My niece and I used to watch the Disney Channel shows when she was younger; whenever I come into town we sit on the sofa and watch all the episodes I miss. She absolutely loves this show; I'd never even heard of it. I watched an episode with her and just saw how her face lit up when the blond kid, who I later learned was Jason Dolley, came onto the scene. I will admit, he's a cutie and will probably get better looking as he gets older. So I looked into the show and was surprised it has such a poor rating. Sticks, my niece, and I read through a lot of the comments and she asked me to write something but to watch the show first. So after watching every episode I could sit through in a day, here I am.
This isn't a show you should take seriously since it doesn't seem to take itself seriously. It is obviously aimed for folks between the ages of seven to early teen. Seven being because of Sophie and teen because of the ages of Cory and his co-stars. (If you don't like your kids watching things that could be of a questionable nature, then this isn't a show for you or the kids.) There is very little meaning in the show except to pass a half hour of time or to watch your kids enjoy the show.
The plot is very simple, just like most of the stuff on television in the US these days. Introduce the issue, try to fix the issue, end up messing up in the process and then as with all family shows, wrapping it up with a nice neat bow and a decent moral lesson. There are subplots, usually involving the adults and/or Sophie. It really doesn't take too many brain cells to understand what is going to happen, but again, that can be said about most shows.
The characters are all the stereotypical, far end of the spectrum, personas. Nothing really new here, but there really isn't any such thing as a 'new' character anymore on any television show. I found the characters to be engaging at times and completely obsolete at others.
I guess the thing that struck me though is seeing how much Sticks liked the show. She and her little sister danced to the opening credit, singing their hearts out. When Newt came on the screen she ran to the TV and kissed it, then came back to me and made me promise to return to the country to attend their wedding! This isn't a show for someone who is looking for the meaning of life or something deep. It was meant for the kids who can see it for what it is. Something fun. This show isn't recommended for people who watch one or less episodes or who are looking to compare it to other shows of the same genre. I'm sure some haven't even watched it at all.
By far the break out performance is of Jason Dolley who I enjoyed in 'Minutemen' just a few hours ago. He has comedic timing and that perfect expression. There are times when he seems to break out of his 'lack of intelligence' and 'mentally absent' state and do something or say something really sweet/profound. Madison is beyond cute and plays the perfect brat one minute and the girl with a heart the next. John, I loved him in 'Seaquest' when I was younger, and Madison have great chemistry. He and Rondell share similar chemistry. Even though this show lacks the depth of 'Ocean Girl' or the intensity of 'So Weird' it shouldn't be written off so easily. There are a few redeeming qualities, you just have to search for them.
I laughed; Cory and Newt checking out Stickler when they thought he was a girl. I cooed; Newt saying he saved his first kiss for someone he made a promise to when he was eight. I got a tear; The President coming home in time to teach Sophie how to ride a bike. I rolled my eyes; Every time Cory came up with some new scam to make money, even if it was at his friends' expenses.
All in all, not a complete waste of time because I watched it with someone who understood the show for what it was; fun.
This isn't a show you should take seriously since it doesn't seem to take itself seriously. It is obviously aimed for folks between the ages of seven to early teen. Seven being because of Sophie and teen because of the ages of Cory and his co-stars. (If you don't like your kids watching things that could be of a questionable nature, then this isn't a show for you or the kids.) There is very little meaning in the show except to pass a half hour of time or to watch your kids enjoy the show.
The plot is very simple, just like most of the stuff on television in the US these days. Introduce the issue, try to fix the issue, end up messing up in the process and then as with all family shows, wrapping it up with a nice neat bow and a decent moral lesson. There are subplots, usually involving the adults and/or Sophie. It really doesn't take too many brain cells to understand what is going to happen, but again, that can be said about most shows.
The characters are all the stereotypical, far end of the spectrum, personas. Nothing really new here, but there really isn't any such thing as a 'new' character anymore on any television show. I found the characters to be engaging at times and completely obsolete at others.
I guess the thing that struck me though is seeing how much Sticks liked the show. She and her little sister danced to the opening credit, singing their hearts out. When Newt came on the screen she ran to the TV and kissed it, then came back to me and made me promise to return to the country to attend their wedding! This isn't a show for someone who is looking for the meaning of life or something deep. It was meant for the kids who can see it for what it is. Something fun. This show isn't recommended for people who watch one or less episodes or who are looking to compare it to other shows of the same genre. I'm sure some haven't even watched it at all.
By far the break out performance is of Jason Dolley who I enjoyed in 'Minutemen' just a few hours ago. He has comedic timing and that perfect expression. There are times when he seems to break out of his 'lack of intelligence' and 'mentally absent' state and do something or say something really sweet/profound. Madison is beyond cute and plays the perfect brat one minute and the girl with a heart the next. John, I loved him in 'Seaquest' when I was younger, and Madison have great chemistry. He and Rondell share similar chemistry. Even though this show lacks the depth of 'Ocean Girl' or the intensity of 'So Weird' it shouldn't be written off so easily. There are a few redeeming qualities, you just have to search for them.
I laughed; Cory and Newt checking out Stickler when they thought he was a girl. I cooed; Newt saying he saved his first kiss for someone he made a promise to when he was eight. I got a tear; The President coming home in time to teach Sophie how to ride a bike. I rolled my eyes; Every time Cory came up with some new scam to make money, even if it was at his friends' expenses.
All in all, not a complete waste of time because I watched it with someone who understood the show for what it was; fun.