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When it comes to deciding if a certain film is added to my watchlist or not, I consider various factors. From genre and synopsis to cast, directors, and screenwriters, sometimes just a familiar name can convince me to give that movie a go. Producers and/or executives are far from being remotely influential in this type of decision. However, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller have directed/written/produced some of my favorite animated films of the last decade (The LEGO Movies, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse), so obviously, I needed to watch The Mitchells vs. The Machines, previously known as Connected. Mike Rianda has his debut as a director, screenwriter, and voice actor (Aaron Mitchell, son), accompanied by Jeff Rowe, the other writer.
2021 is shaping up to be a phenomenal year. It truly is. I absolutely loved Soul and Wolfwalkers, but if this Sony Pictures Animation flick came out last year, I genuinely don't know which one would I put higher on my Top10. Rianda and Rowe deliver a brilliantly original screenplay, packed with incredibly relatable characters and beautifully handled themes. I can't quite remember the last time I laughed out loud when watching an animated feature by myself. Every joke about technology is hilariously clever, making fun of ridiculous yet realistic human behaviors regarding malfunctions, low speed, and even lack of Wi-Fi. I cried of laughter, but I was also close to dropping a couple of tears due to the main narrative.
I'll start with the protagonist, Katie Mitchell. As a young, aspiring filmmaker, Abbi Jacobson's character follows a well-known arc about not having friends, being the so-called weirdo, and having parents - in this case, more her father - who simply don't understand who she is, what she likes, or why she loves something they simply don't understand. While it's true that this storyline isn't exactly new, it doesn't mean it's not captivating and emotionally powerful when written and developed properly. Rianda and Rowe make Katie an extremely relatable character in such a seamless manner that it's harder to not connect with her than the contrary.
Anyone has at least once in their lifetime felt left out or alone. Obviously, since I share the exact same passion as Katie, it's easier for me to feel precisely the same as her once she discovers new friends with whom she can talk about the art she loves the most. I still have no circle of friends who I can meet daily to discuss the latest movie news or newly released films (in-person), so Katie's journey does have a more significant impact on me than it might have on other viewers. However, it doesn't have to be about art or a specific subject. In a general analysis, Katie just feels lonely and wants to follow her dreams, but feels unsupported by her father, Rick Mitchell (Danny McBride).
One of the most compelling aspects of The Mitchells vs. The Machines is the fact that Rick and Katie share the same arc, just going in different directions. While Katie feels like getting out of the house and going away forever is the best solution to all her problems, Rick believes that her staying with the family is the safest route, one that features no failures that could hurt her emotionally - something that Rick learned from his past, hence the necessity of overprotecting her daughter at all costs. Since they're on opposite sides of the spectrum, constant fights, lies, and hurtful comments drive them apart, leading to a wonderfully written story about family, love, friendship, and understanding the other side of the argument.
Katie's mother, Linda Mitchell (Maya Rudolph), and brother, Aaron Mitchell (Rianda), serve more as triggers to heartfelt conversations with the two main characters, but they also have their own personal journey. While Linda feels jealous of her Instagram-perfect neighbors and embarrassed of showing off her own family photos, Aaron deals with his bizarre love for dinosaurs in a lighter, funnier way than Katie's dramatic arc. Both storylines carry their own lovely messages to transmit to the audience, but Katie and Rick's confrontational relationship embodies sensitive issues that tons of families across the globe never find a solution for.
Another remarkable characteristic of this screenplay is how Rianda and Rowe never take a definite stance on any topic. They always try to follow one of the movie's main messages and present good points for both sides of the conflict. For example, The Mitchells vs. The Machines could easily be misinterpreted as an attack on the Internet and technology in general, but every dialogue is exceptionally balanced. While comments are made about using our phone at the dinner table or during family moments, as well as excessive screentime and overreliance on social media, new technology can give birth to the most inspirational, motivational, and influential works of art. Without it, Katie's dreams would be totally different.
Transitioning to the more technical elements of the film, it's impossible not to tackle the new animation style. Into the Spider-Verse was an experimental movie, and its success might have changed the future of animation forever. The mix of a more illustrative, hand-painted approach with another focused on the CGI realism seen in most films today offers - just like the movie itself - a seamless balance between the two supposedly opposing styles. This blend allows keeping the expressiveness and extreme level of detail of the classic method while also maintaining the realistic environment of the 3D/CGI design. The action sequences are extraordinarily energetic, riveting, and quite impressive, to say the least.
The film's soundtrack (score by Mark Mothersbaugh) is on-point, elevating dozens of scenes with excellent music choices that most viewers didn't even remember already. Exquisite editing (Greg Levitan) and outstanding voice work across the board. I genuinely can't find a single issue with this movie, and I'd be extremely surprised - and disappointed - if it doesn't end up being a frontrunner for next year's awards season. Both kids and adults will have tremendous fun with this fast-paced, highly entertaining film while also getting a few valuable life lessons along the way. And who knows? Maybe this movie will inspire families to make that road trip they've been planning for ages…
The Mitchells vs. The Machines might not have the catchiest title, but it's definitely one of the best animated feature films of the last years. With a beautiful blend of two animation styles - that may impact the future of this type of movie - Mike Rianda and Jeff Rowe deliver an emotionally resonant story about family, love, and more explicitly, placing ourselves in someone else's shoes. Featuring incredibly relatable characters, the remarkably written screenplay strikes a perfect balance in every topic it approaches by presenting arguments for both sides without ever defining something as right or wrong. The character arcs might be well-known storylines, but the exceptional writing elevates every personal journey, especially Katie and Rick's, daughter and father. Boasting great voice work from everyone involved, the fast-paced narrative still holds impressive, colorful, screen-popping action sequences filled with energy, excitement, and fantastic song choices. It's one of those uncommon films where I can't find a single flaw with it. A must-watch, *hilarious* film for both kids and adults.
Rating: A
Decent watch, probably won't watch again, but can recommend.
Expecting this to be a Dreamworks picture, I was surprised to see Sony heading this one up.
Watching this robo-apocalypse story, it feels like just a weird amalgamation of other movies that happen to be cg animated, involve robots, dysfunctional families, and corporate hostilities.
While all these are great elements, their combination, with the movie's special flare just falls short for me.
While my disbelief is fully suspended, it just broke off after a bit with some of the goofy stuff the humans end up doing contrasted with some of the amazing things the robots are doing that actually makes some sense.
The movie looks great, and is technically great, but the characters and story just fall just short for me.
I think it’s quite apposite that at a time when governments are all debating whether they ought to spend 2/3% of GDP on our defence, this film rather succinctly points out that armies, navies and air forces are going to be of little use when mankind faces it’s most potently existential threat. No wifi! When tech fights back and cuts off that magical signal, just think of how little around us will actually work. Our water, our electricity and our food supplies - all controlled by something that doesn’t actually exist! Luckily we have the “Mitchell” family on hand to thwart the cunning plans of a queenly smart phone to eradicate humanity once and for all so that toasters may playfully graze in the meadow and fridges may consume the beer themselves. Dad (reminded me of the late British DJ Steve WrightJ is a bit of a Luddite who wants to drive their daughter “Katie” to her new term at film school so much to her embarrassed chagrin they set off with mum, brother “Aaron” and their pet piglet “Monchi” to take one of those road trips that you just know is destined for failure. To be fair, though, they couldn’t have anticipated quiet the nature of that disaster as the mechs and techs revolt against their fleshy masters and for some reason this bunch, along with two kindly robots they encounter along the way, are humanity’s only hope. The queen has offered us one slight glimmer of hope. Can anyone think of any good reason why she shouldn’t carry out her plans? Oddly enough, an answer is unlikely to ever be forthcoming in time so the family have to use their wits and tech-savvyness to fend off the marauding army of washing machines, microwaves and hoovers. The film itself is all a little predicable, and it extols some typical virtues of family loyalty, teamwork and inter-reliance, but it also presents us with some fun characterisations too. Mum, “Linda”, especially when her brood are under threat and she sees a particularly dangerous shade of red with those tin creatures trying to oppose her! There are loads of other entertaining supporting characters, and at times this comes across more like a Japanese animé as the kids take centre stage and improvise their way to a lively denouement. The message is clear enough, but the writing doesn’t labour it’s point, rather it amiably presents us with some daft scenarios that - perhaps they are not so daft after all! The prospect of AI getting fed up with us squabbling, warring and destroying our own environment looms plausibly large and maybe isn’t the worst idea, either. It’s hectically paced, good fun and maybe portentous?
The Mitchells vs. the Machines is a movie about a lovely, creative nerd that has a nice family, but one that doesn't "get" them, and that tries to find "her people" and be able to be herself in life.
And then, on her way to do this, chaos ensues, family troubles are added, and everything goes haywire.
The movie takes some very common and classical themes: parents that don't understand their children, people trying to be themselves, growing up and finding your way in life, and combines it with totally over-the-top, crazy action and a colorful mix of crazy art styles.
Typical animation movie style, 2D animation, hand-puppets and even silly animal GIFs: this movie uses all kinds of different media to display the creativity of the main character Katie.
Katie is nerdy, creative, crazy and lovely. Her brother Aaron is shy, calm, but loves his sister and has a wonderful, supportive relationship with her.
Then there's the father who doesn't get his daughter's interests at all and thus, despite being a lovable person, screws up more than he should. And the mother who tries to keep everyone together in love.
And in the middle of all of this a robot apocalypse starts and the family has to survive this while also trying to grow together and understanding as a family.
The movie is silly, fun, emotional, and the mix of all the different media is equally crazy and fun as in the "Spiderverse" Spider-Man movies.
A really fun movie with much heart and many emotions, and fitting to the main character, even the Bluray cover AND even the disk are lovely pieces of art.
Highly recommendable!
Katie is love and I wanna hug the cute and shy Aaron!
