5 reasons to binge watch 'The Legend of Korra' over winter break
This week on the large and small screen saw the end of two journeys which have brought viewers unforgettable characters, tear-filled moments and captivating stories.
On the silver screen, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armieswas released on December 17. The movie closes Peter Jackson’s celebrated adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved tales.
On television (or a computer screen), the world said a goodbye to another critically acclaimed piece of art. The Legend of Korra’s fourth and final season concluded in dramatic fashion.
The show followed a more acclaimed predecessor, Avatar the Last Airbender which ended in 2008. Though not as acclaimed as the adventures of Aang, Katara and Sokka in the preceding series, the exploits of Korra should not be considered insufficient to its prequel.
With the 52-episode story complete, the Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko creation should be must-viewing for anyone who wants to see some of the most creative action sequences on the small screen. Here are five reasons you should spend some time with the show over winter break:
1. The animation is breathtaking
Drawn in the style of traditional 2D animation with anime influences and a hint of CGI, the backdrop of the story allows viewers to become captivated by the license the animation studio takes. As the title character seeks to manipulates the elements of air, water, earth and fire, the battle sequences allows for the creators of the show to play with the four major elements. One example is the variety of ways in which water is fluidly displayed -- the element can tug between the form of a rushing concrete wall to the shape of dagger-like tentacles.
2. Korra tackles subjects which go beyond the screen
Though considered a kids show, Legend of Korra continually crossed the line into young adult. Without giving too many spoilers, Korra and her friends battle social topics such as national anarchy, terrorism, war and militant dictators -- as well as delving into the spiritually nature of an individual. Perhaps a little too complex for your younger siblings, students can sit back and observe such themes seen in a psychology, current events or religion class.
3. The soundtrack stands out from other shows
In both heightening the tension amid two benders dueling -- as well as soothing the audience in a break between the action -- the orchestration by Jeremy Zuckerman is a pleasure throughout the series. Akin to how the animators of the show can toy with the elements in such creative fashion, Zuckerman’s use of early jazz along with Eastern instruments allows viewers to feel the ambiance of a show which infuses the fighting styles of the East with a setting reflective of the West in the Roaring Twenties.
4. The era of the series is refreshing
Though the Avatar universe does not follow traditional timelines, the technological innovations of the show places the program in one of the most intriguing periods in the nation’s history. Seemingly at the advent of the 20th century, inventions such as the radio and cars which resemble Henry Ford’s famous Model T play key roles in the show. Still, with inventive vehicles such as small, flying mechanisms, the creators brilliantly add technology that would be improbable now -- and definitely during the first decades of the 20th century.
5. Korra is one of the best written characters in television
Early in the series, the protagonist had moments which cause the viewer to frustratingly criticize her behavior. Stubborn and headstrong at first, through a series of climatic trial and error, the titular character adapts not only to her opponents, but to her closest companions. Struggling with personal relationships in the first two seasons, by the third and fourth season -- which culminates into an emotion final scene in the finale -- Korra develops from an impulsive teenager to a composed young woman.
Matthew Johnson is a 20-year old junior at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He is a English major with a media studies minor as well as the sports editor of his university paper. He is a published poet and continually seeks to sustain the fire of human genius in rhymes influenced by the likes of Langston Hughes, Walt Whitman, and plenty of others.
This article comes from The Paste BN College Contributor network. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of Paste BN. You understand that we have no obligation to monitor any discussion forums, blogs, photo- or video-sharing pages, or other areas of the Site through which users can supply information or material. However, we reserve the right at all times, in our sole discretion, to screen content submitted by users and to edit, move, delete, and/or refuse to accept any content that in our judgment violates these Terms of Service or is otherwise unacceptable or inappropriate, whether for legal or other reasons.
This story originally appeared on the Paste BN College blog, a news source produced for college students by student journalists. The blog closed in September of 2017.