As a child of the 2000s, I can say with absolute certainty that my nostalgia-filled heart has been warmed by “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place.” Growing up watching Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez on Disney Channel, this reboot felt like a long-lost friend returning home. The first nine episodes have been nothing short of delightful, with the humor, acting, and character chemistry all on point. However, as an original fan, there are two aspects that have left me scratching my head.
Grew up during the heyday of Disney Channel, where fresh episodes of “Hannah Montana” and “Wizards of Waverly Place” aired weekly, and the top shows had exciting crossover events. As these series hold a dear spot in my memory, I felt hesitant upon hearing that the sitcom starring Selena Gomez was being revived. However, once “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place” appeared on the 2024 TV lineup, I couldn’t resist giving it a try, and I must say it feels comfortingly familiar. Yet there are two aspects that have left me slightly uncomfortable.
Initially, you can find the first nine installments of this captivating series streaming alongside top-tier content on Disney+. To preserve the enjoyment, I’ve been taking my time instead of rushing through a binge-watch. The experience so far has been nothing short of delightful, reminding me of how much I’ve missed the Russo family and the enchanting universe conceived by Disney Channel in the past. Moreover, the mature humor peppered throughout the series has added an extra layer of enjoyment for adults watching alongside their kids. Now, let’s delve deeper into the specifics.
The First Few Episodes Of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Are Great
In the debut episode of WBWP, we find Justin (David Henrie) unwillingly returning to the mystical realm when his sister Alex (Gomez) arrives with a powerful newcomer, Billie (Janice LeAnn Brown). This young woman is crucial as she’s the only one who can prevent the apocalypse. To complicate matters, Justin’s family, including his children and wife, are unaware of his magical abilities. Fortunately, this secret is quickly revealed, leading to subsequent episodes focusing on Billie exploring her powers and adapting to life in the human world, while also grappling with the consequences of her destiny.
For those encountering it for the first time, or those who didn’t grow up with Disney Channel’s classic series, “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place” appears to be an outstanding show. The humor is side-splitting, the acting is top-notch, and the camaraderie among all characters feels genuine. It’s almost unbelievable that the young cast ever had any anxiety about the sequel. Nevertheless, while there are many positive aspects to appreciate, certain elements in this new world remind an original fan like me of its differences from the sitcom I used to watch as a kid.
Alex’s New Career Feels Very Out Of Character For Her
In my generation, Alex Russo is widely recognized as an icon due to her unique character traits. Unlike most Disney Channel female characters who were generally cheerful, well-behaved, and kind, Alex stood out with her witty sarcasm and playful mischief. Despite frequently landing in trouble because of her antics, she never let fear hinder her from pursuing her desires.
It’s safe to say I was taken aback when it turned out in the premiere that Alex had landed a position with the Magical Tribunal. For those who may have forgotten, this group is tasked with upholding Wizard law and handling those who violate these regulations. In other words, Alex is now a warden enforcing magical laws.
As a die-hard fan following Alex’s rebellious journey, it’s quite surprising to see her transition into enforcing the very rules she once broke with glee. Though this role taps into her sharp intellect and provides an adrenaline rush, it still seems out of character, considering there must have been more fitting opportunities for her talents. The twist is undoubtedly intended to be ironic, but it leaves me pondering how this turn of events will unfold.
The Russo Boys Don’t Have Magical Powers And Justin Doesn’t Seem Interested In Teaching Them
One aspect of the show Wizards Beyond Waverly Place that I find troubling is that neither of Justin’s children seem to possess magical abilities, and no one appears surprised by this fact. From what we learned in the original series, magical powers usually manifest around age 12, even for wizards whose parents are human – like the Russos. We also know from the original series that young wizards can begin learning spells and magical history before their powers officially emerge, as demonstrated by Max (Jake T. Austin) in the original series.
It’s understandable that Justin hadn’t introduced magic to the boys prior to Billie’s arrival, given his secretive nature about this aspect of his life within his family. However, upon deciding to teach Billie, it would have been fair to involve Roman and Milo in the lessons too. This is because there’s a chance that they might develop magical abilities in the future. Roman, specifically, may be on the verge of discovering his powers soon, as he’s around the same age as Billie.
In the initial season, it could have been intriguing to observe Roman encounter some peculiar, unexplainable misfortunes – events that only make sense to those with magical abilities. Justin might then attribute these occurrences to his wizard ancestry. Fortunately, there are only nine episodes aired so far, leaving room for the Russo brothers to inherit their father’s magical powers as the story progresses.
I may not be overly thrilled about Hollywood’s continuous flow of remakes and follow-ups, but “Beyond Waverly Place” is as near to flawless as it gets. With only a few episodes broadcast so far, I’m confident in stating that the show is on its way to matching the greatness of its predecessor, “Raven’s Home”. The fact that Disney Channel has such confidence in the show’s success, giving it 21 episodes for its first season – which is quite rare for TV shows these days – certainly doesn’t hurt.
Of course, these are just my thoughts about the show, and not everyone is going to find as much joy in Wizards Beyond Waverly Place as I surprisingly have, even with what I perceive to be flaws. If you haven’t checked out the show yet, you can stream the first nine episodes with an active Disney+ subscription now. One new episode will be released weekly every Friday at 8 p.m. ET starting on November 8th on Disney Channel. (It’s presumed that the episodes will then hit Disney+ the following day.)
Moreover, if you’ve never seen the initial series before, this could be a great opportunity to explore the Russos family’s past by streaming “Wizards of Waverly Place” on Disney+ right now.
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2024-11-06 00:07