SO after watching what I could from the reboot I have so many thoughts. It's important to note that when I was watching this I was trying to NOT compare it to the original series, just trying to watch it as its own thing, a new show. (character designs in general are a whole other essay, so minimal talk about that here)
HOWEVER, it seems this show really uses your previous knowledge of early seasons - knowing what certain places are, knowing what certain items are, just understanding what exactly the dragon flame is without any real explanations. If I was a new fan with no pervious knowledge I would be SO LOST. (ex: why is the ring of solaria so important?? WHY IS THE DRAGON FLAME SO POWERFUL???)
Characters have no layers, tension exists between relationships without any real reason, love exists too without any real time for relationships to develop. There are no conflicts, turning the team (mostly bloom) into these perfect cinnamon roll type characters without any real motivations to be friends. In the old show, conflicts are what deepened the relationships of the girls - one of my favorites from season 2 is when Aisha/Layla and Stella are having a lot of tension when they go on that vacation, but their assumptions of each other are broken once they actually talk and get to know one another. (ex: Reboot riven has been nothing but a sweetie, and Musa just kind of judges him constantly for no reason, Darcy also calls him a bad boy, but he has yet .. to be a bad boy...)
Also another funny thing about the reboot, is just when they want to make a scene feel full, how they kinda just make other characters stand like a npc waiting for a interaction to happen
My personal favorite is when dark bloom just is breathing angrily in the room while everyone is talking about her. Like some kinda toddler-zombie, no restraints, no mental struggle, just huffing and puffing walking around a little kid for like 2 whole minutes. ( the fact that they don't even talk to bloom while she's in this state just kinda makes me think...)
The music hasn't been terrible, though there are a FEW songs that REALLY feel like they have their hands dipped in AI. It feels a little reminiscent of old winx but it a way that suits the modern style of the show, but it just lacks an emotional connection.
Techna has been the saving grace of the show for me so far, she has been the only one I actively giggled at or felt a emotional connection to. Damiens story is feeling like it's going to be more important than the Winx/Bloom. Most of the characters have one personality trait to them. It lacks a lot of depth, It assumes the kids watching are dumb, and I think that's what bothers me. The story tries to push for extreme emotions when we haven't even had a chance to even know anyone yet. There are HINTS of a good story line, but over all, it continues to fall flat in animation, characters designs, plot points, and messages.
Granted, compared to modern cartoons for kids, I can see where it stands its ground. Its seems colorful and fun, and full of magical stuff we don't understand yet - you do want to explore the story, world and characters little more, but - it just has nothing to it.
Overall.... It's okay. Good? No.
It has potential, but it seems like they are too scared to make any real messages for the show. Going into it with a fresh mind is the best way to "enjoy" it, but unless you have already watched everything before you will be confused. Reusing pre-established characters that already have their backstories is just asking for constant comparisons (ex. Aisha going from a tom-boy princess who is scared of the dark, who cries when she feels alone, who loves her parents but stands her ground, who is determined and proud - gets turned into a overly positive, diet and fitness are my only traits, "my parents NEVER hug me" girl.) It wants it watchers to know everything, while also assuming you are a kid can't understand complex relationships and multi-layered personality traits.
It has a smidge of potential, 3/10
( minus -100000 for clearly a lot of AI designs and writing )
(kids (the major audience?) are SO SMART, way smarter than what modern directors/studios/producers think, and that's what kills so many kids shows and it makes me MAD)
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