Fuller House Pilot Review

I've been anxiously awaiting the release of the new Netflix original series Fuller House since it was initially announced last year. Today is the release, and I excitedly watched the pilot this morning, despite being low on my available internet usage (thank you, Comcast, for being totally evil and imposing data limits in areas where you have a monopoly.) 

The pilot did not disappoint. With nearly all of the original cast making an appearance and several beloved catchphrases returning, the pilot established the new plot nicely without going overboard on the nostalgia.

It's clear the actors were happy to reprise their roles and a few out of character chuckles are visible in the first few moments as the studio audience goes crazy when Danny and Jessie make their first appearances. Aside from a pointed (and admittedly hilarious) look at the camera while explaining Michelle's absence, the fourth wall remains intact and the show proceeds in a more typical format.

I loved Full House as a kid, but found it a little cheesy in re-runs as an adult. I was both excited and had a little trepidation about the reboot. Once I saw the teaser trailers, I was sold and my excitement began mounting. I love that DJ's last name is Fuller, thus the new title. I'm a sucker for puns! 

There is a lot of quick exposition explaining who lives where with whom and why, since it's been so long since the original aired. But it's handled smoothly. The least smoothe explainer is Steve, but that fits a little with his character. 

It's crazy to see how much everyone has changed. The new opening sequence shows the now adult actors as children and teens, and a split screen is used a couple of times during the episode to highlight similarities between then and now.

Any overly exaggerated characteristics have been dulled, as they may have with age in anyone, such as with Kimmy and Steve. They still have their quirks, but they've mellowed with age.

As with any show with the premise of family and friends moving in after a tragedy, there are certain occurrences that would be unlikely in any real life. But because these are beloved characters on a beloved set, I'm willing to suspend my disbelief. 

It's been a long time since I've seen a Full House episode, but there wasn't anything I felt I was missing (with the exception of Danny- did he get married in the original series? He has a wife now, but I didn't remember her). Regardless, there's no need to re-watch the original series before watching the new one.

The pilot was enjoyable to watch and I'm looking forward to continuing the Tanner-Fuller-Gibbler storyline and seeing how things change.

Have you watched it yet? What are your thoughts? Share them in the comments!