After a ten year hiatus, Disney took to its wings with the return of the hit series That’s So Raven, now titled That’s So Raven: Nevermore, on April 1, 2017. In the sequel, Disney boldly replaced Raven Symone’s character with the perfect role model for metaphysically-inclined children: Edgar Allan Poe.

The reboot begins in Baltimore, following the young Poe (played by the impeccable Michael Cera) and his friendly raven (narrated by Shia LaBoeuf) who predicts the future and whispers his predictions into the young Poe’s ear. Both raven and man transverse the trials and tribulations of the early 1800s, including working as a poet, avoiding tuberculosis, and battling with the ghostly lover Lenore (Jamie Lynn Spears), while being haunted by Poe’s two comic mothers, Elizabeth Poe (Olivia Newton-John) and Fanny Allan (John Travolta).

The show outdoes recent dark television series’ — think A Series of Unfortunate Events — at their own game; it wins the most depressing television show on the air. However, fear not, because the masterpiece still appeals to children through the zany episodes which involve Poe comically bricking people into cellars, finding neverending anatomically correct models of hearts under his floor, and even, in the series’ overwhelmingly climactic finale, contemplating life in an ancient torture pit. Add in the witty comments of the raven and Disney has a recipe for success.

I admit that, looking at his previous track record, I worried over Michael Cera’s performance as Poe, but the young actor surpassed all of my expectations. He perfectly blended his usual awkward geekiness with the depression of a young boy who lost all of his loved ones and became inspired with death. Plus, the moustache fits him.

LaBoeuf takes his vocal talents to the raven, dropping his voice two octaves to fit the tone of the show, but continuing to deliver line after line with his trademark eccentric flair. Spears also made her positive children’s television comeback as the macabre but cheerful Lenore, who starts a bit obsessive over Poe but eventually brings back the endearing romance everyone missed from the classic Zoey 101. Furthermore, Newton-John and Travolta once again form the perfect team, breaking out into song every once in awhile to reminisce on the “Summer Nights” before they died from tuberculosis.

Disney definitively improved the classic show with this new twist. What more could any young lover of television want than clairvoyant ravens and a constant reminder that everyone they love will soon become a ghost? That’s So Raven: Nevermore will certainly have viewers dying for more.

The Chant’s grade: I’m “Raven” About It

April Fool’s, you fool!

XOXO, The Chant