POSITIVES…
This movie is like a mash-up of favorite 1980s sensibilities, like Dungeons & Dragons, buddy road trip movies, teens going on adventures, Weekend At Bernie’s, etc… and that’s an aspect I found absolutely liking a lot.
I love the premise for this movie, and the story as well. There’s a lot I appreciated with the goals of this film.
This movie also has a humongous load of themes, ideas, and story lessons, that are all worth exploring and discussing after wards.
The two siblings have great chemistry together, and provides a lot of the fun entertainment in watching this movie. Seeing where their adventure takes them, plus all the different characters they interact with, is the main draw to watching this.
Tom Holland and Chris Pratt as the two siblings Ian and Barley, are unsurprisingly good in this, I have to give a shout out to Octavia Spencer as The Manticore, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus as the Mom Laurel Lightfoot, who are also great in their roles.
The third act is fantastic, filled with entertaining sequences, emotional story beats, and just overall an awesome pay off that rewards you for watching (and paying attention to) the movie.
I should point out that this film leans heavily into the whole “children who never got to know their fathers” angle, so those who can relate should really have an even more emotional connection to this. Showing you things that might make you cry is a Pixar specialty after all.
Oh, does it need to be said? The animation and the visuals are all top notch. Very easy on the eyes.
NEGATIVES…
Unfortunately, this is a movie released by Pixar, which means it has to automatically be a great animated film. It’s honestly not a great film, BUT it’s simply just a solid, good, average movie. So keep your expectations in check.
There’s a certain formulaic feel to the movie, as it isn’t above using very familiar plot tropes.
It’s also not above relying on coincidences or conveniences to keep the plot moving.
Felt like they should have gone further with the world building, and all the possibilities that could have sprung forth from this premise.
P.S….
lovedit ENJOYED IT likedititsokayitsmehitsterrible
