WEDNESDAY review by Neil Healy
Reading The Addams Family cartoons in the New Yorker as a child definitely warped my mind. I was never the same.
They scared me, made me laugh and my parents didn’t mind me reading them (what was that all about?) There was nothing quite like them, until Tim Burton created The Nightmare Before Christmas in 1993. Comedy and horror done well? Where had I seen that before?
I had seen the TV versions of the family before this and was extremely disappointed. They didn’t get it. Finally, I was ecstatic to read that Tim Burton was about to produce and direct “Wednesday” based on the loveable Wednesday Addams. (“Wednesday’s child is full of woe”). I watched it with anticipation. From the magical opening credits and Danny Elfman’s Theme, the show hypnotized me and I entered the weird, twisted Addams Family world willingly.
It truly is an American classic, a supernatural, mystery, comedy television series. Created by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, it stars Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams who immortalizes the character. Luis Guzmán and Catherine Zeta-Jones skillfully portray her parents in the series.
The first season revolves around Wednesday Addams, who attempts to solve a murder mystery at her new school, Nevermore. Four out of the eight episodes in the first season were directed byt Tim Burton. His imprint is on every frame.
In the second season, she faces new challenges with her brother Pugsley enrolling in her school. There are major clashes with her mother, Morticia, and her roommate, Enid. Typical teenage stuff, except it has the Tim Burton twist and The Addams Family taste of weirdness.
All I can say is enjoy. After two seasons, and its immense popularity, there is much more to come.
-Neil Healy
