Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Something New

Sadly I couldn't get into this movie - it would have been more convincing with the young actors from the previous movie continuing for this prequel. Marilu Henner is amazing but otherwise it looks like a different show too much, I just couldn't get my bearings - it reminds me of the Emmerdale soap special when they recast everyone except the character who got dementia, so they viewer would be just as confused! Maybe if this was a series I would settle into it better, because it is fun to explore the backstory and I'm quite sad this didn't quite work out as I hoped. Perhaps better on a second viewing - although the youngeractors' diction is faster and harder to follow than Bure and co. I hope Hallmark do more mysteries starring over 40s - and preferably without murders.

I was SO EXCITED for the next Aurora Teagarden movie. I waited like a child waiting for Santa. I went from super excited to super, SUPER disappointed when I saw all these new, young actors playing the roles. Not impressed with my lump of coal.

Apparently, Ro was a foot taller when she was younger. And somehow, the town was more modern in 1995 than it is in the 2020s.

I really hope someone in the movie making business brings back our favourite actresses in mature roles instead of this fakery. I want so badly to see Candace C Bure, Lori Loghlin, Allison Sweeney in the original roles. I LOVE the original A Teagarden movies, the Garage Sale mysteries, and the Murder She Baked movies. They are the best. This young actors fakery is NOT it by a long shot. I won't watch another if this is the direction they're going.

I must began by saying that I really did like it. I do agree with another reviewer that they do need another Sally. She's a good actress but not tall enough. That makes a difference. Lexa Doig's daughter was good in the last Aurora Teagarden: Haunted by Murder. It was great to see Sally's aunt Gladys, Karen Kruper. She was a great addition. Also, seeing a young Arthur was also a treat. Marilu Henner was also a great touch, there was really no need to change her she looks young enough to be her mom. In summary it was a nice addition to the Aurora Teagarden Mysteries. I can't wait for more episodes in this series.

I was disappointed in this new show. The actress playing Aurora was not my idea of a young Aurora. And the actress playing Sally was not anything like the real Sally. I was happy to see Marilu Henner back. I did like the actor who played the young Arthur and I do like Steve Bacci. If it doesn't get better I won't be watching. I noticed the town looks different and I miss the opening waterfall that was in the previous show. This was one of Hallmarks best series and I hope it will continue with maybe some adjustments so it will be a continued success. I hope with time the show will develop into the great show it was before.

The Aurora Teagarden series has been a successful, staple product of Hallmark Channel. The recurrent characters are true and tested, have enlivened the uneven plots, and are expected by viewers with some fondness. Candace Cameron, no matter how much you like her, has a presence, a warm personality that brings animation to the shows. Now Hallmark proposes a prequel, with almost entirely new actors, though including Marilu Henner, who should best be cast as the grandmother of the younger Aurora. It is only natural that viewers would made comparisons with the old cast and feel uneasy in adopting so much change.

The mystery, itself, works reasonably well, albeit far from spectacular. What does not, and falls unconvincingly flat, is the chemistry of all new characters and the general acting ability of new cast. Do not expect much warmth or animation from most performances. A particular letdown is the new Aurora. Skyler Samuels conveys no warmth whatsoever. Her acting has a certain wooden quality, little expressive. Her body language is often awkward and inconsistent with the action. Even her, rare, smiles look more like contemptuous smirks. Essentially, her Aurora turns out difficult to warm up to.

So, why mess up with a good thing and rehash it? Hallmark would do better creating a new series with new characters. The audience would not feel betrayed in their expectations and, possibly, swallow it less painfully.