Two years ago, Bel-Air, a dramatic remake of the beloved classic comedy “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” was widely anticipated. Morgan Cooper, a Kansas City native, began reimagining the pop culture fixture with a fan film he uploaded to YouTube in 2019. The film generated so much buzz that Will Smith joined as an executive producer. And the success of the first season, not to mention glowing reviews of the show’s depiction of class tensions — as well as new takes on Hillary as a culinary influencer and Carlton as a struggling, undercover addict — resulted in a second season and now a third.
Bel-Air season 3 begins the summer for the Banks family, following the explosive season 2 finale, which revealed Carlton’s addiction and appeared to secure Will’s future. Despite having similar names and locations, Bel-Air has successfully established its unique identity and cast of characters, despite drawing inspiration from Will Smith’s groundbreaking The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Season three has so far offered three episodes that are stimulating, lively, and real; these stories shed light on the wide range of challenges that people of color face, no matter where they are from or who they are.
Bel-Air season 2 saw Carlton reveal his drug habit after acting cruelly to his youngest sister, Ashley. Philip appears to be getting his business in order, only to have Erika come in and cause chaos, and Will fixes the issues with Doc and the basketball team. Season 3 continues to build on these storylines and get the characters through trials in a way that is both engaging and true to who they are.
Does Bel-Air and The Fresh Prince’s Story have the Same Plot?
People would undoubtedly draw comparisons between the two shows because of the show’s central characters and premise, which are based on the popular comedy from the 1990s, but it’s clear after three seasons that these are not the same. Bel-Air is blazing its trail, making for a thoughtful and reflective program that gives us a deep understanding of the lives of various characters fighting to be their best versions.
The Banks family continues to face personal struggles despite their wealth and status because they are perceived as selfish, generous, and ignorant by some while being praised for their achievements and respected for their hard work by others. As the family navigates the consequences of their decisions, Season 3 of the show keeps developing this story.
Will and Ashley are examining how they can keep progressing toward their futures, while Hilary, Carlton, Philip, and Vivian are grappling with decisions that have put them in a challenging position. The show keeps showing heartwarming, genuine moments between a family that tries its hardest to move forward and wants to do the right thing by one another.
Does Bel-Air Season 3 have a new appeal?
Originally designed as a trailer by Morgan Cooper, which gave the concept of “The Fresh Prince” a melancholic, dramatic makeover, the show as it currently stands has been tweaked so that, while it undoubtedly tackles some difficult subjects (addiction, estranged parents, difficult relationships among them), “Bel-Air” also leaves room for humor, with Jabari Banks playing the lead character Will Smith, a street kid from West Philadelphia who continues to try and make life work in the glitzy surroundings of Bel-Air.
Despite having grown up abroad, Will gains acceptance among the wealthy and influential, carrying his athletic background with him.
Does Bel-Air Create Baseless Drama Just for the Sake?
Nevertheless, for a drama to achieve its maximum potential, it must feel as though the new issues are relevant to the characters and consistent with the plot. Bel-Air is generally successful in this regard, but there are sporadic instances where it just shows uncomfortable circumstances and poor decisions—which feel out of character for certain people—without helping to advance or deepen the character.
The characters, their circumstances, and their decisions make sense for the most part. However, Bel-Air season 3 keeps up a tradition of overcomplicating situations. For instance, Bel-Air significantly enhances Hilary’s intelligence and self-awareness compared to her 1990s counterpart, but the program encourages her to make careless and rash decisions.
Bel-Air could greatly enhance the plot by delving deeper into the motivations behind the characters’ choices instead of having them all follow a predetermined path. Nevertheless, it is worthwhile to watch the show because it provokes strong emotional reactions and reflection. And if Bel-Air can balance drama and lighter moments in the remaining seven episodes, the show’s summertime setting might make this season the most enjoyable yet.
Bel Air Season 3: Screenplay and Direction
In this third season, co-showrunners Carla Banks-Waddles, T.J. Brady, and Rasheed Newson plan to mostly maintain various stories in their current state, with little intention of making significant changes.
Among the group? Will’s endeavor to achieve greater success off the basketball court, his cousin Carlton Banks’ (Olly Sholotan) experiences’ after completing treatment for drug addiction, Carlton’s sister Hillary (Coco Jones) juggling her romantic life with her work as an influencer, and the parents of the Banks children, Philip (Adrian Holmes) and Vivian (Cassandra Freeman) resolving their problems, which in this third season include the recently brought-up subject of infidelity.
The problems arise because they are not the show’s only characters to manage. Other characters include Jimmy Akingbola’s character, Geoffrey Thompson, a trusted advisor and fixer, who has a plot involving his estranged son’s visitation and how it connects to his past in British gangland.
Will’s pal Jazz, his financial difficulties running his record store, as well as the numerous romantic partners of the younger characters. That means that, at least initially, people tend to overlook people like Ashley, the younger Banks sibling played by Akira Akbar.
The directing team, which includes Keesha Sharp and John Scott, manages to keep everything looking good. However, the demands of a streaming service in the 2020s are very different from those of a multi-camera sitcom in the 1990s.
The Cast Performances of Bel-Air Season 3
Bel-Air has a large cast, and while not all of them are given massive enough storylines to get their teeth into, they are all solid performers.
I. Jabari Banks Portrays Will Smith
Despite having a more dramatic plot, Banks, who plays most of the story, has shown himself to be a captivating actor who captures the likeability of Smith in the part. Though he’s generally a watchable anchor for the show, there are moments when he can’t handle certain more complex emotions.
II. Olly Sholotan Plays Carlton Banks
In contrast to the humorous character Carlton from the original series, known for his goofy wardrobe choices and the awkward dance that bore his name, “Bel-Air” portrays Carlton as a much more serious character driven by ambition and tormented by personal issues. With his convincing shine, Sholotan proves to be more than capable of handling the role.
III. Jimmy Akingbola Plays Geoffrey Thompson
Like the Carlton character, the original Geoffrey served primarily as a vehicle for sharp, satirical commentary and humor. He’s more likely to be seen in “Bel-Air,” looking into criminal activity or being skilled with his fists. Geoffrey plays more of a supporting role, similar to the sitcom version, but Akingbola is such a likably endearing actor that he makes the most of it.
IV. Other significant characters
The rest of the Banks family also has a role to play. Parents Philip and Vivian, who are more than capable of handling the drama this season due to concerns about their careers and the stability of their marriage, are brought into the spotlight more than usual. Although Hilary and Ashley’s characters are mainly isolated in their narratives, they occasionally interact with one another.
Undoubtedly, the third season exhibits several challenges. As the ensemble has grown, giving everyone a piece of the valuable real estate narrative has become increasingly difficult. A few episodes later, situations that appeared difficult and dramatic at one point are resolved quickly, which is a problem with some storylines. But when it matters, “Bel-Air” takes the lead.
About Bel-Air
Bel-Air is an American drama television series developed by Morgan Cooper, Malcolm Spellman, TJ Brady, and Rasheed Newson. It is a reimagined version of the 90s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air . In March 2023, it was renewed for a third season.
The series stars Jabari Banks as Will Smith, with Adrian Holmes, Cassandra Freeman, Coco Jones, Olly Sholotan, Jimmy Akingbola, Akira Akbar, Jordan L Jones, and Simone Joy Jones.
The story follows Will Smith’s complicated journey from the streets of West Philadelphia to the gated mansions of Bel-Air. It dives deep into racial tension, culture shock, and black excellence.
No Comments on ‘Bel-Air’ Season 3 Review: Skip or Watch