As I get ready in bed to watch "Fuller House," knowing I have two mid-terms left later in the week, I decided it was best to set priorities. I binge-watched all of "Fuller House" instead of studying. My roommates think I am crazy, but it's honestly for the greater good. Now I can write a review that will give you a taste of what I went through while watching. To be quite honest, I am not impressed, but I will start with my favorite parts first.
When I first turned on Netflix and started the first episode, it began with the "Full House" theme song. That was a great way to set the tone, until the tone was set a bit too much. (More details on that to come.) Honestly, the best parts of "Fuller House" were the adult jokes. I loved how they had some dark jokes that really make you think "Did DJ Tanner just say that?" and I think it's great. Not only that, but when they reference things from the time period the original "Full House" premiered, it really gives it that realistic feeling. In addition, you get references from today's times, which give it that perfect old-new combo. The main plot is very weak, but all of the subplots with the characters really push the show. You get to see Jackson Fuller go through puberty as he meets girls and learns how to be a good older brother. You also see Max Fuller, the middle child, really relate to Michele Tanner.
Where I'm trying to go with this is that the producers did a great job introducing new characters. For the longest time I would always see people talk about just wanting the old cast, but the producers did it right. I don't think I could bear to watch the show if they had the whole original cast back. Not only are the new characters great, but the old characters never lost who they were. You feel like they grew up, but never changed, and I like that.
If you really want to watch the show with an open mind, throw away the nostalgia. I know it will be hard, but seriously, just keep in mind of the old show, and scarcely relate it to this one. By doing so you can truly appreciate the show and criticize if you see fit.
If you do decide to criticize it, like myself, I do believe this show was poorly produced. It was rushed, and not well thought out. I know people watch shows for the enjoyment, but this show had too many red flags. To start off, I do not like live audiences or laugh tracks. I think it takes away from the show and pushes you out of the experience of the show. A laugh track or live audience forces you to laugh or say "oooh" whenever the producers want you to. I won't critique the show based just on that, because there are many more worse things to consider. For instance, the kids in the show reference a lot of early 90's pop culture. The things they reference were internalized in the late 90's and early 2000's but after that, never again. The producers just wanted to make the kids seem relatable and cute.
To add on to the multitude of pop culture references, the catch phrases were ridiculous, and that's an understatement. I understand that a catch phrase is funny occasionally, but they killed it. They took the phrase and stomped it into tiny pieces and fed it to the vultures. They were incredibly annoying along with the corny jokes. Some jokes are funny, but 90% of the puns are not. They are a cheap way to fill a script and have a live audience laugh on purpose to push the "comedy" of the show.
Aside from that, I believe the scenes were rushed, and it completely ruined the main plot. The main plot in itself is unoriginal and an example of poor judgement. It was too thick, and forced the scenes to be rushed, thus distorting everything. The show also had no element of realism; nothing was believable. I know it's supposed to be a family show sequel, but there is a limit on how everything happens. Life isn't all rainbows and butterflies. The show actually has a very somber theme to begin with, but then becomes way too happy.
There are worse things in the show, but this is turning into a rant, and I honestly enjoyed the show overall. I laughed and thought it was good, but it wasn't great. The main plot is lazy, and the ending is the biggest cop out ever. It made me lose respect for the producers, actors and actresses, script, and plot. The plot obviously forced the ending, and the ending was predictable, so overall if I were to rate this show, I would give it a six out of ten. I do not recommend binge-watching it; take your time and do more important things like studying and homework.
