Let me first say that I admire Nickelodeon’s decision to release the first two episodes online weeks early. Compared to the many companies who don’t understand how they can use the internet to connect with their fans, for them to open the series up to their thousands of fans, many of whom might not have cable … well, it was a very cool thing for them to do. All Nickelodeon asked was that the show receive 100,000 “likes” on Facebook, and the fans happily obliged, so this weekend I was able to dive head first into these sequel series to Avatar: The Last Airbender … and I love it.
For those of you not in the know, Legend of Korra takes place 70 years after the end of Avatar: The Last Airbender. Aang has died, which of course means that the new Avatar has been born into one of the Water Tribes. Starting with “Welcome to Republic City” and “A Leaf in the Wind,” new Avatar Korra has mastered water, earth and firebending (in fact, she’s been good at all three for over a decade, as we find out), but she has not taken on airbending, nor has she learned the more spiritual side of being the Avatar. Korra travels to Republic City, which was created by Aang and Zukko to be a harbor for peace and equality among the tribes, to work with her airbending master. Because she’s not a fugitive (despite getting in trouble with the law within a day of being in the city) and there is no distinct timeframe for her training, this will make for a very different sort of story compared to A:TLA … which I see as a good thing.
Of all the different aspects of the show, the one that worried me the most in the last few months was Korra herself. She’s voiced by Janey Varney, one of the founders of SF Sketchfest, a Rifftraxguest riffer and a former host of Dinner and a Movie. She’s also an adult, and I wondered if 1. she could effectively play a teenage girl and 2. if her Korra would be as easy to love as Aang. I am relieved to tell you that Janet Varney hits all the right notes as our new Avatar. She’s cocky and quick to act without thinking, but often that impulsiveness happens when she coming to the aid of others. She believes in doing the right thing, but often finds herself in trouble because of it. Korra is also more than ready to finish her training and isn’t afraid to break the rules to get there. There is so much of Aang in her and in just these two episodes I already really like Korra.
I am blown away by how good J.K. Simmons is as Tenzin, Korra’s airbending mentor and the son of Aang and Katara. While I love his very funny and over-the-top voice-over work as Cave Johnson and the upcoming J. Jonah Jameson, in Tenzin we get such subtly and quiet dignity. I was already sold by his narrative during the new opening credits, which parallels and yet stands up to Mae Whitman‘s perfect opening narrative from the original show. We’re told Tenzin is the most quiet and contemplative of Aang’s children and despite loving Korra like a daughter, he and his protege are already butting heads. While Korra is our protagonist, the writers have done a great job already at showing us how Tenzin’s point of view is valid. As we learn more about Republic City’s troubles, I look forward to seeing the struggles Tenzin faces in his own duties at one of the city’s leaders. It’s also way to enjoyable to see flashes of Aang on Tenzin’s face … especially when he’s frustrated.
While they were only introduced in the 2nd of the 2 episodes released, Korra’s new friends in the city are already winning me over. Twin brothers Mako and Bolin are fire and earthbenders respectively and also pro-bending athletes. We only get a handful of moments with them so far, but they’re both enjoyable characters in their own way. Easily my favorite moment was when the twin realize that she’s the Avatar … it’s the great humor Avatar is known for. While Bolin is the happy-go-lucky flirt, I’m already calling it that the brooding and cold-shouldered Mako is Korra’s love interest for the series. Considering Bolin has already taken a shine to Korra, this might get interesting. And Korra’s activities with pro-bending look to be a cool way for her to incorporate her lessons from Tenzin into practical use.
Not everything is smooth sailing for the Avatar. There’s a rising anti-bender moment run by a mysterious syndicate. From the additional videos on the website, we know the “Equalists” are not above hurting citizens for their own means. My guess is their plan is to either exterminate all benders or take away their powers. Another hurdle for Korra is Toph’s daughter Lin Beifong, a hardened metal bender and the head of police in Republic City. The corruption within the city is sure to bring Korra and Lin to blows. I’m hoping Lin’s character gets more developed as the series progresses, since A:TLA is known for its multifaceted antagonists.
While it took me a while to get accustomed to it, the setting within Republic City is absolutely fantastic. The technology and overall feel has been described as 1900s steam-punk, but Howl’s Moving Castle also comes to mind, especially with the police dirigibles. I’m also over the moon about the music during the fight scenes, which is frantically free-form jazz Ala Cowboy Bebop. As for the animation itself, it’s certainly higher quality thanks to our advances in animation within the last few years, but it somehow remains true to A:TLA‘s art. Even despite the generation jump, this feels like the same beautiful world the fans fell in love with the first time around.
Because it’s been 7 decades since the original story ended, there aren’t too many familiar faces within the show as of yet. We do know a handful of characters have passed away, either because we’re told so or because they were adults during the first show. The one character we do get to see is an elderly Katara (played this time by Eva Marie Saint), who happens to be Korra’s waterbending master just like she was Aang’s. Before Korra leaves for her journey, Katara wishes her well and gives her blessing for the adventure. Like Katara, I hope the fans open their hearts to this Avatar and her story. If the first two episodes were any indication, we are in for another wonderful experience.
Clacked by Katie Schenkel 
on Mar 26, 2012 @ 15:59 EST5EDT
