by John Bizub, Contributing Writer
The animated film industry has been a mixed bag recently. For every Into the Spider-Verse there is a The Emoji Movie. However, studios have recently been placing all of their eggs in one basket in this type of filmmaking style. Films like Soul, Wolfwalkers, and Isle of Dogs have found new ways to push the genre further in bold and creative ways. The Mitchells vs. the Machines is the latest from Sony Animation. It stars Abbi Jacobson, Danny McBride, and Maya Rudolph, among others, and tells the story of Katie Mitchell — a young filmmaker who wants to go to film school — and her family as they save the world from a robot apocalypse.
On the surface level, this seems like a generic and bland story. However, I am very surprised at how much I adored this film. The Mitchells vs. the Machines is truly one of the best animated films released in a very long while. The animation, of course, is mesmerizing with very inventive character designs and creates new styles to make the film stand out in the very crowded genre. The voice acting is very good, especially from McBride and Jacobson. The script is exceptional. It is hilarious and filled with a beating heart that is not lost through the film’s 114 minute runtime.
While this film struck a few chords with me personally, it is more than a “technology bad, consumerism evil” storyline. The technology aspect could be dated within a few years, but its elements of a family dynamic in a changing environment are timeless. The film’s themes of approval from a loved one and the fear of failure all play a momentous role in this film and do not bring it to a halt. My only issue is the pacing in the second act. There is one scene that dragged a bit too long and I was afraid that it would affect the rest of the film.
The Mitchell’s vs the Machines is a perfect family film. It is not too childish for adults, but not too mature for children; it is right in the middle. It is a one-of-a-kind animated film that we rarely see nowadays, and has me curious for future Sony animated projects. Hopefully it receives more awards buzz come Oscar season.
Grade: A-