Wizards of Waverly Place: “Three Monsters” review

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The latest episode of Disney’s paranormal comedy for the tween set, “Three Monsters,” is the second of a three-part story in which Moises Arias of Hannah Montana guest stars as Max’s conscience, a tough job, at that.  I must admit I was impressed with this young actor as he moved from his extremely annoying HM role, Rico – who is rather humorous, especially when he is paired with Jason Earles (Jackson) – to one where he attempts to rein in someone who bears Rico-like tendencies. 

Mrs. Russo is thrilled when Conscience’s attempts seem to work, and she finds Max folding his own laundry and hears that he made his bed.  Justin, meanwhile, is working hard on his monster-hunting skills by sitting in public waving his detector around in a not-so-subtle fashion.  When he discovers that three monsters are at Waverly Place, his excitement is nearly unbearable as he calls the Wizard Education Department to report his find and ask for advice. 

His contact assures him that help will arrive in the form of the best monster hunters from the Monster Hunter Council, but is interrupted when someone off screen reminds him that those particular hunters were swallowed whole, and subsequently unavailable.  Justin is waiting for the second best pair when Alex and Harper remind him that the three monsters caught on his detector must be his vampire girlfriend, Juliet, and her parents.  He is stunned by his stupidity, and Juliet is considerably upset, but Justin and Alex each come up with plans to fix the situation when the hunters arrive through Justin’s cell phone, looking like a cross between bikers and Ghostbusters. 

The usual insanity ensues, involving a smelly Harper – who moons over her former boyfriend in spite of his lack of intelligence, while wearing a pretty cool homemade dress hung with markers – as a decoy along with Frankengirl, a robot, and a watermelon in a wig.  Yes, as always, it is best not to ask, but to watch, especially since Juliet (Bridgit Mendler) is back; according to my ten-year-old daughter, she is the best part of this episode.  I may not necessarily agree, but it is hard to beat someone who can “empty” a jelly doughnut like she does.  Those teeth are killer.