The Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex (2013)

The Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex feels like a mini-vacation with a wand in your pocket: sunny Italy backdrops, brisk Disney-channel banter, and a playful twist that lets Selena Gomez show real range without ever losing the show’s easy charm. It’s at its best when it turns a familiar teen worry—wanting to be “more mature” overnight—into bright, fizzy fantasy, with the Russo family’s warmth and Harper’s loyal chaos keeping everything grounded and funny. The tone is light and family-friendly, but it still builds to a surprisingly satisfying, effects-driven showdown that makes the stakes feel big in that popcorn way. If you’re not already fond of Wizards humor, it can be a bit broad, but for fans or anyone craving a cozy, magical comedy with heart, it’s an entertaining return spell.

The Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex is clearly aiming to be a fun, kid-friendly “double trouble” adventure that gives Selena Gomez a chance to play both sides of Alex’s personality while delivering a simple lesson about growing up. The problem is it feels like an extra-long sitcom episode with a bigger budget: the plot is busy, the villainy is pretty lightweight, and the “epic” stakes never land as hard as the movie wants them to. If you didn’t already like Wizards of Waverly Place, this won’t convert you—expect broad comedy, quick magical fixes, and family-TV logic rather than tight storytelling. Still, fans will get what they came for: familiar characters, a few cute Italy backdrops, and Gomez having obvious fun playing Good Alex versus Evil Alex.