Review of Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie (2009) by Jason F — 28 Aug 2009

This is what we pop culture experts call Disney's answer to Harry Potter. Although this was mch better then I anticipated, maybe it just goes to show don't always judge the movie before you see it.

The movie quickly set the premise of wizards-in-training living in New York city. We gradually meet the Russo children (Justin, Alex and Max) who are not only potential candidates to be full wizards but are also very different in personalities. Rather then writting in depth character analysis let's just say the younger the sibling the less brain cells work. Their father was once a wizard but gave up his powers to stay with their mother. We also meet Alex's best friend Harper who has a very short role in this movie since the majority takes place on a family vacation. After one of Alex's mystical mishaps they are forbidden from taking their magical gear on vacation, but of course certain items come along anyways. After a falling out with mom, Alex accidentally wishes their parents never meet, and in true Back To The Future style they have 48 hours to set things right before the 3 of them disappear for good. Their only chance is to get a mystical lost gem that can grant only one wish.

This is a Disney movie and since the TV show is still going strong we all know everything is going to be hunky dory in the end. If the movie has any flaws it is that Max is given very little to do. He ends up as his parents babysitter while his siblings are out looking for the gem, and in the last part of the adventure he is "deleted" from time and does not participate in the wizard trials to determine who will be family wizard. Plus let's not forget the antagonist of the movie, a former wizard with a parrot (who was a former wizard herself), who really isn't much of a villain but rather a plotpoint.

Let's face it no matter what I say people will still flock to the TV everytime this movie is on. I did enjoy the movie but I think once is good enough for me. Maybe I'll watch it again when my kids enter their tweens, but that's a long way off. You can expect a sequel at some point.