Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender, on Paramount+

Magic and martial arts based on the elements are a big thing in anime. They feature prominently in Naruto, Black Clover, and Demon Hunter: Kimetsu no Yaiba. Yet, more than those series, elemental powers truly define the Last Airbender franchise, right down to its title. Technically, the Airbender series and its Legend of Korra follow-up are not technically anime, but they definitely try to pass. In its world, the Air Nomads, or Airbenders had a special role above and beyond the benders of other elements, but only one survived: Avatar Aang. The titular Air Nomad still blames himself for his fellow Airbenders’ demise, so the possibility of unexpectedly finding more inspires him to take great risks in Lauren Montgomery’s Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender, “co-directed” by Steve Ahn and William Mata, which premieres today on Paramount+ (after opening yesterday in New York theaters).

When Aang learned of his destiny to become the Avatar, his panic led to misadventure, resulting in a century of suspended animation. Nevertheless, when he came to, he forged key alliances with Katara the Waterbender, Toph Beifong the Earthbender, and Fire Lord Zuko, the Firebender King of his Fire Nation. Together, they defeated the extremists of each elemental nation and forged a peace that should be sustainable. Presto, you’re caught up—a process screenwriters Tim Hendrick and Christopher Yost handle quite economically.

Of course, it isn’t that simple. A group of power-hungry class-warriors known as “The Denied” steal one of Aang’s relics, hoping it will lead them to a powerful weapon. Whatever it was, it was created by Sonam, an Avatar so mysterious, she was erased from history, with almost no traces of her left in the apostolic chain of Avatar memory. However, Aang discovers just enough to find and revive Tagah, her ancient Airbending ally, who explains the pressing dangers of the Macguffin, especially in the hands of the Denied.

Montgomery has helmed several entertaining DC Animated films, such as Green Lantern: First Flight, so Avatar Aang’s high level of craftsmanship is not surprising. Again, it easily stands alone for newcomers, but rewards longtime fans with a storyline that clearly holds long-term significance for the characters. It is obviously inspired by anime, but the animation is as good or better than that of many of the aforementioned Naruto and Demon Hunter theatrical features. The fantastical landscapes are often quite beautiful, while the characters are suitably expressive. Plus, the six-legged flying air bison are appealingly cute (and never cloying).

American KPop star Eric Nam aptly voices Aang’s youthful idealism, while Jessica Matten supplies a nicely grounded romantic bantering partner as the more skeptical Katara. However, the guest voiceovers from Taika Waititi and Ken Jeong are silly, but mercifully brief. Dave Bautista is okay as Tagah, but he sounds a little too restrained during his big character revealing scenes.

Regardless, Montgomery and Avatar Studios animators render the action in a cleanly legible manner. While there is a lot of magic and chi involved in the climax, it never loses sight of the personal dynamics. Instead of merely watching fireballs and thunderbolts swirling and clashing, the audience has discernable characters to follow, (who are indeed still engulfed in a magical swirling maelstrom.) Still, the lush fantasyscapes and crisp martial arts should please fans of the Avatar franchise and the anime that inspired it. Recommended for those who appreciate mystical-flavored action, Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender now streams on Paramount+ and screens at the AMC Empire.