"Hurry up! Sesame Street is embarking on a thrilling adventure filled with excitement and magic in 'The Magical Wand Chase'! Join some of your favorite furry friends like Elmo and Abby Cadabby as they go on a quest to find lost wands and restore the magic to their beloved neighborhood. In this action-packed special, a mischievous magician named Mando accidentally sends all the wands of Sesame Street flying into different segments of the world. With the help of their friends, Elmo and Abby set out on an epic journey across various iconic landmarks including Times Square, the Great Wall of China, and even the pyramids of Egypt. Throughout their quest, they encounter new friends and face challenges that test their problem-solving skills and teamwork. Along the way, they learn valuable lessons about friendship, cooperation, and the power of believing in themselves. Each wand they find adds to the magic of their adventure, making their journey even more enchanting.
REVIEW: Sesame Street’s Magical Wand Chase
Back in July, I shared my belief that Sesame Street is the New Yorkiest television show to ever hit the airwaves. On the subject of the diversity of Sesame Street and its relation to New York City, I said “In New York, you can easily walk from Little Italy to Chinatown to the Bowery, and it’s all seamless. The difference in demographics is quite evident, but there’s very little dividing it all.” At the time, I had no idea that Sesame Workshop was well underway producing a primetime special embracing that very idea, the first Sesame special shot on location in New York in twenty-three years. So naturally, I went into The Magical Wand Chase with high hopes. What I got was a special that wasn’t the best thing Sesame’s ever done, but still had enough to make it enjoyable and worth a watch.
The show opens on Sesame Street, where it’s story time. Everyone is excited to hear Nina read another chapter in a book about globe-trotting adventure in a hot air balloon, but Nina has forgotten her book. Abby offers an alternative: using her magic, she creates balloons for her and her friends to explore the city. So Abby, along with Elmo, Big Bird, Rosita, Grover, and Cookie Monster, fly off for a brief excursion, but when a stray wind knocks them off course, Abby drops her wand, where it’s picked up by a bird, voiced by actress, director, and Scooter-thrower Elizabeth Banks. Thinking it’s just a stick, the bird takes it to use in her new nest, not realizing that when she makes some offhanded wishes, they magically come true. So now the gang has to follow that bird (pun definitely intended, as it is in the special) to try and retrieve Abby’s wand. They land in a park, and travel to different neighborhoods where people of different nationalities await. Some wishes gone awry turn the bird into an elephant, and later a human (played by Banks in a memorable on-screen cameo), making the search more difficult.
I guess I should start with what I didn’t like about the special. While I appreciate the concept of the show and its celebration of the city’s diverse neighborhoods, I wish they could’ve really explored the city more. It seems like they just filmed in different corners of the same park. I just think they could’ve taken the concept further. Speaking of being limited, while they have six characters to play with, it’s really Abby, Elmo, and Rosita’s show. Big Bird is only really in the beginning and end of the special, which is a shame, because having a full-bodied Muppet explore the city can make for some great camera work. Grover and Cookie Monster are also separated from the group, though they have some brief appearances where they mistake different food items for Abby’s wand (and then Cookie Monster disposes of the imposters). Also, this is more of a personal thing, but I find that the special relies too much on computer animated effects, where practical ones would be less jarring. The bird is CG (though the elephant is a full-bodied puppet, looking halfway between Horatio and Bozark), when a puppet would have looked better, and allowed for better interaction (though the decision may have been made to better accommodate Banks’ voiceover, which is understandable). And all of the balloons are also computer generated, even though we’ve seen Muppets in actual hot air balloons before, navigating their way around opening credits.
Now onto what I did like. Banks is clearly having fun with her part, and her on-screen work may be my favorite part of the special. Rosita gets a nice big chunk of a part, which is great, and long overdue for the character. And with Abby, Rosita, and Elmo making up most of the special, we do get to see Elmo be the straight man in some of the comedy, which I can’t say I’ve gotten to see before. (Though get ready to see a lot of Elmo’s confused face.) The elephant looks wonderfully odd, and the puppetry for the character is fun to watch. And it’s worth watching the end credits, which has some very pretty and imaginative artwork, including more beloved characters that aren’t in the special.
But what I loved most of all was the concept of the special. In a time where diversity is more important than ever, this was a great way to show off different cultures and neighborhoods and how they all come together in New York City. And Muppets in the real world can be incredibly fun. I only wish they didn’t have to cram it all into a 45-minute special. This seems like a great idea to run with. (Hey, maybe it would be a great premise for that third feature film we’ve been waiting for!) With a bigger scope (and a budget to match), this could be something really special. But as it stands, this is still a decent special, and one Sesame Street’s target audience will likely enjoy.
Click here to ask “What are the neighborhoods in your neighborhood?” on the ToughPigs forum!
by Matthew Soberman – [email protected]
Sesame Street: The Magical Wand Chase
Abby loses her wand to a curious bird (Elizabeth Banks) and without it, she can't get back to Sesame Street. On the search for the missing wand, Abby, Elmo and the gang visit new neighborhoods on a magical adventure!
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Sesame Street: The Magical Wand Chase
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Each wand they find adds to the magic of their adventure, making their journey even more enchanting. As they travel to different corners of the globe, Elmo and Abby learn about different cultures and traditions, showcasing the diversity of our world. This powerful message of inclusivity and acceptance is seamlessly woven into the playful narrative, teaching young viewers the importance of embracing differences and celebrating unity.
Available on
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Mobile device
Xbox 360
'The Magical Wand Chase' is not just a whimsical journey, but also an educational experience. The characters engage in fun activities and sing catchy songs that reinforce important educational concepts like problem-solving, counting, and shape recognition. By combining entertainment with learning, Sesame Street creates a captivating experience for children of all ages. With its colorful animation and memorable characters, 'The Magical Wand Chase' engages young viewers and sparks their imagination. The vibrant visuals and captivating storyline transport children into a magical world where anything is possible. It encourages creativity and fosters a sense of wonder, reminding kids that adventures await them wherever they go. So, grab your wand and get ready to embark on a magical journey with Elmo, Abby Cadabby, and their friends! 'The Magical Wand Chase' is a celebration of friendship, diversity, and the power of imagination. Through its enchanting storytelling, this Sesame Street special reminds us all that the magic of learning and love can be found wherever we look.".
Reviews for "Exploring the Enchanting World of Sesame Street's Magical Wand Chase"
1. Jennifer - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Sesame Street: The Magical Wand Chase". The storyline felt disjointed and hard to follow, and the characters seemed out of place in certain scenes. The animation also felt outdated and lacking in detail. Overall, it just didn't live up to my expectations and I wouldn't recommend it.
2. Mark - 1 star - "Sesame Street: The Magical Wand Chase" was a huge letdown for me. The plot was weak and predictable, and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. I found it hard to stay engaged throughout the entire show. The songs were also not memorable and didn't have the catchy tunes that I'm used to from Sesame Street. It's a shame because I usually enjoy their content, but this one didn't hit the mark for me at all.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I have always been a fan of Sesame Street, but "The Magical Wand Chase" was a miss for me. The pacing was slow, and the jokes seemed more aimed at younger audiences, not the usual clever humor the show is known for. The guest appearances also felt forced and unnecessary, taking away from the main storyline. I understand that they were trying to introduce some new characters, but it just didn't work in this case. I hope the next Sesame Street production has a stronger narrative and stays true to its beloved characters.
4. Michael - 1 star - I found "Sesame Street: The Magical Wand Chase" to be incredibly boring and uninteresting. The story lacked depth and didn't engage me as an adult viewer. The educational aspect, which is usually a highlight of Sesame Street, was also lacking in this particular production. I much prefer the classic episodes that tackle important social issues and provide valuable lessons. Unfortunately, this one fell flat for me.