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WIZARDS BEYOND WAVERLY PLACE

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place is a comedic series, full of mystery and magic. I really like this show - it is fun and entertaining, while having a nostalgic feeling to it.

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place is set years later from the original Disney channel show, Wizards of Waverly Place. It stars Janice LeAnn Brown (Billie) who is brought to the Russo house by Alex Russo (Selene Gomez). Alex leaves her there in hopes that her brother, Justin (David Henrie) will help her to control her magic; she has a big heart, but can sometimes get carried away. Justin must learn to come to terms with who he is while helping Billie navigate this wonderful but dangerous gift that they share.

I really enjoy how this show feels so nostalgic. Growing up as a Disney kid, I constantly watched the Disney channel and loved Wizards of Waverly Place. Watching this spin-off reminded me of that same feeling I used to have when I was younger while watching the Disney channel. There is also the live audience aspect - hearing the laughs at the funny parts, and the "oohs" at the intense moments really adds to the show. It absolutely captures the essence of the old Disney channel, while still feeling new and fresh. Additionally, the storyline is enjoyable. Although this connects to an old show, it does not feel old. Each episode follows Billie's journey and viewers get to experience her magic and watch her learn to navigate all of her skills in the real world. I particularly enjoyed the first episode when we get to see all of Billie's tricks. They take us back to the lair, where all the magic happens! Another standout in this show are the characters' relationships with one another. For instance, Billie and Justin, despite just meeting, instantly form a tight bond. Justin acts as almost an older brother figure, helping Billie deal with her magic. There are many times when Billie doesn't know how to control all of her powers, and just wants to use them for good. However, Justin teaches her that just because you have the ability to do something, doesn't mean it's always the right time to exercise that power.

The show's message is to never give up on the people you care about.

I give Wizards Beyond Waverly Place 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 8 to 18. You can watch Wizards Beyond Waverly Place on the Disney Channel beginning October 29, 2024.

By Mikella G., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 18

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Wizards Beyond Waverly Place is a spin-off and sequel to Wizards of Waverly Place. The series follows an adult Justin Russo, living a normal life with his wife and two sons in Staten Island, until his sister Alex asks for help with a young wizard-in-training named Billie. He revives his magical skills in order to mentor the young girl, while balancing living a normal life and safeguarding the Wizard World's future.