As long as you’re not too precious about the original, then this series remake comes as a charmingly offbeat comedy that can be enjoyed by anyone of any age.
What it's about
Eleven-year-old Kevin is a loner, both at home and in school, but he finds refuge in his history books. So when a band of time-traveling thieves crashes into his room, he quickly joins them for an adventure of a lifetime.
The take
If you’ve seen the original film by Monty Python member Terry Gilliam, then you might be disappointed by Taika Waititi’s 10-episode adaptation of the time-traveling romp. It’s less out there, catered as it is to young kids, and less tight too. A camera lingers for two seconds longer here, a reaction isn’t given 100% there—they’re small missteps, but they do add up to a mediocre whole. Other than that, the series is undeniably charming. It’s educational and entertaining in equal measure, and the hilarious banter between Lisa Kudrow’s Penelope and Tuck’s Kevin gives the show its edge. It’s naturally, almost unintentionally sweet—the more Penelope and the bandits push Kevin away, the more apparent their care for him is. The show’s quirky sense of humor recalls Waititi’s other shows, specifically Our Flag Means Death and What We Do in the Shadows, while also employing a more kid-friendly approach, a la Doctor Who. It has its faults, but it’s all good fun that might even inspire young kids to review their history lessons this summer.
What stands out
I’m glad the show has Apple’s budget to back its field trips into the past. From the Mayans to Macao, from Stonehenge to Harlem, there’s not an episode where you don’t have delightful backdrops to marvel at. Again, it’s the perfect watch for those waiting for the newest episodes of Doctor Who to drop.
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