Zoey 102

Most of the characters we know and love return in this very odd, difficult to characterize film.

Is it a drama, a wedding reunion, a roadtrip comedy, a murder mystery? -My head is still reeling trying to make sense of it all. It seems like the writing room took everyone's ideas and ran with them all at once without giving it much thought.

As a millennial who really enjoyed the escapist nature of the original series, the last thing I wanted to see was the characters I love struggling to find their footing in the adult world.

I would have preferred to see evolved characters with remnants of their high school quirks act in adult functions related to the PCA campus-whether it be teachers, administrators, board of directors, donors, or parents.

3.8/10

This was not a nostalgia movie we needed. I didn't know it existed until I found it scrolling through Paramount+, and I much rather have liked not knowing it existed. While I can't remember "Zoey 101" completely, it was one of the shows I grew up on as the actors and actresses were, and are my age, but despite a few jokes from the show I feel I got nothing out of the movie. It doesn't need to exist. It shouldn't exist.

There were very small pieces of humour that were funny, but really it feels stale. The acting was rigid. The story was mediocre. The spark of "Zoey 101" doesn't exist. The characters are somewhat relatable, but you can really find that in any other show or movie. Lastly, the pacing is slow. There came a point where I had given up on the movie, but I had to see it through knowing there was no recovery.

The big takeaway is that if you want your childhood memories of this show to stay in tact then don't bother watching this film. In the end I was left with the feeling of "that's it?" I wasn't even happy to see the reunion in the end. I wished for better.

That's all for now. Thank you for reading my review, and until next time.... Enjoy the show!

The crew could have worked a lot more when they were creating this reunion film. Everything about this reunion film was weak. The storyline really did not go anywhere. It was nice to see most of the cast return and see how much they have changed from the original series. It is a real shame that not all of them returned like Paul Butcher, Victoria Justice, and Austin Butler. The cast members that did appear did not exactly recapture the same energy and spirit as the original series. This reunion film reveals to viewers that everyone can come together to work together to make the world of today a better and safe place. This is an alright reunion film that could have been better.

I wanted to go into this not being a bitter hater because Jamie Lynn Spears does not deserve good publicity. But having watched this show when I was young I was intrigued anyway.

1. Too much is going on. There's a subplot about Zoey's job that really takes up to much of the run time.

I'd rather focus on the wedding.

2. For the most part, I feel like the characters have some semblance of who they once were. Like Stacey being an obsessive true crime podcaster makes sense somehow.

Quinn only had like... one moment of being a weirdo.

Zoey... she never seemed like the person who passively accepted misogyny. It's a real world thing, but would she really stay at a job that ignores her for that long? She had more gumption as a teenage girl.

3. I had a few laughs, so the jokes weren't completely horrible. Like PCA being an unaccredited school was a good tongue in cheek joke.

4. I had to grab a drink after the 30 minute mark to be honest.

5. Jamie Lynn being a horrible person to her costars and her sister makes it hard to remember I'm watching Zoey. Or that the show itself was toxic as all get out.

6. iCarly is a better example of how to actually revive a series for an adult audience.

I don't know why Nickelodeon greenlit this but Jamie Lynn needs money I guess.

Overall, if you don't care about the drama behind the scenes, that Jamie Lynn is a monster and just wanna watch your bonus episode of Zoey 101, I'd say go for it.

Zoey 102 brings back Zoey Brooks (Jamie Lynn Spears) and her PCA friends for a long-awaited reunion, now as adults navigating their careers and relationships. Set around a wedding, the film attempts to blend nostalgia with a fresh, modern rom-com approach. However, while it delivers some heartwarming moments for longtime fans, it struggles with weak writing and uneven execution.

Positive Aspects:

• Nostalgic Appeal: The return of familiar characters and callbacks to Zoey 101 will please longtime fans, offering a sense of comfort and familiarity.

• Reunion Chemistry: Some of the original cast members, including Sean Flynn (Chase), Erin Sanders (Quinn), and Matthew Underwood (Logan), bring fun energy to the film.

• Lighthearted Fun: The movie doesn't take itself too seriously, offering easygoing entertainment for those looking for a simple feel-good watch.

Negative Aspects:

• Weak Writing: The plot relies heavily on clichés and predictable rom-com tropes, lacking the charm and originality that made Zoey 101 so beloved.

• Missing Key Characters: Some major cast members from the original series, like Paul Butcher (Dustin) and Victoria Justice (Lola), are absent, which feels disappointing for fans.

• Mixed Acting Performances: While some actors slip back into their roles well, others (including Jamie Lynn Spears) deliver stiff and unconvincing performances.

• Forced Humor: Many of the comedic moments feel awkward or outdated, failing to land with the same wit as the original show.

Final Verdict:

Zoey 102 is a decent nostalgia trip for fans of Zoey 101, but it falls short as a standalone rom-com. While it's nice to see familiar faces back together, the lackluster writing and uneven execution make it a forgettable addition to the franchise rather than a triumphant return. It may be worth a watch for longtime fans, but expectations should be kept in check.