I only saw the first two seasons, so I cannot judge the third season that seems to be - according to some reviewers here - very different, with apparently a new cast. The first two series however I did like very much.
Sure, it's clearly aimed at teens and in many aspects this shows: the cool-dudes attitudes, the high-school humour, the caricatural way in which many of the grown-ups are pictured and most obvious of all in the elaborate plot that's kind of a hotch-potch of magic, demons, witchcraft, multiple dimensions and other scifi improbabilities. But when you've adjusted your level a bit, there's actually a lot to enjoy.
First of all there is the main premise of 4 youngsters of totally different backgrounds and "scenes" (a macho and a sensitive jock, a nerd, and a goth) who accidentally are thrown together in an amazing adventure and have to deal and work with each other and eventually become the best of friends. It's rather heartwarming to see how they manage this.
As I said before, story and script are a bit over the top and at times not very consistent or logical (many times for instance I wondered why the guys didn't use the special forces that they had discovered in themselves), but the idea of traveling between dimensions and finding yourselves in a world where everything is slightly but essentially different was great. The CGI is simple but effective enough.
What eventually and definitely won me over however is the humor in the dialogues. Especially all scenes where Darci McDonald as the cynical Ellen could deliver her funny lines and ad-libs were great!
As to the acting: the 4 young guys were essentially very sympathetic, only Rahart Adams in my opinion stood out a bit, he seemed to have everything in his favour: the cool and attractive looks, a natural way of acting and a great sense of humor. I already mentioned Darci McDonald, the only young female who stood out, and this by far, she's really hilarious!
Amidst the grown-ups Michala Banas did a great job as the double-hearted wannabe- witch, her interaction with the young guys was great and they must have had lots of fun together. Also Jim Russell as (detective) Roland was very funny, as was grandmother Lau ("Nai-nai" I think they called her?), who stole every scene she was in!
All in all this is absolutely a fun and likable show, at least the first two series. The duration of each episode (some 25 minutes) helped to keep up the pace and keep you on the edge of your chair. I rank it 8 out of 10
Sure, it's clearly aimed at teens and in many aspects this shows: the cool-dudes attitudes, the high-school humour, the caricatural way in which many of the grown-ups are pictured and most obvious of all in the elaborate plot that's kind of a hotch-potch of magic, demons, witchcraft, multiple dimensions and other scifi improbabilities. But when you've adjusted your level a bit, there's actually a lot to enjoy.
First of all there is the main premise of 4 youngsters of totally different backgrounds and "scenes" (a macho and a sensitive jock, a nerd, and a goth) who accidentally are thrown together in an amazing adventure and have to deal and work with each other and eventually become the best of friends. It's rather heartwarming to see how they manage this.
As I said before, story and script are a bit over the top and at times not very consistent or logical (many times for instance I wondered why the guys didn't use the special forces that they had discovered in themselves), but the idea of traveling between dimensions and finding yourselves in a world where everything is slightly but essentially different was great. The CGI is simple but effective enough.
What eventually and definitely won me over however is the humor in the dialogues. Especially all scenes where Darci McDonald as the cynical Ellen could deliver her funny lines and ad-libs were great!
As to the acting: the 4 young guys were essentially very sympathetic, only Rahart Adams in my opinion stood out a bit, he seemed to have everything in his favour: the cool and attractive looks, a natural way of acting and a great sense of humor. I already mentioned Darci McDonald, the only young female who stood out, and this by far, she's really hilarious!
Amidst the grown-ups Michala Banas did a great job as the double-hearted wannabe- witch, her interaction with the young guys was great and they must have had lots of fun together. Also Jim Russell as (detective) Roland was very funny, as was grandmother Lau ("Nai-nai" I think they called her?), who stole every scene she was in!
All in all this is absolutely a fun and likable show, at least the first two series. The duration of each episode (some 25 minutes) helped to keep up the pace and keep you on the edge of your chair. I rank it 8 out of 10