Tim Burton Developing ‘Addams Family’ Series, 'Wednesday' Starring Jenna Ortega

[DarthSkywalker]

Just finished episode 5, definitely a bit more of what I wanted. And I do love what the new Addams cast and their dynamics

But really, the reactions I've seen really weren't overreaction. Enid is some of that hardcore coding Elon is looking for.

I can tell where it's headed, and it pisses me off. **** off, Netflix!

I'm all for asexual Wednesday, but I'll take gay Wednesday in a heartbeat.

 

[J.Drangal]

I dont really like how Nevermore is basically normal acting people but they just have powers. Wednesday shouldn't be THAT MUCH of an outcast compared to them that it even puts her at odds with the headmistress. There's pastels!

I'm kind of surprised that since Burton directs the first 4 episodes it doesnt really have that Burton feel to it?

Wednesday is definitely the highlight of the show and feels the most Addams of all the Addams.

I've only seen the first two episodes so far, and I share the same thoughts.

As far as the writing goes, there're some really strange choices; Wednesday being the outcast even in her family (is it necessary ?), that "visions" plotline that seems a bit out of place (at least to me and my references for the licence), and, as you said, Nevermore being a school for special children where, in the end, things still seem more or less... normal. About that, in comparison, the pilot for the original 60's series was extremely more effective at introducing us to the Addams house as a strange but delightful place of macabre absurdity in less than five minutes.
I can't say things are bad here either, it flows well, but if I'm taken out of the plot to questionning its design then it means something isn't really working for me.

When it comes to Tim Burton's direction, I'll be honest, if I didn't know he was directing the series, I'd never guess. These first couple of episodes definitely has that generic feel of those very "teenage" series I see the trailers for on autoplay when I go on Netflix.
I just rewatched Beetlejuice and Mars Attack! this weekend, and while it's true that Burton has been moving his filmmaking toward something less crazy for a long time now, damn, this is still The Adams Family in his hands! Why does everything look so visually soft and shy?

Overall, I still have a good time as the series is easy to watch, thanks to Jean Ortega who's perfect in the lead role. But even if it's still too early for me to condemn the whole thing, I would say that given the initial premise of not only offering a new adaptation of this license, but also placing it in the hands of this particular director, I can't help but feel that the series doesn't even try to reach its potential on either level...

 

[Gothamsknight]

I'm on episode 5. Overall, it's solid and Ortega is fantastic. There are some pacing issues, but not a bad time at all. Hope to finish all the episodes soon.

 

[Lily Adler]

So no one did a Munster vs. Wednesday double feature?

 

[Sithborg]

Just started it and.... they made Wednesday the weird one in a family/world of weird ones? Like even she's to dark for the fam?

I've only seen the first two episodes so far, and I share the same thoughts.

As far as the writing goes, there're some really strange choices; Wednesday being the outcast even in her family (is it necessary ?), that "visions" plotline that seems a bit out of place (at least to me and my references for the licence), and, as you said, Nevermore being a school for special children where, in the end, things still seem more or less... normal. About that, in comparison, the pilot for the original 60's series was extremely more effective at introducing us to the Addams house as a strange but delightful place of macabre absurdity in less than five minutes.
I can't say things are bad here either, it flows well, but if I'm taken out of the plot to questionning its design then it means something isn't really working for me.

Wednesday isn't really an outcast among her family, though. Yeah, she is a bit angry with them for shipping her off to Nevermore, and she has that teenage girl relationship with her mother, but not an outcast. And I think with Nevermore, it is to show that Wednesday's attitude is what keeps her apart, not exactly her idiosynchronies.

The wife and I finished the finale this morning. I loved it. Some nitpicks, but really no big notes. My wife isn’t an Addams Family fan, but she gave it a 10/10 the instant the credits rolled and demanded more. Jenna Ortega was a freaking star on this show. The prom dance sequence was absolutely enthralling.

 

[Shinobi Shaw]

I've just started the sixth episode and again I hate to say it, but I find this series dull. To me, it feels like a watered down version of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. What makes the Addams characters fun is seeing their kookiness juxtaposed with normal people, and I think that's what's missing here. Ortega is marvelous, the Nevermore students are a nicely cast bunch but they need more material to go on. The Eugene character is no substitute for Pugsley, and it's not fair to compare them, but Guzman and Zeta Jones are NOT Raul Julia and Anjelica Huston.

Ortega must have back pain from carrying this show.

 

[Primal Slayer]

Wednesday isn't really an outcast among her family, though. Yeah, she is a bit angry with them for shipping her off to Nevermore, and she has that teenage girl relationship with her mother, but not an outcast. And I think with Nevermore, it is to show that Wednesday's attitude is what keeps her apart, not exactly her idiosynchronies

She's definitely the outcast at school and not just because she doesn't want to talk to anyone. Her pulling a Carrie should be a "oh ok. Love it" moment, not a everyone screams in horror and leaves. The headmistress cant handle any of her antics when it should be the opposite. Wednesday should be amongst peers that are similar to her which she should find boring or yearn for more of a challenge.

Even Pugsly being bullied, that should be so fun for him that the jocks cant even get enjoyment out of it.

Take away Nevermores powers and they are no different from a normal private school.

 

[Shinobi Shaw]

Okay now if the whole show had the same intensity as the last two episodes, I would've enjoyed it overall.

 

[The Joker]

it's not fair to compare them, but Guzman and Zeta Jones are NOT Raul Julia and Anjelica Huston.

Tbh I never expected them to be. I feel like Julia and Huston are in a league of their own.

 

[Primal Slayer]

Ortega is marvelous, the Nevermore students are a nicely cast bunch but they need more material to go on. The Eugene character is no substitute for Pugsley, and it's not fair to compare them, but Guzman and Zeta Jones are NOT Raul Julia and Anjelica Huston.

We are now on what? Our 4th/5th pair of live action Addams? They're all gonna be compared eventually and I think there are certain things that are fair to compare (chemistry for one). Each play a slightly varied version to one another though which is harder to compare downright.

 

[Primal Slayer]

If we get another season of Wednesday, I need a full family photo

 

[Steyin]

I thought it was great. Hooked me in after the first 5 minutes. I never cared for the 90s films as they were too campy for me. Don't remember much of the original show. This is more my speed.

 

[Sithborg]

I swear, there is someone in the writers room who is from Michigan.

Overall, I liked the show. I think it benefited once Burton was gone, as it allowed a bit more of the supporting cast to grow into their own. Burton's stuff wasn't necessarily bad, but had issues with a little too much focus on Wednesday. Although, Deus Ex Fester in episode 9 was not a great choice to go in.

Anyway, I am back for the clearly hoped for season 2. And calling it.

Spoiler

I recognize that ending hug

 

[samsnee]

If we get another season of Wednesday, I need a full family photo

Where’s the bottom right from?

 

[Gothamsknight]

I finished the show this morning. I loved it! I really hope a second season gets announced soon because at this point I'm hooked and I want more. Ortega is amazing.

 

[Primal Slayer]

Where’s the bottom right from?

The New Addams Family Adventures that aired on foxfamily

 

[Shinobi Shaw]

The New Addams Family Adventures that aired on foxfamily

Cha cha! Snap snap!

That’s the only thing I remember from that show, the theme LOL.

 

[Pennywise]

Cha cha! Snap snap!

That’s the only thing I remember from that show, the theme LOL.

That was actually my introduction to the franchise, lol

 

[Sithborg]

See, this is the one that I mainly watched.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Just finished. The love interests are awful, and bring the show down a whole lot. But outside of that, it's pretty darn good. Need more Fester and the roomie!!!

 

[Sithborg]

Xavier did grow on me when he was having stuff with Bianca.

Spoiler

Tyler though, the reveal was a big relief

 

[Lily Adler]

Just finished. The love interests are awful, and bring the show down a whole lot. But outside of that, it's pretty darn good. Need more Fester and the roomie!!!

OTP right here.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

OTP right here.

I like how the film understood that she's rather torture him, then kiss him.

 

[Deck Rickard]

Great show. Jenny is absolute perfection as Wednesday. What amazes me is how much she’s able to convey with such subtle expressions and eye movements. And her zombie salsa dance is EVERYTHING.

Also, Enid and Bianca are great. Absolutely loved them and excited to see where their stories go next. Also really loved Gwendolyn Christie. Is it just me or is her look in this WAY better than her Lucifer look in Sandman? Loved her in both shows but I definitely dug her style more here. Also enjoyed Ricci and Lindholme.

Armisen as Fester and CZJ as Morticia were great. I really dug both of their performances. I wasn’t as wild about Guzman as Gomez, mainly because while I generally like Guzman, he’s pretty much the same character in everything. I started thinking about John Leguizamo or Benecio Del Toro as Gomez and I have to say I wouldn’t mind a recast.

All in all, a really fun show that’s a blend of classic Addams, Harry Potter and Burton. Hope there are many more seasons.

 

[Sithborg]

She's definitely the outcast at school and not just because she doesn't want to talk to anyone. Her pulling a Carrie should be a "oh ok. Love it" moment, not a everyone screams in horror and leaves. The headmistress cant handle any of her antics when it should be the opposite. Wednesday should be amongst peers that are similar to her which she should find boring or yearn for more of a challenge.

Even Pugsly being bullied, that should be so fun for him that the jocks cant even get enjoyment out of it.

Take away Nevermores powers and they are no different from a normal private school.

Upon reflection, I think this is a side effect of the series being so focused on Wednesday, especially the Burton episodes. We don't get an idea of what Outcast "normal" is. We get some references to "toxic wolf behavior", of the wolves getting rowdy during the fool moon, but we don't see any of it. The world isn't fleshed out. Which isn't a problem normally, when you are using the normal world. But with only vague bits of world building tossed in, you get the reaction you do.

I love episode 5 because that is the first episode where they truly begin to world build on the world with the side characters.

Still need Yoko to become bigger next season.