"Wednesday" Series Review: Jenna Ortega is PERFECTION as Wednesday Addams

The eight episodes of "Wednesday" are currently available on NetFlix. It's of course based on the characters created by carrtoonist Charles Addams. They originally appeared in "The New Yorker" starting in 1938. The group have had a number of different iterations including three TV shows (the earliest starting in 1964), several cartoon series, crossovers and specials as well as two movies.

When I first heard the series announced, I thought it would be cute but didnt get my hopes up. I was disappointed by the earlier release of Rob Zombie's "Munsters" (also on NetFlix). It had some cute aspects but the story as a while but a bit of a letdown.

I could not have been more happily surprised by "Wednesday". It's executive produced by Tim Burton (so that usually means I'll like it). Everything about the show is top notch-- the settings, the attention to detail, and the call backs to the previous incarnations of the Addams Family. Cental to the success of the show is of course Wednesday. Jenny Ortega is PERFECTION. Her commitment to the character included learning how to play the cello and how to fence. Sure Wednesday's personality can be a bit grating at times (but they gave her just enough humanity to keep her relatable).

The rest of the family includes: Mortica (Catherine Zeta Jones), Gomez (Luiz Guzman), Pugsley (Isaac Ordonez) Thing (not CGI, played by a live actor) and even Uncle Fester (Fred Armisen). I initially wasnt sure about the casting of Guzman as Gomez. The Raul Julia interpretation from the movies is what I think of when I think of Gomez. But I learned that originally Gomez was depicted as being wider than he was tall. Another change here is that the Addams' are Latinx--with various references to The Day Of The Dead, the family speaking Spanglish, ec.

Ortega's creation of the "Wednesday dance" has also gone viral. It includes various moves from previous shows. I also liked the double snap used to open a secret passage.

Other standout characters include: Christina Rucci (back from her turn as Wednesday the 1991 and 1993 movies). Nevermore Academy Principal Weems is played by Gwendoline Christie (of "Game Of Thrones" fame). The YA actors are great as well. Wednesday's bubbly werewolf roommate Enid (Emma Myers) is a standout.

Grade: 5 Monsters (out of 5). PERFECTION! Jenna Ortega knocks it out of the park as Wednesday. I enjoyed everything about the show and felt it held true to the previous incarnations. Will there be a season 2? I hope so given that "Wednesday" is the third most watched show in NetFlix's history (behind "Squid Games" and "Stranger Things" season 4). There' still lots more story to tell here so I really hope we see more.