It was the time of the great unbalance. The world of man had divided into four nations representing the four elements (Earth, Air, Fire and Water). Each nation fought the other for total domination of the world.
Only the Avatar can save the world now. Regrettably, he is a twelve-year-old boy. An Airbender of great power named Aang who has been locked in ice for a century. Now, he's out and not quite ready for the challenge he must face in this bleak, desolate realm.
Fortunately, Aang has found some new friends in a waterbender named Katara and her warrior brother Sokka. He's going to need all the friends he can get as he confronts the great armies of the four nations. Can the Last Avatar reunite humanity and save his world?
Avatar The Last Airbender is the surprise hit series from Nickelodeon. It's probably the best-animated series they've come up with since The Mysterious Cities of Gold (a show it resembles in some ways). It is an intelligently written epic with all the impact of Lord of the Rings. Leave it to a childrens' network not to talk down to children. The scripts here are more mature than most of the shows running on ABC-TV during prime time.
To describe the characters and the complex web of schemes and counter-schemes that permeate this saga would make you believe that it would be all too much for the little kiddies. Do not worry; they'll appreciate the fact that they're not being talked down to. Besides, if you raise them on good stuff, they'll want good stuff when they're adults. I applaud the show's success. Perhaps there is hope for American television after all.
Reviewed by Lawrence Sufrin, December 2006
Below: Opening video titles to Avatar: The Last Airbender
Below: Promotional art from Avatar: The Last Airbender
Fortunately, Aang has found some new friends in a waterbender named Katara and her warrior brother Sokka. He's going to need all the friends he can get as he confronts the great armies of the four nations. Can the Last Avatar reunite humanity and save his world?
