shyamalan should be a good example on how not to adapt a animated series this video is wrong
Nah, the Netflix adaptation is just as bad👎🏻