I finally got the chance to check out Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender, and I am in shambles. These characters mean so much to me, and the movie definitely delivered an emotional journey filled with powerful moments. It’s unbelievable how special this world is, from the music to the creatures and spirits, to the intricacy and beauty of the bending; every aspect of what makes this universe unique was on display in this movie.
The story takes Aang on a personal journey of healing and reflection. It’s a candid portrayal of trauma, loneliness (even when others surround you), and an introspective analysis of what really makes you who you are. Is it your abilities and accomplishments or your values, morals, and heart? What do our memories of our loved ones tell us? Who are we when we are forced to grow up very quickly? Aang was burdened with an enormous responsibility at such a young age that he found it unbearable to face. But his childlike fear was a natural part of his upbringing. That same upbringing also gave him the tools to eventually take on that responsibility and face his fears without losing his values, and what made him who he is. It’s such a good example of the power of a positive childhood, which is the one thing Aang had and continues to hold onto.
The story pits Aang against Tagah, an Airbender with a nationalistic perspective on restoring the Air Nation. Although some of Tagah’s motivations and story felt slightly rushed to me, the core of his character was mainly there as a foil for Aang, so that he could see what a different version of himself would look like. The character works as an eye-opening example of an Airbender that doesn’t hold back. The power he portrays is unlike anything we’ve ever seen in the Avatar universe, and it was a blast to watch.
The movie also offers many more layers to the rest of the Avatar-verse, such as the eternal storm, the lion turtle islands, and the story of Avatar Sonam, who harnessed the power of the Lion Turtles to give people airbending. This is what this world does best. It opens the door to more levels being discovered. We get to see the power of previous generations of air benders, who develop skills that are some of the best we’ve ever seen from any bender. It was amazing to see a whole new style of airbending from Tagah.
The story offers enough of the team to make the moments special, but for the most part, this is Aang’s movie, focusing on both his internal battle and the skills he has developed over the years since the original series. That aspect did not disappoint. Aang is on a whole new level. His skills in the Avatar State are wild, and his control of all the elements both in and out of the Avatar State is ridiculous, with the ability to power through Tagah’s attacks even in his full spirit energy form. I was blown away with what they did with that. Aang might be the greatest Avatar of all time.
The animation was clean and crisp. The animators were able to elevate the scale and detail as the film went along with more and more creative choices that made the stakes of the third act even higher. Studio Mir showcased some of the best bending animation we have ever seen, with a fluidity and speed that really stood out. The weight of every strike was felt through the screen, with purposeful power scaling, especially with Tagah’s fight scenes. The bold colours and zany style seen in the spirit world also stood out, as the animators showed a different side of a world fans were already familiar with.
Although the runtime did feel rushed, the movie still works. It quickly immerses us back into this world with a charm and reverence that is perfectly balanced throughout the film. Reuniting with these characters creates an unmatched feeling. That special quality that the Avatar-Verse has always had remains strong in Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender. The distinct animation helps create just enough of a unique quality to make the story feel even more significant. Seeing our crew at this moment in their lives, where they are very much in their stride but, at the same time, still figuring things out, was a perfect decision. I can’t wait to rewatch this one.
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