DVD Reviews

Avatar: Book 1, Volume 4

Avatar the Last Airbender is back with another DVD instalment.  Confronted with sickness, captivity, and the testing of their friendship, Aang, Katara, and Sokka labour on with their journey to the Northern Water Tribe. Along the way, they encounter a master Firebender, and Aang tries firebending for the first time… with disastrous results.

Chapter 13: The Blue Spirit – Out on his own, Aang is captured and held prisoner by Admiral Zha. But a mysterious man in a blue mask helps Aang escape!

Chapter 14: The Fortuneteller – Aang, Katara, and Sokka meet a fortuneteller who can predict anything! The villagers become so reliant on her, they’re blind to the imminent danger they are all in.

Chapter 15: Bato of the Water Tribe – Sokka and Katara reunite with an old Water Tribe friend. Feeling insecure, Aang intercepts and hides an important message from Katara and Sokka’s father.

Chapter 16: The Deserter – Aang begins learning firebending techniques and ends up battling Admiral Zhao. Meanwhile, Katara discover she possesses a special power!

The DVD recreates the television show perfectly. It might even be better. The colours are bright and the animation shines throughout the 1.33:1 format.  The 2.0 stereo track is quite nicely done.  The dialogue is always perfect and the music and effects are also well mixed.  There’s French and Spanish stereo tracks as well for those who prefer something other then English. This DVD does a better job on extras then the last release.  First up is the “Ask the Creators” Featurette.  I’m not sure where the questions came from (possible viewers of the show) but the answers given are really short and not very detailed.  They actually look as though they aren’t really interested in being there and answering the questions.   The next extra is “Original Animatic: Chapter 15 – Uncut” This is the entire 15 episode in storyboard format with a small screen showing the actual episode in the corner for comparison. This is exactly how I’d like everyone to handle Storyboards on DVDs.  I realise it’s a little harder on a full length film but It’s still possible.  The extras are rounded off by some commercials (Spongebob DVDs and Nick’s Picks DVD compilation) that play at the beginning of the DVD. As I had previously mentioned in my review of book 1, volume 3, if you put the extras from all the DVDs together, you end up with a pretty decent season 1 set.

I am a fan of the series and this DVD is one of the better releases in terms of extras.  Fans of the series should definitely consider getting all the DVDs for their collection.  I can’t wait for season 2!!!

Review By Robert Harding