I really enjoyed watching the new TV series, Me because it offers a take that I could relate to on tween and teenage years and the ups and downs of discovering who you are.
When 12-year-old Ben (Lucian-River Chauhan) moves in with a new father and stepsister after his mother (Dilshad Valsaria) remarries, his life turns upside down. As Ben is adjusting to a new school and new friends he suddenly realizes he has the ability to shapeshift into anyone around him! The only problem is, he can't control when it happens and who he becomes. Ben and his stepsister Max (Abigail Pniowsky) attempt to discover what triggers the shift and uncover the truth about his abilities, discovering much bigger secrets along the way.
The creators of Me had a brilliant idea and flawlessly executed it. It's not every day we get to see a tween superhero. Me has just the right ratio of fantasy to real life that makes it relatable to tween and teenage viewers. For example, Ben struggles with being bullied, which unfortunately many kids can relate to. He faces the dilemma of whether or not he should use his powers to shapeshift into and expose the bully, Jason, because doing so would mean bullying another kid. The right decision is not always clear, especially to young people, because we are still learning from our experiences. Even though Ben has these extraordinary abilities, in many ways he is in the same boat as the rest of us, discovering who he is, what his values and beliefs are, and how to do the right thing. The "superhero" aspect of Ben's life is balanced by his age. Another feature of the show that caught my attention are the special effects, especially during the storm. The combination of the sight, sound, the actors' reactions, and especially the angle from which it is shot makes it feel three-dimensional, as though you are standing inside the tornado. Special effects are also used to show the special abilities of some of the other characters, such as levitation and the ability to shoot ice on command. Superhero fans will enjoy this aspect of the show, plus it contains fast-paced battle scenes, acts of magic, and an interesting subplot following the secret society of PEOPLE behind Ben's abilities.
The show's message is that we are always learning about ourselves and discovering who we are. Your identity is unique and you should embrace who you are because there is no other person like you. No one can be you better than you can be. Be aware that this show contains many scenes of bullying, both verbal and mild physical violence, but no blood is shown.
I give Me 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 10 to 18, plus adults. Me releases on Apple TV on July 21, 2024. By Ella S., KIDS FIRST!
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