The Crossover (2023) User Reviews

Wish it followed the book's storyline

[schi0631 · 5/10 · 19 May 2023]

As a show it's a completely average Disney show. Nothing really wrong with it but it won't blow you away. I did like most of the acting. In fact, I think I liked everyone except how Filthy McNasty was portrayed. Although, he still had some moments. Just his character felt forced sometimes when in the book, he seemed completely natural.

What I was really disappointed in though was that it didn't have the same ending as the book. The book's ending is real and raw. This ending is too much everyone lives happily ever after. So if you've read the book, you'll be disappointed most likely. If you haven't read the book then you might like it more than I did.

Taught good changes badly.

[darkfire-61392 · 3/10 · 16 May 2023]

Why would you make a show based off the book and not even follow through with the book! I'm fine with minor changes but the only similarity is that the main characters: JB and "Filthy", share the same names as their book counterparts. The ending isn't even the same!!! The dad doesn't die, Beacon, ADHD, new characters who serve huge roles...WHY! It should say "inspired by The Crossover book" not based. If you didn't read the book it's probably going to be a mediocre but watchable coming of age story, but to a reader of the book, they'll wonder what was just plastered across their screens. Not needed as a show.

I like it. Its a nice easy watch.

[sadepoint · 7/10 · 12 April 2023]

I like it. Just watched it. I'm in my 20s so I haven't watched Disney Channel shows in years. Its definitely more family friendly then what I tend to watch nowadays, thats not a bad thing at all. In my opinion some of dialogue falls flat at times, also the kids in the show from what I understand are 13, but to me they appear closer to 15 maybe kids in the US just look older these days. When I was watching disney shows back in the day there weren't too many black shows, it was Thats So Raven, then later on Ant Farm and by the time KC Undercover came out I was "too old" to really enjoy it and my niece was watching it at the time. Then there was Let It Shine (which introduced me to Coco Jones and Trevor Jackson whom I love), Let It Shine was likely the only black show/movie on disney that felt like it had overt references to the black american experience while having a predominantly black main cast. I liked hearing a Duckwrth song in episode 4, that was a personal touch that I liked cos he's one of my favourite rappers.

The two main leads in the show are decent, they have an emotional range that is delievered with sincerity and feels true to the experience of growing pains and coming of age. I also like the addition of the thesaurus words and definitions in most episodes. The narration did get annoying at times, it felt less like it added to carrying the story forward and it was just a way to have a voiceover reading threw hyperbolic poetic dialogue in the background just because. Phylicia Rashad comes through in episode 5 and teases the mum about using too much seasoning in her food, that was funny lol. For me personally, I am not too sure if the flash foraward sequences at the begining of each episode were necessary, I feel like the story that takes place in the present day stands well enough on its own. Overall its a nice easy binge watch, and the whole family can enjoy it.