The Mitchells vs. The Machines (2021) Movie Review
Netflix has released a few excellent animated movies recently (like The Willoughbys!). The Mitchells vs. The Machines is definitely one of my favorites. In fact, this is probably my favorite animated film of 2021 so far. I’m sure at some point it will be replaced as we get closer to awards season. But for now it’s at the top of my list. The premise sounds totally bizarre and in a lot of ways bizarre is the appropriate adjective for The Mitchells vs. The Machines.
The Mitchells consist of dad Rick (Danny McBride), mom Linda (Maya Rudolph), daughter Katie (Abbi Jacobson), and son Aaron (Michael Rianda). Katie and Aaron have a very sweet relationship. They get along well and support each others’ interests. Katie is a film buff, obsessed with making mini movies and getting into film school. Aaron is a dinosaur fanatic who can spout off facts at the drop of a hat and often roars like a mini raptor. Rick and Katie’s relationship is strained as he doesn’t understand her creative side and wants her to be serious and get a “good” job after college. After some rough moments of father/daughter misunderstanding and miscommunication, Rick tries to make nice by organizing a cross-country road trip to take Katie to her first day of college.
Simultaneously, a tech guru named Mark (Eric André) hosts a massive event where he announces the launch of new robots that have been upgraded from his previous personal assistant app name Pal (Olivia Colman). This launch goes horribly wrong when the old Pal takes control of the new robots and begins executing a plan for world domination. Humans everywhere are captured and put in holding cells at the headquarters. The Mitchells witness this attack and narrowly avoid being captured by the robots. As humans are being rounded up it’s up to the Mitchells to band together to save the world. Like I said, the plot is absurd and you just have to go with it.
The message of the movie is similar to so many animated movies: there’s no love like your family. But the way it approaches family is different. Each member of the family has its quirks and idiosyncrasies. Finding your place in the world can be difficult, but finding your place in your family can be even more challenging. The Mitchells use their differences to work together to save the world. Along the way each family member learns something about themselves.
While the plot is cute, the animation is what truly sets The Mitchells vs. The Machines apart. The animation is fast and unconventional. There are a lot of pop culture references and quick cuts. There are freeze frames where comic book-like cues come out in the background. The playful and fun animation lends itself well to the quirky characters and plot lines. While the Mitchells are in the process of saving the world they realize how much they value each other and begin to bond in a way that they hadn’t before. This is a really fun little movie with off-beat animation and a compelling story that both kids and adults will find entertaining.
Film or Movie: Movie
You’ll like this movie if:
1. You like stories about coming together as a family
2. You like coming of age stories
3. You want to see animation with an edge
