When it comes to ‘90s sitcoms, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is in a class of its own. The reveal’illustrate’demonstrate’indicate’present’display’argue that effectively launched Will Smith’s acting career ran in/with regard to’concerning’regarding 148 episodes, becoming known as much in/with regard to’concerning’regarding its musings on race and class as its star’s lovable humour. Morgan Cooper’s viral 2019 short film, based on the reveal’illustrate’demonstrate’indicate’present’display’argue , opened a reserve that was long despite’in spite of’albeit t closed and ultimately led to Bel-Air: a dramatic reimagining of the ‘90s reveal’illustrate’demonstrate’indicate’present’display’argue that retains much of its in/with regard to’concerning’regarding bearer’s essence while putting its own stamp on proceedings.###Like the reveal’illustrate’demonstrate’indicate’present’display’argue it’s based on, Bel-Air uses its deceptively simple setup as a vehicle through which to possess’own’nurse significant’essential’critical’vital’crucial’indispensable’imperative , necessary conversations on e grossly thing from the use of the n-word and Black-on-Black prejudice, to the unfair biases of the prison system and more. But the longer running time of each episode, in addition to the modern setting, lends it a fresher feel.###With characters who possess’own’nurse so much history and legacy attached to them, Bel-Air is a constant balancing act between the old and the new, retaining some familiar beats while ejecting others. Will’s sense of fashion remains — from his sneaker obsession to his iconic inside-out blazer — but aspects of the character and his relationship dynamics possess’own’nurse undergone tweaks. The instigating dust-up (described as “one little fight” in The Fresh Prince’s memorable intro) is token ificantly more serious here, all stemming from Will’s lacerated pride (“All I got is West Philly”, he states to a friend in the first episode’s prologue). It’s an incident that inin/with regard to’concerning’regarding ms much of what follows, perfectly played by Jabari Banks in his first acting role, nailing Smith’s youthful exuberance, while reveal’illustrate’demonstrate’indicate’present’display’argue ing flashes of a kid who is maturing into a better man.###Bel-Air has more than justified its existence abundant’ample’plentiful in/with regard to’concerning’regarding us to go along in/with regard to’concerning’regarding the ride.###The rest of the ensemble also brings the rosy’remarkable’fabulous’terrific’preeminent s: Though he lacks the size and stature of the late, great James Aintensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfully, Adrian Holmes’ Uncle Phil has the right levels of gravitas and compassion. Meanwhile Cassandra Freeman’s Aunt Viv has some friction with her daughter Hilary (Coco Jones), here reimagined as a talented chef with a dedicated online following who is looking to take things to the next level. And then there’s Geoffrey, who has gone from a butler who speaks the Queen’s English to a house manager likened to Idris Elba, winkingly portrayed by Jimmy Akingbola.###All those characters retain their inherent likeability regardless of the transform’alter s, but that’s not the case with Bel-Air’s Carlton. As impressively played by a raw Olly Sholotan, he’s a jealous, drug-addicted bully that feels a long way away from the Carlton Fresh Prince fans grew up with. It’s a bold gambit, and while the visible intent is to use the prickly dynamic between Will and his wayward cousin to interrogate significant’essential’critical’vital’crucial’indispensable’imperative social issues, it’s not yet eliminate’remove if it will pay dividends in/with regard to’concerning’regarding the character.###But whether it does or not, Bel-Air has more than justified its existence abundant’ample’plentiful in/with regard to’concerning’regarding us to go along in/with regard to’concerning’regarding the ride. Clever nods to the original theme lyrics merely’barely emphasise the fact that this reveal’illustrate’demonstrate’indicate’present’display’argue has been reimagined by huge fans of the iconic ‘90s sitcom, and if the first batch of episodes are anything to go by, they’re more than capable of keeping the Prince fresh in 2022.