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4400
By Melissa Camacho,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Sci-fi reboot has mystery and social commentary.
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4400
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What's the Story?
A reboot of the The 4400, 4400 revolves around a group of people that mysteriously vanished over the past century, and what happens when they suddenly reappear. It's 2021, and 4400 people, many of whom had gone missing over the last 100 years, are suddenly dropped from the sky into a Detroit park. Among them are new mom and attorney Shanice Murray (Brittany Adebumola), party girl LaDonna (Khailah Johnson), and smooth talking Reverend Isaiah Johnson (Derrick A. King). Also among them is Dr. Andre (TL Thompson), who practiced medicine in in the early 1900s, a 1950s Civil Rights activist named Claudette (Jaye Ladymore), and a young hippie named Mildred (Autumn Best). They haven't aged since the day they disappeared, and have no memory of what happened to them. Even more strange is the fact that some of them seem to have supernatural powers. As they try to make sense of what's happening to them, they must also cope with the fact that the U.S. government wants to control their every move, while folks like corrections officer Keisha Taylor (Ireon Roach) and social worker Jharrel Mateo (Joseph-David Jones) try to figure out who they are, and what will happen to them next.
Is It Any Good?
The adaptation of the cult thriller offers viewers a mysterious plot line and lots of contemporary social commentary. Set in Detroit (vs. the original location of Seattle), it features a diverse ensemble cast, and uses it to bring heightened attention to the fact that systemic racism and social inequity exists in 2021, despite a century of political and social changes. It's not a subtle approach, but situating the supernatural events that transpire within this context doesn't take away from 4400's original premise. Overall, it's an entertaining science fiction series, and one that doesn't shy away from offering an uncomfortable message about the times we live in.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about adapting a classic or popular TV series from the past to entertain a new generation of viewers. How can changes be made to entertain new audiences without sacrificing what made the show entertaining in the first place?
Science fiction movies and TV shows often offer social commentary about contemporary issues. What are some of the different ways that 4400 does this throughout the series?
TV Details
- Premiere date: October 25, 2021
- Cast: Brittany Adebumola , TL Thompson , Jaye Ladymore
- Network: CW
- Genre: Science Fiction
- Character Strengths: Teamwork
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Last updated: August 5, 2022
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