\"The 3D animation was very good, but I don\'t like how the 2D animation was used. It\'s mainly used to embellish random parts of the movie, and to me that feels like the art form of 2D animation is being trivialized, like an elephant forced to perform in a circus. It feels like an afterthought. Maybe the creators need to watch Richard Williams\' work to see the full potential of 2D animation?\"
I disagree, I think the 2D animation worked well to emphasize in small ways how Katie saw the world differently from her family and peers. It almost always appeared exclusively during scenes from Katie\'s perspective to illustrate how she sees the world through the lens of her art. So even if it came across as jarring or distracting, it wasn\'t completely random, nor was it meant to butcher 2D animation. You also seem to imply that the creators aren\'t familiar with 2D animation, which isn\'t true. I can see where you\'re coming from, I just think there\'s a noteworthy context to the usage of 2D that your review failed to mention.
I do some cleanup and then I enjoy shows you probably think are cringe.Leave a Comment:
Phones bad? Not always. This movie good? Not always.
CONTAINS MARKED SPOILERS
This movie was alright. The concept was good, but there are some things I don't like about the execution.
The story was good overall. The blend of a road trip comedy and a robot apocalypse was very creative. I like how the Mitchells develop and grow closer to each other over the course of the movie. The writing, dialogue, and jokes were also usually good. Monchi is best character.
I also like the dynamic between the Mitchells and the Posers, specifically how the Mitchells think they're quirky and dysfunctional, but they eventually realize that they're really not that different from other families. Even people who seem better than you may think you're better than them in some ways, and I think that's an important lesson for kids, or anyone really, to learn.
The casting is also good overall. However, you may have seen the entry I wrote for Playing Against Type. Eric Andre's character doesn't really get a chance to use Andre's trademark style of comedy. I don't know if that was deliberate Tom Hanks Syndrome or not.
The blend of CGI and 2D animation was... interesting. The 3D animation was very good, but I don't like how the 2D animation was used. It's mainly used to embellish random parts of the movie, and to me that feels like the art form of 2D animation is being trivialized, like an elephant forced to perform in a circusnote . It feels like an afterthought. Maybe the creators need to watch Richard Williams' work to see the full potential of 2D animation?
SPOILERS:
I'm kind of disappointed by the movie's use of Furbies as killer robots. While I do agree that they can be creepy, I think the concept of evil ones has already been done to death on the internet (and in fiction with Faux Furby.) The original concept was to use a Bland-Name Product of Tickle Me Elmos, and I think that would have been a lot more original and interesting.
I also think the Big Bad's death was executed poorly. The idea of PAL dying by falling into a glass of water was funny enough on its own. While I like monkey memes as much as anyone else, I think Katie's interruption totally killed the comedic timing in that scene.
Overall, I'd say this movie is So Okay, It's Average. It had some great moments, but I don't think I would call it a "favorite." If you liked it, though, that's totally fine. That's what reviews are for!