I'm a kid from the 80's and fairy tales and the fantasy genre were one of my big things in my childhood. This show is another under the radar gem and it's kinda also an obscure gem because believe it or not I honestly never heard about despite a fan of the genre but trust me I'm not alone in this.
This show in a way was a bit ahead of it's time as it predates the show "Once Upon a Time", even graphic novel "Fables" which are both uncannily similar. It's not quite a fantasy/comedy classic but it could of been given more time which is too bad because this show had plenty of magic.
The concept is wild as it's simply about fantasy characters coming to contemporary reality. Personally I think that's a cool idea and really is a ripe idea for comedy when you think about it more.
The characters are solid. I really like the evil stepmother Lilian White and The Mirror by the late Paul Winfield. Both of those characters are kinda show stealers at times. Lilian is sort of the foil factor much as Dr. Smith is to the Robersons in "Lost in Space". What I really like about Lilian White is despite being kinda a jerk (she is wicked after all) she funny with her sarcasm. However whats interesting about her a bit of a mentor figure for the family (wherether she wants to be or not) how grounded in reality she is as opposed to the others whom haven't totally left the fantasy world. What she says to the Charmings is like what we might say if we ever encountered them. And also she isn't completely selfish as she does care and act as a grandma toward their children, which I like showing a humane side to her.
The Mirror is a fun character despite in the show briefly, he's sort of who Zordon is the the "Power Rangers" as he is also a mentor figure for the family giving out words of wisdom. But he's really funny because he's kinda a smart ass and gives snide remarks behind Lilians back.
However what really makes this show of course are the Charmings themselves hence the title. Snow and the Prince are a fun duo the actors playing them are solid, their a bit of an exaggeration on the archetypes but at the same time are straight and competent. I really like the chemistry between them really bought them as a couple. But what makes both interesting is how both are somewhat childlike despite how much time they had in our present from getting the essentials like a house and family their both still disoriented, unfamiliar and unused to the customs of the present. Which makes sense not just are both fantasy characters but their from a different time also. I like what they say and how they react to certain things which feels a little realistic when you think about it, it's much like how any foreigner is to any country they visit.
I even like that this show is actually a little smart making it not feeling just another run on the mill comedy. There is even a bit of social commentary in this as in some episode they ask why the heck certain things have to be so complicated. Which to me is a valid point, despite certain advances to make things easier we also seem to have this bad habit of making things unnecessarily harder than before; it really doesn't always make any sense.
As well as culture shock and our common feeling for nostalgia, despite present trends there is still that need to keep things from the past to not forget and keep within our comfort zone; we see moments of this when both Snow and the Prince occasionally go back into wearing their medieval wear because those are the fashions they are most familiar and feel the most comfortable in.
I personally would've liked this show to be longer, it would've be cool seeing more of the fantasy characters from the Fairy Tales or possibly fantasy genre in general if they want to go further;come to the real world and their reactions to things which could of induced some plot arcs if possible. I also would of liked a bit more depth like how Snow and the Prince after they woke up, integrated and transitioned into our present like how did they get a house in the suburbs and most importantly their budding relationship.
Sadly this never happened and the chances of a revival are very slim as the sitcom genre has became a lost practice and with shows like "Once Upon a Time" and "Game of Thrones" going on for the current fantasy genre it probably won't happen, what a shame.
Overall this is a solid show. If your into fantasy shows like "Once Upon a Time" or even the fantasy, comedy or both generes in general then like in any lost fantasy tale it's one worth checking out.
Rating: 3 stars
This show in a way was a bit ahead of it's time as it predates the show "Once Upon a Time", even graphic novel "Fables" which are both uncannily similar. It's not quite a fantasy/comedy classic but it could of been given more time which is too bad because this show had plenty of magic.
The concept is wild as it's simply about fantasy characters coming to contemporary reality. Personally I think that's a cool idea and really is a ripe idea for comedy when you think about it more.
The characters are solid. I really like the evil stepmother Lilian White and The Mirror by the late Paul Winfield. Both of those characters are kinda show stealers at times. Lilian is sort of the foil factor much as Dr. Smith is to the Robersons in "Lost in Space". What I really like about Lilian White is despite being kinda a jerk (she is wicked after all) she funny with her sarcasm. However whats interesting about her a bit of a mentor figure for the family (wherether she wants to be or not) how grounded in reality she is as opposed to the others whom haven't totally left the fantasy world. What she says to the Charmings is like what we might say if we ever encountered them. And also she isn't completely selfish as she does care and act as a grandma toward their children, which I like showing a humane side to her.
The Mirror is a fun character despite in the show briefly, he's sort of who Zordon is the the "Power Rangers" as he is also a mentor figure for the family giving out words of wisdom. But he's really funny because he's kinda a smart ass and gives snide remarks behind Lilians back.
However what really makes this show of course are the Charmings themselves hence the title. Snow and the Prince are a fun duo the actors playing them are solid, their a bit of an exaggeration on the archetypes but at the same time are straight and competent. I really like the chemistry between them really bought them as a couple. But what makes both interesting is how both are somewhat childlike despite how much time they had in our present from getting the essentials like a house and family their both still disoriented, unfamiliar and unused to the customs of the present. Which makes sense not just are both fantasy characters but their from a different time also. I like what they say and how they react to certain things which feels a little realistic when you think about it, it's much like how any foreigner is to any country they visit.
I even like that this show is actually a little smart making it not feeling just another run on the mill comedy. There is even a bit of social commentary in this as in some episode they ask why the heck certain things have to be so complicated. Which to me is a valid point, despite certain advances to make things easier we also seem to have this bad habit of making things unnecessarily harder than before; it really doesn't always make any sense.
As well as culture shock and our common feeling for nostalgia, despite present trends there is still that need to keep things from the past to not forget and keep within our comfort zone; we see moments of this when both Snow and the Prince occasionally go back into wearing their medieval wear because those are the fashions they are most familiar and feel the most comfortable in.
I personally would've liked this show to be longer, it would've be cool seeing more of the fantasy characters from the Fairy Tales or possibly fantasy genre in general if they want to go further;come to the real world and their reactions to things which could of induced some plot arcs if possible. I also would of liked a bit more depth like how Snow and the Prince after they woke up, integrated and transitioned into our present like how did they get a house in the suburbs and most importantly their budding relationship.
Sadly this never happened and the chances of a revival are very slim as the sitcom genre has became a lost practice and with shows like "Once Upon a Time" and "Game of Thrones" going on for the current fantasy genre it probably won't happen, what a shame.
Overall this is a solid show. If your into fantasy shows like "Once Upon a Time" or even the fantasy, comedy or both generes in general then like in any lost fantasy tale it's one worth checking out.
Rating: 3 stars