I will be the first to say that I was hesitant about a reboot of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. But after I watched Peacock’s Bel-Air, my opinion drastically changed.
Bel-Air is not the same as the original show. Instead, the show’s direction is dark and raw. Although there are a few times that the comedic humor from its predecessor makes it on the screen. The approach is more of a drama than it is a sketch comedy sitcom.
Do you remember the theme song from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air? Everything on that opening song is fleshed out on the first half of the first episode in a modern setting. By episode three, the backstory of Will needing to move will haunt him.
The cast is really strong as well. Jabari Banks plays as Will and I think he is perfect. I can tell that Jabari Banks studied Will Smith on how he acted on the original show and applied it to today’s world. He is a bright spot along with Adrian Holmes who plays as Uncle Phill. Olly Sholotan as Carlton Banks does not work. Three episodes in and I see him as a different character. Especially since he does not have the same charisma as Alfonso Ribeiro. He is more of a bully that you want off your screen. The dynamic between Carlton and Will is odd this time around as they are testing boundaries with each other.
One of the most important things that “Bel-Air” got right was Will’s casting. In addition, that allows the series to diverge from the original with its other characters. The series acknowledges Will’s fatal flaw: his inability to think before acting. Will Banks’ credentials as a star athlete, academic whiz, and talented artist can be a bit too good to be true at times. Despite his mother Vy’s (April Parker Jones) repeated reminders, he has yet to prove he’s ready for his crown, which is unexpected. “Bel-Air” is a story about growing up and becoming oneself even when faced with extreme hardships.
