The Bittersweet Revelations of Rediscovering Lizzie McGuire, Nearly Two Decades Later

Article Overview

The sound effects and editing in

Lizzie McGuire

can be overwhelming and sometimes take away from the actual story.

The fashion trends from the early 2000s featured on the show, although charming in a nostalgic sense, can also appear cheap and out of style. The inclusion of former pop star Aaron Carter on the show now evokes mixed feelings, serving as a reminder of his unfortunate demise.

While Lizzie McGuire remains a beloved Disney Channel original series even after 19 years since its finale, rewatching it reveals a few harsh realities. Starring Hilary Duff as the iconic title character, Lizzie McGuire aired from 2001 to 2004 and even had its own movie released in theaters. Throughout the series, Lizzie navigates the complexities of junior high, encompassing friendships, family dynamics, crushes, and everything in between.

On the whole, Lizzie McGuire still maintains its charm by striking a balance between heartwarming moments and imparting important life lessons while also incorporating outrageous antics and playful humor. However, there are certain elements of both the series and the Lizzie McGuire movie that haven't aged well or live up to the greatness they once had.

8. The Over-The-Top Sound Effects & Editing Are A Lot

They often take away from Lizzie McGuire's plot

Due to its nature as a children's show, Lizzie McGuire incorporated amusing sounds to complement its vibrant visuals and comical mishaps. While the use of cartoonish sound effects and rapid editing can be seen as a deliberate stylistic choice, they can become overwhelming at certain moments. The series features a plethora of dizzying transitions, montage-like sequences, accelerated clips, and playful background songs scattered throughout. However, these elements occasionally detract from the core narrative.

7. The Early 2000s Wardrobe Is Often Outdated & Tacky

Many of Lizzie and Miranda's outfits were tacky even in the 2000s

Although the Y2K fashion trend has made a comeback among Gen Z, not all the outfits seen on Lizzie McGuire have aged gracefully. The fashion landscape of the early 2000s was marked by chaos, and the characters' wardrobes reflect that. Lizzie and Miranda often gravitate towards vibrant colors, clashing patterns, and quirky hairstyles, which may evoke nostalgia and cuteness. However, there are instances where their fashion choices raise eyebrows, even when considering the fashion trends of that era.

6. Aaron Carter's Christmas Episode Cameo Is Heartbreaking Now

It's now a reminder that the pop star is gone

Former pop star Aaron Carter portrayed himself in the first season of Lizzie McGuire in an episode titled "Here Comes Aaron Carter." The plot revolves around Lizzie, Miranda, Gordo, and Matt attempting to sneak onto the set of Carter's Christmas-themed music video for the song "I Want Candy." At the time, having the heartthrob make a guest appearance was a brilliant move, as Carter was the ideal celebrity for Lizzie to fawn over. He was a rising star who resonated with the show's target audience and shared the same age as the main characters. As Lizzie and Miranda playfully comment, "He's cute, he's talented, and he's only 13!"

Regrettably, Aaron Carter passed away on November 5, 2022, at a young age of 34. This fact lends a bittersweet sentiment to revisiting this episode, particularly since his demise occurred at such a tender age. Even after 22 years, his brief romantic moment with Lizzie, when they share a kiss under the mistletoe, remains endearing. However, the episode now serves as a melancholic reminder of Carter's absence.

5. Gordo's Superiority Complex Is Annoying

His pretentious attitude is no longer endearing

Adam Lamberg portrays David "Gordo" Gordon, a close friend of Lizzie and eventually her romantic interest. Gordo is characterized as intelligent, clever, and slightly cynical, which initially made him endearing in the early days of Lizzie McGuire. However, upon revisiting the series years later, Gordo appears pretentious, as he tends to behave older and more mature than his actual age.

4. Lizzie McGuire Only Lasted Two Seasons

Gordo consistently complains about his peers' relentless pursuit of popularity, particularly criticizing Lizzie and Miranda for their efforts to seek attention from boys like Ethan Craft and elevate their social status. Despite not making any effort to conceal his belief of being superior to others, Gordo would likely deny this if confronted. Although he occasionally exhibits humor, Gordo imbues many scenes with a negative energy.

The series ended for a surprising reason

Lizzie McGuire, the beloved show that left a lasting impact on millennials, surprisingly only ran for two seasons. However, the reason for its early end was not due to cancellation, but rather Disney's unwillingness to provide Hilary Duff with a higher salary. Despite this disappointment, fans can still enjoy a substantial amount of content, as the series includes an impressive total of 65 episodes (31 in season 1 and 34 in season 2). This is more than what many shows today typically release. Interestingly, the final episode aired in February 2004, almost a year after the premiere of The Lizzie McGuire Movie, even though the movie's events take place after the series finale.

3. Miranda Should've Been In The Lizzie McGuire Movie

Lalaine Vergara-Paras' absence is felt

The Lizzie McGuire Movie follows Lizzie and her friends on a school trip to Rome after graduating from junior high. Released in spring 2003, the film was a great success. Notably, Lizzie reconciles with Kate, her former nemesis, and fans finally get to see Lizzie and Gordo share a kiss.

However, one key member of Lizzie and Gordo's group is conspicuously absent. Miranda Sanchez, portrayed by Lalaine Vergara-Paras, does not participate in the graduation ceremony or the trip to Rome due to her family vacation in Mexico City. While Vergara-Paras had moved on to other acting projects in reality, her absence in the film becomes strikingly noticeable upon revisiting it. One cannot help but ponder how The Lizzie McGuire Movie would have played out if all three friends had been together in Rome.

2. Lizzie and Paolo's Age Gap In The Lizzie McGuire Movie Was Problematic

Paolo had no business going after Lizzie

While Lizzie explores Rome with her friends, she encounters Paolo Valisari, a famous Italian pop star. Mistaking her for his former singing partner, Isabella, Paolo asks Lizzie to substitute for Isabella at an award show where she lip syncs. As Paolo guides Lizzie, their affection for each other blossoms. However, their romance crumbles when Paolo's true intentions come to light – he planned to ruin Lizzie's performance to embarrass Isabella. Paolo's karma catches up with him when his microphone accidentally reveals his actual singing voice, exposing his lip-syncing.

By the end of the movie, viewers are not meant to support the relationship between Lizzie and Paolo. In fact, it's questionable whether they should have supported it from the start. Lizzie is freshly out of junior high, making her approximately 14 years old, while Paolo is portrayed as a 17-year-old. Though technically legal, the significant age gap raises concerns. Moreover, Paolo is not an ordinary teenager; he is a prominent celebrity. With their disparities in age, lifestyle, and experiences, Paolo's pursuit of Lizzie is simply unwarranted.

1. The Shelved Reboot Is A Reminder Lizzie May Be Gone For Good

The Disney+ revival was too good to be true

The plans for a Lizzie McGuire reboot on Disney+ were first announced in 2019, with the original cast set to return and reprise their roles. However, in 2020, it was revealed that the reboot was put on hold. The revival of Lizzie McGuire was later officially canceled by Disney because it was considered too "mature" for a younger audience, as the show intended to depict Lizzie as an adult woman rather than a child.

Rewatching the original Lizzie McGuire series now sadly reminds us of missed opportunities. It was truly incredible to witness Lizzie transition from a child to an adult on-screen, mirroring our own journey through life. However, it appears that this dream scenario may never come to fruition. Despite this setback, Duff maintains a positive outlook regarding the potential reboot of Lizzie McGuire.

Editor's P/S

As a passionate fan of Lizzie McGuire, I have mixed feelings about revisiting the show nearly two decades later. On the one hand, it's nostalgic and heartwarming to relive the adventures of Lizzie and her friends. On the other hand, it's also clear that the show hasn't aged well in some respects.

One of the biggest challenges of rewatching Lizzie McGuire is the outdated fashion choices. The early 2000s were a time of bold colors, clashing patterns, and questionable hairstyles, and Lizzie and her friends are no exception. While some of these outfits are charming in a nostalgic way, others are simply cringeworthy.

Another element of the show that hasn't aged well is the use of sound effects and editing. The show is full of cartoonish sound effects and rapid-fire editing, which can be overwhelming and distracting. This is especially true in the earlier episodes, which were produced before the show found its footing.