The first day of junior high school is difficult enough for Alex Mack, new friends to make, boys to impress. The transition to teenage life becomes even more complicated when Alex is nearly run over. From the back of the swerving van a chemical drum escapes and breaks, covering Alex with gold goo. Almost immediately Alex discovers that she has developed new powers, but the corporation which made the chemical wants Alex in their laboratory...

The Secret World of Alex Mack is a teen show which originally ran between 1994 and 1998. The series was created by Ken Lipman and Thomas W. Lynch. Larisa Oleynik played Alex, with the main core of the cast consisting of Ray Alvarado (Darris Love), Alex’s best friend, Anne Mack (Meredith Bishop) Alex’s older sister, these are the only two characters who know Alex’s secret. Ray worries about Alex, but Anne views Alex as some sort of private science project. Alex’s mother and father are played by Dorian Lopinto and Michael Blakley. Being mainly set in the junior high school the show had a lot of recurring cast members, the most notable of which was Jessica Alba, who would go on to appear in Sin City and Fantastic 4.

That the show lasted for four years, gives some indication to its popularity amongst younger viewers. The show wasn’t terribly original, reflecting the concerns of most thirteen year olds. The outsider metaphor is never laboured too hard, with most of the plots revolving around boyfriends, female rivals and going to the school dance.

The first season's, thirteen episodes, which includes the pilot episode, arrive on a two disc DVD set, with a 15 certificate, only because these episodes have remained uncut, including a scene with someone getting into a tumble dryer, which bumped up the rating.

The set should bring back some fond memories for fans; the show does have a certain charm, even if neither the acting nor writing ever makes it above generic teenage fare. The show looks a little soft having been converted from its American format. For fans the biggest disappointment is the complete lack of extras.

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Charles Packer