The fact “That ’70s Show” premiered 25 years ago truly belongs in the “Time flies” basket, bathing the latest attempt to fire up the franchise in a misty haze of nostalgia.

Credits: Getty Images

there’s not much heat, as an uninspired next-generation crowd offsets encores by most of the original cast, leaving “That ’90s Show” feeling at best half-baked.

Credits: Getty Images

To get the obvious out of the way, having Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp reprise their roles as Red and Kitty Forman

Credits: Getty Images

the slightly less-cranky grandparents to a teenage girl, Leia (Callie Haverda), and a new basement full of kids, is kind of a blast.

Credits: Getty Images

As she comes to the end of a visit with her parents (yes, Topher Grace and Laura Prepon are back, sporadically),

Credits: Getty Images

awkward Leia asks to spend the summer at her grandparents’ place, having befriended the free-spirited girl next door (Ashley Aufderheide) and her extended posse.

Credits: Getty Images

Said posse also includes Jay (Mace Coronel), the son of Michael and Jackie (Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis),

Credits: Getty Images

who’s a bit of a chip off the old block, at least in terms of possessing an easy-going charm with girls.

Credits: Getty Images

Before it’s over, the audience will also be treated to a reintroduction to Fez (Wilmer Valderrama), who has his own amusing career trajectory.

Credits: Getty Images

ultimately, is on the kids, and as written they and other new characters (including Andrea Anders as the Formans’ single-mom neighbor) are the weak links in this update.

Credits: Getty Images