Four Part Mini Series Review

 

Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair is a nostalgic trip back to the early 2000s that captures the heart and humour of the beloved sitcom, that with the original cast finding that magical chemistry that made the series a hit in the first place, results in a delightful revival that is never short on laughter, wild moments and family love that defined the original series.

 

If you were growing up in the 2000s, odds were you grew up watching Malcolm in the Middle. The acclaimed sitcom was a trailblazer, becoming the first television comedy shot using a single-camera filming style and notably did not film in front of a live studio audience or using a laugh track. But more importantly, it made Frankie Muniz a household name thanks to his performance as the titular genius middle child of an otherwise completely dysfunctional family, and gave Bryan Cranston and Jane Kaczmarek their breakout roles for playing Malcolm’s parents, Hal and Lois respectively. While the series ended its original run after seven seasons and one hundred and fifty one episodes, its legacy has endured, leading to this special revival event which reunites the majority of the original cast almost twenty years later. While the characters may have grown up, the same chaotic family dynamic persists in Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair thanks to the performances of the returning cast who effortlessly make it feel like they never left behind these characters, resulting in an entertaining four episode event that recaptures everything that audiences loved about the original series.

 

With Hal and Lois celebrating their fortieth wedding anniversary and the entire family reuniting for the big event, there is lots of chaos for the writers of Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair to play with, resulting in some outrageously hilarious slapstick comedy moments. The physical comedy never stops with Hal having at least one big moment per episode, Lois’s controlling nature continues to drive her adult boys crazy, and Malcolm’s freak outs persist despite the distance he has created from his family to preserve his own sanity, allowing this four episode event to capture both what viewers loved about the original series while presenting it in the new light of the older, but not necessarily wiser, version of the characters. Not every joke or slapstick moment lands as perfectly as intended, but when they do work, there is no shortage of riotous laughter that transports viewers back to a simpler comedy style that they don’t see enough of these days.

 

At the same time, the heart of the original series and Malcolm’s family is never misplaced for a second. Yes, they all get on each other's nerves and continue to be chaotic and dysfunctional as ever, but the writing captures the unquestionable love between all of these characters… even if they are willing to admit that to themselves. With this heart intact, Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair feels like a natural continuation of the original series that keeps its DNA intact with its portrayal of the character and the chaos that ensues in their life, rather than a new iteration trying to emulate the original series that never quite recaptures its magic.

 

Though, where this revival finds its biggest strength is in its returning original cast. While having put his acting career on pause to focus on his career behind the wheel as a race car driver, Muniz returns to his most iconic role, and it feels like he never stopped playing Malcolm. Capturing the same ego, intelligence that makes him feel superior to his family members, and insecurities, Muniz is wonderful as Malcolm, finding the perfect balance of immature middle child of the family who never fully grew up while discovering who Malcolm would be almost twenty years later as a full fledged adult who has distanced himself from his family.

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Cranston and Kaczmarek shine from start to finish as Hal and Lois, recreating their characters’ affectionate love and infectious comedic energy that never fails to deliver the biggest laughs of the entire revival. Inept and lovable as ever, Cranston is a delight returning to Hal and his comedic roots, creating a goofy and charming performance that generates nothing but smiles and laughter throughout. Kaczmarek remains excellent as Lois, finding a new outlet for Lois’s overbearing behaviour as she plans her and Hal’s anniversary party now that her boys are all grown up and not in constant need of her attention… though that won’t stop Lois from meddling in her boys’ lives. Her comedic timing never misses a beat, and the luminous warmth that Kaczmarek brings to every scene reminds you of why you fell in love with Lois’s overbearing yet fierce nurturing instinct in the first place. Chris Kennedy Masterson and Justin Berfield don’t miss a beat as Francis and Reese, each finding the comedic heart of their characters from the original sitcom while maturing them into full fledged adults with the same insecurities that riddle their characters as young adults.

 

While it is Muniz, Cranston, Kaczmarek, Masterson and Berfield who are the standouts, the newcomers to the series fit perfectly into the dynamic of the original cast. Caleb Ellsworth-Clark easily takes over Erik Per Sullivan’s portrayal of Dewey, even if he looks more like a young Masterson than Sullivan. Vaughan Murrae and Keeley Karsten are both forces to be reckoned with as Malcolm’s younger sister Kelly and daughter Leah respectively, with each bringing a much needed blunt honesty to the family as they keep their relatives on their toes with their wit. Murrae has some wonderful moments opposite Berfield, finding that same mischievous energy that Reese had as a child with a heightened intelligence and independence, while Karsten does a wonderful job of capturing the same energy that Muniz brought to Malcolm in the original series, making Leah feel like Malcolm’s daughter through and through, with a wisdom and curiosity that makes her the best new character of the revival.

 

The hardest part about Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair is that it is only four episodes long, as with the chemistry of the original cast and the return of these unforgettable characters, audiences could easily watch another full fledged season of television featuring Malcolm and his family. With strong writing that not only retains the essence of the character but finds them in a new chapter of life, the dysfunction and chaos of Malcolm's family is alive and well in Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair that helps to deliver some big comedic moments and endearing family values that instantly reminds why the original television series is still looked on fondly by fans almost twenty years after its conclusions. While this four episode revival will have to suffice for now for the return to the beloved sitcom, the outrageous comedic moments and strong performances of Frankie Muniz, Bryan Cranston and Jane Kaczmarek are more than enough to make this revival the hilarious and heartfelt return to Malcolm in the Middle any fan could dream of, ensuring that Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair is both nostalgic and entertaining from start to finish.