The Wonder Years (TV Series) Pilot (2021) User Reviews

Impressive!

[mickdansforth · 10/10 · 28 September 2021]

I really wasn't planning on watching the new show, as I only watched the original show because of a lack of options at the time.

But I am a big fan of Dulé Hill from The West Wing and Psych. He also made HBO Max's Locked Down more watchable.

So as I was waiting for the new episode of Only Murders In The Building To Drop, I decided to try the new Wonder Years.

First, Hill isn't playing the same curmudgeon that Dan Lauria (Sullivan & Son) played. He's a musician who says, "Be Cool." And that montage absolutely works.

The kids stuff is a lot like the original Wonder Years or Everybody Hates Chris.

And then there's everything about the civil rights issues of that era and how they reverberate in our current era of out racists in powerful positions of influence.

The show is quite impressive.

And it's obvious why racists would hate the show. The people who are trying to ban the teaching of history in school. I'm sure this sticks in their craw, but they claim it's because it's a reboot.

This was truly wonderful for me based only on the pilot.

[alexandertom-86032 · 10/10 · 9 October 2021]

I rarely, if ever give a pilot a perfect score of ten. Coming from a mostly white middle aged man. It made me laugh it made me cry. Now, this right here is how you do a show with political over tones. Oh and those street lights were universal it didn't matter what the tone of your skin was. And; the music bravo!!!

A wonder

[mrdadelus · 10/10 · 9 October 2021]

The humor snd complexity of this pilot episode knocked me back. It's innocent and aware of itself.

Filled with brilliant, Bright Moments.

Looking forward to the rest of the season.

Be Cool.

Not A Single Spark Present

[zkonedog · 2/10 · 3 October 2021]

As a fan of the original Wonder Years series, I tuned into this reboot Pilot to see what it was all about. I came in with no expectations whatsoever, but mainly was just intrigued that Fred Savage (young Kevin in the original) was heavily involved in the production. What I found was a pilot episode utterly devoid of even the semblance of a spark of life.

For a very basic overview, this series follows young Dean (Elisha Williams), a young African-American, as he navigates young-adulthood in 1960s Alabama--from school to home life, friends, sports, and girls.

Not one time during this 20-odd minute episode did I crack a smile in humor or feel anything resembling an emotion. Absolutely nothing transpired on-screen that really made me feel anything. Though perhaps an interesting contrast to the original Wonder Years setup (white vs black suburban '60s life), there is zero hint at any of that gravitas. This might as well be a generic sitcom that just happens to be set during that time.

Needless to say, I won't be continuing along further with this new "Wonder Years". Though featuring nothing offensive or over-the-top content wise, it simply lacks any sort of creative spark that makes entertainment, well, entertainment. Perhaps it has a chance to improve as it rolls along, but this dreadful start certainly does not bode well.