Bel Air Review
- Jul 11, 2023
- 2 min read
“Now this is a story all about how my life got flipped-turned upside down...”
Dominating the industry for six seasons, "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" was a 90s sitcom my family watched during my childhood. The laughter, profound moments, legendary theme song, and antics make for a timeless classic that will last multiple generations.
Executive produced by Will Smith, "Bel Air" is a modernized reboot inspired by a viral fan video created in 2019 by Morgan Cooper that showcased the characters from "The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air" in a pivotal way.
"Bel Air" has a more serious theme, with each character having different personalities and facing unique obstacles. The genre shift from sitcom to drama makes the series similar to an alternative universe.
After a dispute with a gang member in Philly, Will is moved to Bel Air to live with his Uncle and cousins as a safety precaution. Will is charismatic and unapologetically himself; he tries to fight his battles and sometimes gets burned.
His pretentious cousin, Carlton Banks, isn't too enthusiastic about him living there and potentially stealing the spotlight away from him at school. Carlton struggles with drug addiction, peer pressure, and living up to his father's high expectations.
His cousin, Hilary Banks, is very outgoing and friendly. She loves cooking and has aspirations to be a successful social media influencer. Her character differs from the 90s Hilary, who was more shallow and relied on her father's money.
Phillip Banks is still a strict uncle who can be stubborn in his ways but has good intentions to protect his family. Vivian Banks is a nurturing wife, mother, and aunt. She sacrifices her needs and dreams of being an artist to support her family and Phillip's aspirations.
Ashley Banks is the innocent little kid figuring out her identity and sexuality. She still looks up to Will but less than her character in the original series.
Typically, I am not a huge fan of reboots as they rarely measure up to the original. However, this modern version is still good to watch, and as it is a more dramatized version of the plot, it is relatively different from the original series.
"Bel Air" is a compelling series with good music, stylistic fashion, and riveting performances. The series may not have the same comedic elements as the original, but it addresses essential topics such as mental health.
Also, cast members such as Tatianna Ali and Daphne Maxwell Reid make a few nostalgic guest appearances in the series. I suggest leaving high expectations at the door because although it is not the same as the sitcom, it is still entertaining.
In the comments or contact form below, let me know your thoughts on the show or if you have any show recommendations. You can click the link here to sign up for the blog email list and submit suggestions for shows :)
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