Legend of Korra Eps 1 and 2 Review
Apr. 12th, 2012 11:58 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ljwritesI wasn't originally going to watch Legend of Korra until it was over, since a) I get too impatient for the next episode when a show is in progress, and b) Nickelodeon evidently didn't want me as a viewer outside the United States. I was very mature about it too, sticking my tongue out at the imaginary Big Bads at Nick and saying "Nyah! I don't want you either!" But during a cross-country train ride where my boyfriend Wishsong had the episodes right there on his nifty tablet/netbook thingy, I finally gave into temptation.
Like everyone else, we were blown away by Episodes 1 and 2. Wishsong was especially smitten by the gorgeous artwork, and we were both impressed with the animation and the amazing action scenes. I thought at first the voice acting for Korra was rather flat, but it felt more natural in Episode 2. Stellar production value and performances all around.
I am loving Korra as the heroine of the series. She is both badass and realistically flawed, and it's refreshing that she's so different from Aang and very much her own person. I like her clashes with Lin Beifong (oh that smoky voice. Rowr!), though I guess it means I'm officially Old now that I find myself seeing Beifong's side as much as Korra's. I mean, Chief Beifong is actually responsible for the city, which is becoming so volatile that Councilman Tenzin wouldn't leave it even to train the freaking Avatar. Under these circumstances, why would the Chief want a demigod in the body of a teenager with an attitude problem destroying city property, injuring her men, and destabilizing an already unstable situation?
It's also a measure of how much more secular and cynical the world has gotten that the Avatars just aren't revered the way they used to be. It provides good dramatic balance, I think, that Aang was a reluctant Avatar in a world that worshiped him or saw him as Public Enemy Number One while Korra is all gung-ho in a world where the idea of the Avatar seems to be losing some of its shine, especially now that the world is prosperous and at peace. (An impetuous Water Tribe Avatar in a time of peace? Watch out, Kuruk... uh I mean Korra...)
Of course, now that the peace is threatened by a Seriously Evil Dude people might start needing the Avatar a whole lot more. Or they might blame everything on her. One of those things. I was a bit disappointed that the Equalist plot was dropped for Episode 2, though I can understand that writers DiMartino and Konietzko wanted to focus on Korra and Tenzin's relationship and the way Korra gained a measure of independence, while also introducing new characters. I thought the Tenzion between them (sorry, I couldn't help myself!) was sensitively and realistically handled, and the way Korra and her master learned more about themselves and grew closer in the process was a big Moment of Aww. I get the feeling they're going to need that bond in the days ahead.
Much like the Korra/Beifong (this needs to be a ship) conflict, I liked how I could see both sides of the issue with Tenzin and Korra. I can see why Tenzin would be a traditionalist, even a purist, trying as he is to resurrect an extinct culture. It was so amazing of him to admit that he had been close-minded, and his WOOHOO! at the pro bending match will remain my favorite Tenzin moment until something even awesomer comes along. Also he has cute kids, etc. Wishsong thinks the good Councilman is a cradle robber.
Seeing how good the creators are at portraying different sides of a conflict since ATLA on, I am highly intrigued by the Equalist movement in general and the motivations of its leader in particular. I never thought the status of nonbenders in the ATLA world was particularly bad, though, other than bias in favor of benders in the Fire Nation. Also the speech scene in Episode 1, where the speaker heckled Korra in front of a small audience, seemed to indicate nonbender inequality was not a serious issue in Republic City. I'd be a bit disappointed if it turns out there was no legitimate social grievance and the issue is being drummed up for an agenda, but it's too early to tell and it'll be an interesting story either way.
Wishsong thinks for some reason there will be a love triangle between Mako/Korra/Bolin, but I didn't see romantic chemistry between Korra and Bolin at all. And love polygons where siblings are hypotenuses areIkki icky to me. But whatever, the shipping isn't what I'm watching for unless it's KOFONG. Hopefully making the protagonist older and the romance blindingly obvious will cut down on the ship wankery for this one. Of course, if there is too little wank I shall have to create some of my own by advocating for my OTP all over the place.
Long review short, Korra is getting off to a great start. Enjoy your stinking premier, you spoiled Amerikaners, while I sit here in the dark... and plot... yessss...
Like everyone else, we were blown away by Episodes 1 and 2. Wishsong was especially smitten by the gorgeous artwork, and we were both impressed with the animation and the amazing action scenes. I thought at first the voice acting for Korra was rather flat, but it felt more natural in Episode 2. Stellar production value and performances all around.
I am loving Korra as the heroine of the series. She is both badass and realistically flawed, and it's refreshing that she's so different from Aang and very much her own person. I like her clashes with Lin Beifong (oh that smoky voice. Rowr!), though I guess it means I'm officially Old now that I find myself seeing Beifong's side as much as Korra's. I mean, Chief Beifong is actually responsible for the city, which is becoming so volatile that Councilman Tenzin wouldn't leave it even to train the freaking Avatar. Under these circumstances, why would the Chief want a demigod in the body of a teenager with an attitude problem destroying city property, injuring her men, and destabilizing an already unstable situation?
It's also a measure of how much more secular and cynical the world has gotten that the Avatars just aren't revered the way they used to be. It provides good dramatic balance, I think, that Aang was a reluctant Avatar in a world that worshiped him or saw him as Public Enemy Number One while Korra is all gung-ho in a world where the idea of the Avatar seems to be losing some of its shine, especially now that the world is prosperous and at peace. (An impetuous Water Tribe Avatar in a time of peace? Watch out, Kuruk... uh I mean Korra...)
Of course, now that the peace is threatened by a Seriously Evil Dude people might start needing the Avatar a whole lot more. Or they might blame everything on her. One of those things. I was a bit disappointed that the Equalist plot was dropped for Episode 2, though I can understand that writers DiMartino and Konietzko wanted to focus on Korra and Tenzin's relationship and the way Korra gained a measure of independence, while also introducing new characters. I thought the Tenzion between them (sorry, I couldn't help myself!) was sensitively and realistically handled, and the way Korra and her master learned more about themselves and grew closer in the process was a big Moment of Aww. I get the feeling they're going to need that bond in the days ahead.
Much like the Korra/Beifong (this needs to be a ship) conflict, I liked how I could see both sides of the issue with Tenzin and Korra. I can see why Tenzin would be a traditionalist, even a purist, trying as he is to resurrect an extinct culture. It was so amazing of him to admit that he had been close-minded, and his WOOHOO! at the pro bending match will remain my favorite Tenzin moment until something even awesomer comes along. Also he has cute kids, etc. Wishsong thinks the good Councilman is a cradle robber.
Seeing how good the creators are at portraying different sides of a conflict since ATLA on, I am highly intrigued by the Equalist movement in general and the motivations of its leader in particular. I never thought the status of nonbenders in the ATLA world was particularly bad, though, other than bias in favor of benders in the Fire Nation. Also the speech scene in Episode 1, where the speaker heckled Korra in front of a small audience, seemed to indicate nonbender inequality was not a serious issue in Republic City. I'd be a bit disappointed if it turns out there was no legitimate social grievance and the issue is being drummed up for an agenda, but it's too early to tell and it'll be an interesting story either way.
Wishsong thinks for some reason there will be a love triangle between Mako/Korra/Bolin, but I didn't see romantic chemistry between Korra and Bolin at all. And love polygons where siblings are hypotenuses are
Long review short, Korra is getting off to a great start. Enjoy your stinking premier, you spoiled Amerikaners, while I sit here in the dark... and plot... yessss...
