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Malibu Rescue: The Series
By Emily Ashby,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Teen snarkiness overwhelms beach-set underdog story.
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Malibu Rescue: The Series
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Based on 1 parent review
What's the Story?
MALIBU RESCUE is the story of a team of junior beach rescuers who try to fit in among -- and ultimately outperform -- their snobby Malibu counterparts. When Tyler (Ricardo Hurtago), Gina (Breanna Yde), Lizzie (Abby Donnelly), and Eric (Alkoya Brunson) arrive to assume their post in the coast's Tower 2, their team leader, Dylan (Jackie R. Jacobson), has high hopes that the outsiders from the Valley can prove their worth to the other teams and impress the Junior Rescue Program leader, Gavin (Ian Ziering). But with other rescuers thwarting their best efforts at every turn and personnel issues even among themselves, that promises to be a monumental challenge.
Is It Any Good?
What initially hints at being an inspirational underdog story quickly devolves into a cesspool of teenage snarkiness and stereotyping that torpedoes the show. The Valley kids are at an immediate disadvantage in their new surroundings, and no one -- not even the adult director and supposed role model -- seems willing to give them a fair chance at success. As they steel themselves against the barrage of verbal taunts, cruddy tasks, and uppity behavior of their co-workers, Dylan and her crew struggle to fit in and excel.
Malibu Rescue: The Series misses a prime opportunity to foster positive themes of tolerance and fairness among teens in a show that's geared toward the tween set. Instead of showing its diverse characters overcoming their differences, it relegates them to stringent, one-dimensional attitudes and actions that sabotage any challenges to stereotypes. The bottom line? There are better picks for this age group than a show that presents teen and working relationships like this.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what Malibu Rescue: The Series seems to say about teens and stereotypes. Is it ever fair to judge someone by their hometown or background? If not, why is there an impulse to do so? How do you strive to overcome stereotypes that others might use to define you or that might lead you to judge others?
Which characters (if any) show a willingness to change toward tolerance in this story? Why is it important to respect diversity? When have you found differences among people to have a positive effect?
What examples of positive qualities like perseverance do you see in this story? Who stands out as a positive role model and why? Can negative role models be as instructive as positive ones?
TV Details
- Premiere date: June 3, 2019
- Cast: Breanna Yde , Ricardo Hurtado , Abby Donnelly
- Network: Netflix
- Genre: Comedy
- Topics: High School
- TV rating: TV-G
- Last updated: February 18, 2023
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
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