# Aang and friends reunite for Paramount+’s new animated sequel

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/avatar-aang-the-last-airbender-review-dazzling-visuals-compete-with-lackluster-storytelling-in-film-sequel-to-hit-animated-series/
- Published: 2026-07-20T19:32:31+00:00
- Updated: 2026-07-21T01:47:14+00:00
- Original publisher: The Hollywood Reporter
- Original article: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/avatar-aang-the-last-airbender-review-1236651085/
- Topics: Entertainment, Film, TV

## Key points

- "Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender" streams on Paramount+ from 24 July
- Review praises the animation but criticises weak plot and pacing
- Dave Bautista voices new character Tagah alongside the original cast

## Summary

Paramount+ is releasing "Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender", an animated feature-length sequel to Nickelodeon's popular series, on 24 July, alongside a limited theatrical run intended to qualify it for Oscar consideration. According to The Hollywood Reporter's review, the film prioritises spectacular action sequences over strong plotting or character development, meaning it is likely to satisfy franchise devotees more for its visuals than its storytelling, while newcomers to the franchise may find the dense backstory daunting despite an opening recap.

The story picks up after the original series, with a now grown-up Aang reuniting with Katara, Sokka, Toph and Zuko to track down a magical staff that could save his people, after learning of it from a newly awakened ancient Airbender named Tagah, played by Dave Bautista. The 99-minute, PG-rated film, directed by Lauren Montgomery from a script by Tim Hedrick and Christopher Yost, features a largely new voice cast alongside familiar names including Steven Yeun, Ke Huy Quan and Ken Jeong. The review praises the consistently striking combination of 2D and 3D animation but notes that the relentless pace and thin exposition risk making the film feel wearisome, summing it up as delivering strong action but comparatively little else.

## Coverage

- [The Hollywood Reporter: Aang and friends reunite for Paramount+’s new animated sequel](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/avatar-aang-the-last-airbender-review-1236651085/)
- [IGN: Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender Review](https://www.ign.com/articles/avatar-aang-the-last-airbender-review)

---
Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.