Watch Miss Nelson Is Back

Miss Nelson Is Back is a 1999 made-for-TV movie directed by Bruce Leddy and starring Diana Canova. The film is a follow-up to the beloved 1977 children’s book Miss Nelson Is Missing! by Harry Allard, which also inspired a previous animated adaptation in 1997. The movie opens with a classroom of misbehaving students at Horace B. Smedley Elementary, where they are being taught by substitute teacher Viola Swamp (also played by Canova). Known for her strict and terrifying demeanor, the students are eager for the return of their beloved teacher, Miss Nelson. However, when she fails to show up for class, the children become worried and start a search party to find her. When the search proves unsuccessful, the students and their concerned principal, Mr. Blandsworth (Michael Bofshever), decide to turn to a private detective, Mike Damone (Scott Gurney), for help.

Meanwhile, it is revealed that Viola Swamp is actually Miss Nelson in disguise, attempting to teach the students a lesson for their bad behavior. As the search for Miss Nelson continues, the children in her class must come to terms with their misbehavior and learn a valuable lesson about appreciation and gratitude.

Diana Canova gives a standout performance in her dual roles as both Miss Nelson and Viola Swamp. She cleverly portrays the stark contrast between the gentle, kindhearted Miss Nelson and the brooding, fearsome Viola Swamp. Through her exceptional acting, she manages to create two entirely different characters that the audience can easily distinguish.

The child actors in the film also deliver strong performances, especially Trevor Morgan as Adam, who takes on the responsibility of leading the search party to find Miss Nelson. Each of the students in Miss Nelson’s class has their own unique personality, which is explored throughout the film.

The film’s themes of appreciating what you have and not taking others for granted are conveyed in a clear and meaningful way. The message is particularly relevant to children, who tend to take the people in their life for granted. The film also emphasizes the importance of being honest and open with others, as Miss Nelson’s disappearance causes the students to reveal their secrets and hidden feelings.

The movie is well-directed by Bruce Leddy, who keeps the pace tight and manages to balance both comedy and drama effectively. The score by Lenny Williams serves as a perfect accompaniment to the film’s light-hearted tone while also helping to emphasize the more emotional scenes.

Overall, Miss Nelson Is Back is a charming and heartwarming film that effectively captures the essence of the original book. With its strong performances, clear messages, and light-hearted tone, the movie is sure to delight both children and adults alike. Fans of the original book will find much to enjoy in this adaptation, and those who are new to the story will quickly fall in love with the delightful characters and clever storyline.

Miss Nelson Is Back is a 2018 animated movie with a runtime of 12 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.8.