Mercredi

Being a huge Addams fan (owning the books by Chas Addams, the tv series, the movies and, yes, even the cartoons) I've been looking forward to this new iteration since it was announced a year or two ago. I can tell you it doesn't disappoint and, in fact, delivers on all fronts. Following Christina Ricci's iconic performance is a tall order for anyone but Jenna Ortega knocks it out of the park with her portrayal of the titles title character. Her dead pan, sarcastic delivery is spot on but there's a sweetness to get poison tongue... You know, like ethylene glycol.

Rather than compete with the beautiful Angelica Houston, Catherine Zeta Jones brings her own interpretation to Morticia while Luis Guzman brings to life the Gomez Addams as he appeared in the original New Yorker Cartoons. This is a smart move because when it comes to the late, great Raul Julia.... Well, just don't. There's just no replacing him so sidestepping that issue was the best thing they could do.. Who is also here...Thing, that is. Along with Lurch, Pugsley and Uncle Fester.

There are also some surprises in the cast that I haven't mentioned.

Tim Burton has done a terrific job here of both updating and continuing the adventures of our favorite spooky family and I'm really looking forward to season 2.

Loved the show. Didn't care much for Uncle Fester as he seemed like an unnecessary distraction. There were a few moments where her attitude felt tedious but overall, a perfect rendition of the wit, ability and fearlessness of the Wednesday Addams character. Jenna Ortega did a masterful job as the stoic young woman where slight nuances of facial expression were subtle but expressive moments of character development. I enjoyed all the performances and the story line was engaging enough. I remember watching the original Addams Family TV show and this in depth story on Wednesday was a worthy rendition of those characters and a lot of fun to watch.

Once in a while a show comes along on there that I go wow... yes, this is what I am paying for. Now give me more. The season is contained but short. Ortega's Wednesday is exceptional, you will grow to love her and her supporting cast. The music and scenes set a great tone... (yes, I am listening to APOCALYPTICA: Nothing Else Matters as I write this)

It's dark, with some clever word play to give it a lighter tone at times as a nod to the older shows but...it's not a comedy. Regardless, It kept me engaged right to the end and I look forward to more. I'd love to see a bit longer seasons...

A binge worthy endeavor on the part of Burton and crew. They have done a masterful job with this series.

Addition: Thankfully, I managed to enjoy the last four episodes of the series again. What I find very impressive, as in the first season, are the lovingly designed sets and costumes. Unfortunately, there wasn't much opportunity or time to marvel at and enjoy them. For me, they packed too much into this season. There wasn't enough time to pause and take a breather. The series works better when everyone involved works together and contributes their strengths, and thankfully that's what happened in the end.

The first season was funny, interesting, and new. For me, it was also a symbol of neurodivergent people who have to cope with normality and find their people and their family. Wednesday was solitary, distant, intellectual, but at the end of the day, her heart was in the right place. They created a new Addams Family that many people embraced and liked. The friendship between Enid and Wednesday was genuine and felt organic. All the stories fit together. For me personally, the first four episodes of season 2 felt like a completely new series. Everything seems disjointed. There is no contact between Eugene and Wednesday. A lot happens, but somehow it leaves no impression on me. With Agnes, a second Wednesday has now been introduced unnecessarily. It feels cold, the mood is unfriendly. In season 1, there was no unnecessary violence that didn't fit into the story. It seems to me that season 2 now has a lot of extra violence integrated into it. Many people die as a result of her brother's actions. I would have preferred to do without the brother storyline, as I find nothing interesting about his character. The rehashing of the family history and the resulting mother-daughter conflicts are also told in a way that I find extremely annoying for me. I hope it gets better.

So I thought this was going to be God awful like most Netflix adaptations, but I found myself laughing and appreciating the camerawork, the clothes, the colors, the acting etc. The way everything is colorful and vibrant while Wednesday is just colorless and unemotional makes Wednesday stick out so much from being so out of place. You almost can feel how much she dislikes almost everything. She's smart, witty, and honestly kind of scary. Catherine Zeta Jones made me a believer in her from her performance. From start to finish this was a easy and fun watch. It almost flew by too fast and now I want more.