This is a spoiler-free review of the first two episodes of The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, which premiere on Disney+ on Feb. 23.
The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder is the latest revival of a classic show that aired during the early 2000s. And while reboots or sequel series can be hit or miss, Louder and Prouder retains the charm of the original series with its own modern spin, even if that modern take is too in your face at times.
The Disney+ show is a continuation of the Disney Channel series that aired from 2001 to 2005. Like its predecessor, it focuses on Penny Proud, a 14-year-old girl voiced by Kyla Pratt, and her family as they navigate their lives amid modern-age trends like social media, smartphones, influencer culture, and yes, even cryptocurrency.
Fans of the original will be happy to know that all the characters you remember are back for this revival. From the goofball Proud patriarch Oscar (Tommy Davidson) to Penny’s friends like Dijonay (Karen Malina White) to frenemy LaCienega Boulevardez (Alisa Reyes), the DNA of the first show is all here, with performances and writing sticking true to their characters.
Some characters from the original series, though, have seen a few changes. Luckily, it’s for the better in the cases of players like the Gross Sisters, the local neighborhood bullies, and Michael (EJ Johnson). It’s tough to delve into specifics without getting into spoiler territory, but rest assured the touch-ups aren’t so drastic as to be unrecognizable from the original; instead, they’re mostly positive and help amplify certain aspects for the better.
Louder and Prouder is still funny and goofy, but also very much set in current times.
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That said, we are introduced to some entirely new characters, such as Maya Lebowitz-Jenkins (Keke Palmer) and her brother, KG (“A Boogie” Dubose). These new additions fit naturally into the show’s world and help usher in that modern spin that the revival is going for. While it is still too early to tell how important Maya will become and what her dynamic with Penny will be throughout the series, based on the two episodes made available to critics, it appears she may take on more of that frenemy role that was once LaCienega’s. Yet, early impressions tell me she won't just be another carbon copy of that wealthy bully, but rather someone to challenge Penny in ways that have the potential to question her perspective and moral compass.
Louder and Prouder is still funny and goofy, but also very much set in current times – so much so that it became overbearing. Most notably, the first installment of the two-episode premiere had so many instances that screamed “hey, look, we’re in the 2020s now!” that it was more annoying than genuine. Whether it was references to trendy songs from the last several years or incredibly cheesy TikTok slang, the attempts at modern hipness fell flat. Still, this is the first episode of a series that has been off the air for nearly two decades, so a bit of this is understandable; I just hope that future episodes will not take such a heavy-handed approach to pop culture references.
Thankfully, episode two feels a lot closer to the original series and gave me hope that Louder and Prouder will respect the original’s framework while addressing modern issues that face American teenagers. Without going too deep into spoilers, this episode focuses on the intriguing premise of Penny becoming an influencer. This episode was easily the stronger of the two, as it provided a lot of thoughtful commentary on social media and the pros and cons of finding fame online. If more episodes of Louder and Prouder are like the second one, it should stand to become a worthy successor to the original series.
With how much has changed since the original Proud Family series ended in 2005 – and how different it is to be an American teenager today – the revival has plenty of potential to address heavier subjects while still being a light-hearted experience full of laughs. We’ll have to wait and see, but hopefully, the shift from traditional cable to Disney’s streaming service will allow Louder and Prouder the creative freedom to address more serious issues facing its audience – while keeping that, fittingly, loud and proud spirit, of course.
Verdict
The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder’s first two episodes show a lot of potential. While the first left me a bit nervous with its heavy-handed attempts at modern-day hipness, the second showed me what this revival can achieve through well-written commentary and how it could more naturally address current trends for teenagers. While it is too early to tell whether or not it truly lives up to the legacy of the original series, the two-episode premiere largely signals that Louder and Prouder is on its way to becoming a revival series done right.
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