After a bit of controversy, Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender will hit theaters after all, albeit in very select locations.
The film initially had showings three times per day, from July 24 to 30, in Los Angeles (the AMC Burbank Town Center 6) and NYC (Manhattan’s AMC Empire 25). Those tickets quickly sold out and more showtimes were added, only for those screenings to also sell out. A screening of the film will also take place at San Diego Comic -Con next week.
If you aren't at Comic-Con this weekend and don't live in LA or New York, or were unlucky enough to secure tickets, you'll have to turn to Paramount+, where the film will start streaming on July 25.
Ahead of its premiere, the first reviews have surfaced, along with the pic's Rotten Tomatoes score.
In their review, Collider wrote: "The newest chapter in the Avatar's story is drop-dead gorgeous from start to finish, with that oh-so-rare 2D animation looking better than it ever has before."
IndieWire gave the film a C+ score, stating: "The result is a visually stunning work of animation, and one loaded with enough callbacks and references to the original that it will probably satisfy the show’s very devoted fanbase."
The Wrap was a little more positive in their review, remarking: "It’s powerful stuff, and fans of the series will take away additional nuance, since we know what Aang’s decisions lead to, for better and worse. I suspect everyone else will find the film dazzling visually but undercooked in other ways."
io9 offered up strong praise: "Avatar Aang is a triumph, offering a reminder of how sacrosanct the series’ place remains in the pantheon of animated works all these years later."
Likewise, CBR felt the film was a strong addition to the Avatar franchise: "A sharply plotted, charming film that speaks to the generation who grew up after Avatar: The Last Airbender ended."
Based on the animated series created by Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, this new story in the Avatar universe sees Aang learn of an ancient power that could save his culture from extinction. With the help of his friends, he embarks on a global quest to find it before it falls into the wrong hands and threatens to upend the peace they sacrificed everything to achieve.
Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender premieres July 25 on Paramount+.
The upcoming film stars Eric Nam as Aang, Dave Bautista as Tagah, Jessica Matten as Katara, Román Zaragoza as Sokka, Steven Yeun as Zuko, and Dionne Quan as Toph.