If your epic, multi-season cartoon is going to, well, be an epic,
multi-season cartoon, you’d better give me a satisfying finish
to the second act. Make me feel as if I went on a journey and
that after a rousing climax the tale now sits at a crossroads, because
anything less is going to disappoint.
Well, guess what? Avatar: The Last Airbender, Nickelodeon’s
hit animated TV series, managed to pull off the trick with a final stretch
of episodes that cap off Book 2: Earth, aka season 2, in a big
way. It does not disappoint. We get resolution to long-running story
threads, a few startling turns of events, and, of course, big, insane
action set pieces. The five episodes that make up this disc make for
one of the most satisfying children’s show experiences I’ve
had in a long, long time.
If you’re not familiar with Avatar, it goes
something like this: In this fictional, Asian-influenced world,
some people have the ability to control, or “bend,” the elements
of earth, water, fire, and air. Young Aang is the world’s last
airbender. He is also the Avatar, a figure of immense power able
to control all four elements, and the one person who can stop the evil
Fire Nation from taking over the  world. The story of Avatar is
the story of Aang and his loyal companions, Katara, Sokka and Toph,
as they travel the world, develop their powers and try to stop
the Fire Nation from steamrolling over everything they know and love.
(For more, see my reviews of the
first,
second and
third
discs of Season 2.)
When we last left our heroes, they were shacked up in the massive city
of Ba Sing Se, the last holdout of the peaceful Earth Kingdom – and
a city with an undercurrent of conspiracy just beneath its calm surface.
The young group uncovered information that could lead to the fire nation’s
defeat, but for reasons they cannot guess the leaders of Ba Sing Se will
not see them. That is because there is much more going on. And that “much
more” might mean an end to the war – and victory for the
Fire Nation.
Save for the first, the five episodes of this, the final disc of the
season 2 collection, play like a single extended story. One can’t
summarize it without spoilers, but suffice it to say a myriad of story
elements and narratives that have played out over the course of the season
are inexorably drawn together for the appropriately named final episode, The
Crossroads of Destiny. We see things  we haven’t seen before,
witness exciting new powers, see amazing combat, and, more important
than any of that, watch as some of our characters make terrifically difficult
decisions that will impact the direction the series will take in the
third season. A crossroads is reached indeed, and in dramatic fashion.
This is really good stuff made even better because it manages to be
good while remaining a kids show at heart. Political intrigue, moral
quandaries, life and death … but entirely friendly for the entire
family. It’s a balance rarely reached, but Avatar has
consistently done exactly that, offering something for kids and adults
alike.
It’s been a great journey. All I can say is, bring on season
3.
 Disc Presentation
Like the previous three discs in the season 2 collection (issued
on individual discs, and due to be released in collected form in September),
here we’ve got just over 120 minutes of colorful, crisp animated
action, presented with a robust Dolby Digital soundtrack. The bright,
distinctly American take on Anime looks great. No sign of compression
artifacts, the colors pop, and the animation is smooth. The varied locations
of the series, especially in this final stretch of episodes, offer plenty
to see. Avatar: The Last Airbender is a far cry from
the choppy, stuttering children’s animated series one sees far
too often in a home with a young boy inside. This disc looks and sounds
swell. All in all, quite a satisfying transfer.
 Disc Extras
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I’d sure
like to see a comprehensive documentary on the conception, making and
production of this show. With the heavy Asian influence the American
creators bring to the table, surely there is a lot to delve into. No
such luck here, though. Until then, I’ll have to be content with
the two commentary tracks on this disc. And content I am. The creators
of the show discuss their ideas, hopes for the show, concepts for the
characters, influences and more. The tracks are lively and informative,
rarely relying on the old “here is what you are seeing on screen” trick
of filling time. I doubt a kid will ever listen to this stuff,
but older viewers should be pleased with the insights the commentary
tracks offer.
The disc also comes with the final in a four-part mini comic. At six
pages it’s not huge, but hey, extra stuff is nice.
 The Bottom Line
A show dad and son can watch together, that entertains on levels
both can appreciate? A rare thing, but it’s exactly what makes Avatar:
The Last Airbender so appealing. An animated series that actually
has quality animation, characters that are far more than one-dimensional
stereotypes (including, gasp!, strong female characters), and an epic
story that refuses to be contained to even an entire season of
the show … what’s not to like?
The second season of Avatar was a thrilling ride, and
wraps up here with the best episodes of the bunch. If you’re a fan
of animation but haven’t given this a look, there s no time like
the present.
|
