Arrested Development Review: A Dysfunctional Family Masterpiece
9/10 — Arrested Development (2003)
Pros
- Layered running gags
- Brilliant ensemble
- Inventive writing
Cons
- Weaker Netflix seasons
- Dense and exhausting
After their father is arrested, the dysfunctional Bluth family struggles to keep their property empire together, with the sensible Michael, played by Jason Bateman, trying to hold them together. It’s narrated by Ron Howard.
What works
The writing is layered with callbacks and visual gags that reward rewatching, and the cast is peerless, including Will Arnett, Jeffrey Tambor and David Cross. The pacing is brisk and the humour is original.
Where it falters
The revival seasons on Netflix were widely seen as weaker, and the dense humour can be exhausting.
Verdict
Inventive, hilarious and endlessly rewatchable in its original run.
