FUTURELAND

Now floating above Manhattan, the theme park of the future faces old and new threats alike.

After the events in Atlanta in the series opener, Futureland’s less-than-stellar reputation requires the whole Walker family—preteen tech whiz and detective Cameron, his parents, Uncle Trey, and their assorted robot helpers—to relocate to New York City, leaving behind a life Cam’s become attached to. But when his friend Yusuf stows away under suspicious circumstances, Cam agrees to keep his presence a secret from his parents for now as their flying amusement park home is once again compromised. Whether it’s by a previous foe or someone completely new isn’t always clear, but the Atlanta episode has left a mark on all the Walkers and undermined public trust. Cam’s frustration over wanting to help but no longer being trusted by grown-ups adds a layer of conflict to this thoughtful, compelling addition to a series that’s as grounded in family and friendship as its attractions are elevated in imaginative Afrofuturism. Between Cam’s old and new friends, the ranks of middle school mystery solvers grow just in time to grapple with a callous villain who’s targeting Harlem residents. The savvy and supportive squad of kids ultimately prevails, but an even more ominous baddie looms in the background, suggesting more to come.

A wild ride with high tech, high stakes, and high energy.