User reviews

It lacks the charm of the original shows. The science lessons seem watered down to squeeze in more wow factor and a little politicizing. The kids don't really figure out the lessons anymore but rather are just shown them while the teacher explains. The rest of the world in the show just accepts the magic bus as normal for some reason.

The new Miss Frizzle feels more random than witty. She still makes lots of puns though. The kids don't have personalities anymore. Instead each episode they pick a kid to be the main "lesson learner" that takes something to excess so they can learn about it. It might have something to do with their personality, or it might not.

The technology element they added in is pretty fun, I think the art is good compared to other modern CG cartoons, It's not too bad on it's own as a show. Miss Frizzle still does the Q&A at the end of the show, which is pretty fun.

I don't think it really compares to the original show though. Still I hope they make more and improve on their formula a little.

This Frizzel is a drizzle!!! The students are boring flat and dull. But we did use it to learn a few things.

I do not understand how this can be bad, It's trying to teach children! I also really like the new Flash Animation. I watched the first two episodes the day it came out, and it turned out to be good! I watched another two episodes and it turned out to be really good! I'd give this 7 out of 10.

I have been burned by reboots of favourite shows before (looking at you, guardian code...). By the end of the opening credits, I was sold on Magic School Bus Rides Again. The crew clearly loves the original. Then they hit us with a sweet plot twist!

The kids in this house will certainly be watching!

I understand some people have their issues with this show but McKinnon and her energy she put in the Ms. Frizzle character is really good. I have always loved the magic school bus as a kid and as an adult I admit that I actually like this show as well. I say the kids have a good treat to watch if the adults don't mind McKinnon.

I think that what is getting lost a lot is that when shows are rebooted, it's done for a new audience, not the same old one.

As such, I'm basing my review on the audience for this new show: young kids whose parents and teachers have grown up watching the original.

My kids are 7 and 4. The elder one was initially exposed to Magic School Bus through her teacher showing the original series as a treat during the very rare "pajama day" at school. The younger one was only exposed to the original insofar as the older one wanted to watch *more* Magic School Bus.

They both love the reboot. They ask to watch it over the original, which the older loved, but which the younger hated because it was "too scary". The reason it was too scary? The kids in the original would be yelling in fear over something every two seconds. In the reboot, the children are on the whole more competent and calm, and overall freak out less. When they find themselves in trouble, they try to figure out solutions on their own before appealing to Ms. Frizzle for help. I can see how it's more appealing to young kids who have grown up being told that anyone can do science, and that unexpected events can be an opportunity to problem solve.

As for Ms. Frizzle? I happen to like that she's not a carbon copy of her big sister. Yes, sometimes her puns are very random, but I think it works to give her a personality of her own. Mckinnon doesn't quite disappear into the character as Tomlin did, but I think for my part it's because I was familiar with her voice beforehand, whereas I didn't know Tomlin before watching the original Magic School Bus. My kids have never heard of SNL, so they don't really have any way of recognizing McKinnon's voice, as it should be. To them, she's just "the new teacher".

If you have kids between 5-9, they'll probably enjoy it regardless of whether they love the original or not.

This is a poor remake of a classic. Voice work is disappointing, lessons are watered down. The characters are made to all be cookie cutter perfect instead of individuals. Sure different colors but their bodies are all the same and Ms. Friz is young and obnoxious. Miss the quirky wonderfulness.

Stick with the original.

The energy Kate McKinnen puts into the role of the new teacher is amazing! Feels just as good as the old show. This is educational television that actually works. It also has ethical lessons that are just subtle enough that kids have to work them though on their own leading to better understanding and retention and the Carlos jokes are AWESOME! (like a bad dad joke)

The Keisha and Tim I grew up with were dark skinned and black-haired. They were not mixed or fair skinned. Why the change? The educational quality of the show is ok, but this flaw stands out like a sore thumb. What gives?!

Great reboot! Better then the old one, they took out the really annoying catchphrases.

I watched the original Magic School Bus all the time when I was a kid, and... WHY did they flatten, remove, and add characters. In the original, each character had his/her distinct personality that played an important role in each episode, now every episode revolves around one character with the rest just there. Plus, why'd they change/remove Kiesha and Tim, two dark skinned character, and now have none. That seems like a step-down in diversity. WHY use Flash animations!!! They look so flat and boring, and to make up for that, they make all movements bouncy and unnatural. The old animation looked so nice, and the difficulty of true animation keeps weak ideas from ever being animated and released! I think the height of animation was the 90s, with shows like Magic School Bus, and Disney movies like Mulan and Tarzan. WHY are the lesson so bluntly obvious. This is a trend I see in new kid shows, and it kinda stinks. Rather than trying to fit a lesson INTO the story. (which requires decent writing) Kid show writers instead make a flashy, interesting story, and then just add 5 minutes of dry lessons into the show to explain it all. WHY does Netflix keep trying to dug at our nostalgic heart strings so we watch them? Netflix has been making a lot nostalgic tv-shows. Some of them just feel rushed, hoping that the classic name will save them.

Now, as much as I like the modernization of the show, it will seem very dated within a few years, compared to the original. I can only think of one episode from the original that is truly outdated, the computer one. But many episodes of the new one contain unnecessary ties to pop culture that will out date it quicker than you can say "why." 2/10

I remember watching the old series while eating breakfast, getting ready for another day of elementary school, and was excited during science class when the teacher turned down the lights, hit play and everyone watched the episode based on the subject we were learning.

It was great fun while it lasted, sad though that the series was over, the show no longer aired, though those who enjoyed the old series purchased the DVDs that were released in store, but after all these years, to see a trailer for the new series, the kid inside that grew up groomed down as I fell in love with the series once it was finally released on the 29th on Netflix.

As for my thoughts, I love the new animation, much better then the old cell animation with the old series. So much can be done now, new styles that could't be done before with the classic series. The class, love how each character was redesigned, maintaining the characteristics, skin and hair color to the previous series and the plots, technology, the creators went with the modern day then old school. The music, especially in the introduction really brought back memories, and I loved the new voice. The only negative thing I would have to say that could be done was at the end of the intro, show what the episode was going to be, the title, like with the old series. That is my only concern, but as for the plot itself, it definitely follows and flows the same way with the classic, especially at the end where Ms. Frizzle "Sr" answers questions the audience has, and even gives clues as to what the next episode would be.

I would defiantly say that with this new series, the new generation of young kinds that are anxious for learning, fun, and excitement will love this series like I do and will want to continue to watch and know what will happen next in the exciting adventures of "The Magic School Bus Rides Again.

Bring back the old show. Show it to a new audience. Done. The original was great. My three boys watched all the episodes, growing up, and yes, learned something but were innocently entertained, as well. Back before political correctness. Each character was unique and likable It didn't need remaking - unless you are simply providing 'work' for Hollywood.

My whole childhood gets a new chance and I always wondered what it would be like to have two frizzles and now I know how much fun it is in fact I'm convinced that Fiona frizzle was getting her teachers degree while her older sister Valerie was still teaching the kids in the original series my childhood memories of wanting to have a teacher like that haven't even faded to this day even though I'm a 27 adult women please keep this show going strong because I can't stop watching the last episode of season 2 that's hinting there's more to come so as Mrs frizzle would say take chances make mistakes get messy and make that third season happen

Great show love all the science. They didn't change it too much from the original series so it's very nostalgic. My only complaint is that they measure everything in imperial - Fahrenheit. The ENTIRE world aside from the US and a couple very small nations use Celsius, including the ENTIRE science community outside the US. At the very least use both measurements so everyone that doesn't live in the US can understand the science a little more clearly.

The show is great my kids love it but it does lack the bubbly charm of the fast talking teacher of the original! Seems to go at a much slower pace for the sink in effect but its a good show still. I love mckinnon so it's all good.

I'm always pressing my youngest to watch educational programming if she's going to be planted in front of the TV. She watches the episodes multiple times and loves absorbing the information and then sharing with and educating unsuspecting adults.

Love the work by Kate McKinnon and guest stars.

They ruined everything from The Magic School Bus. It has awful writing, awful art style, and awful voice directions. They are not staying faithful to the original.

Looking for an entertaining, educational and nostalgic TV series on DVD? Well, then the Magic School Bus Rides Again: All About Earth! is perfect for you. Although it is targeted toward a younger audience, I still found myself attentive and interested in the story lines. Each episode has a fun adventure, mixed with an enthusiastic learning experience. It reminds me of how much I liked reading the original The Magic School Bus books when I was younger.

In the four episodes on this DVD, "Pigs in the Wind," "Hides and Seeks," "The Tales Glaciers Tell," and "Tim and the Talking Trees," the characters learn about the Earth's patterns and ways of communicating and how it's important to take care of the Earth. They also learn about wind patterns, how animals camouflage, how oxygen and carbon is preserved in glaciers for thousands of years and how ecosystems communicate with each other. And they also see many sights from different time periods and places that make amazing field trips.

My favorite episode is "Hides and Seeks," especially when half of the kids get to travel to different geographic locations and study animals camouflaging to report back to the other half of the kids. We see animals in the environmental atmosphere blending in, and in contrast we see the kids in their game of hide and seek. This show is for younger audiences, but some of the concepts are explained too quickly for me to grasp and won't make sense to everyone. A few characters are pretty different from the book, which makes them unique in this TV show. The voicing of the characters is realistic and fitting for their personalities. Although there is some repetition in ideas and story lines, it isn't enough to make the show any less fun to watch. I would definitely watch this show in my free time just for fun.

One of the messages in this series is love the earth and to protect it. This inspires people to preserve the wildlife and habitats. We are also shown that you can always find fun in learning and it's easier to learn when you get an inside look and explore things on your own, instead of read about them in a textbook. Sometimes the kids in the show find themselves in a scary situation, but they are never in grave danger. Apart from some concepts being a little hard to understand this series is pretty kid friendly great for school-aged kids.

I give this DVD 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 to 13. Adults and teenagers may enjoy it too. Reviewed by Rosemary K., KIDS FIRST!

There is nothing so challenging as filling a competent person's shoes.

Though, some people don't care - or worse, don't know any better (see other SNL alum Jimmy Fallon).

It is clear that Lilly Tomlin is no longer with the show - the wit (and much of the education) is lost.

If you grew up with Adventure Time maybe you might like the show? But somehow it's less educational than that.

All the charm of the original series is as gone as Little Richard.

The second star is only of merit for honor off what the show SHOULD have been and once was.

Why? Because my kid loves it! He is entertained by it. He is learning and I couldn't ask for anything better. I loved the original one, but that was my time. Let these little ones have their shows. Can't see how a show that is meant to educate be bad. truly hope a 3rd season is in the making.