I have been struggling with this opinion but after seeing so many people agree I am just gonna come out and say it..............The Mitchells vs. the Machines is the best movie I have seen in 2021 by FAAAAAAAAAAR!!!!!!!!
This review is going to be simple, when I went into The Mitchells Vs. the Machines I just wanted:
What I ended up getting was a film that did not only deliver on the above but it also delivered a story that really does make you feel and almost appreciate your family more as you realise the weird things your family do is what makes them special, it had some truly breathtaking animation that I really wasn't expecting and damn did this film make me cry at points because you will fall in love with all the characters. Also, this film had me in stitches at points with Pug and the robots probably giving some of the best visual gags I have ever seen in an animated film.
All of the voice acting is great and I, unfortunately, can't tell you a stand out performance because they were all phenomenal. Please give this film your attention and get ready for the most fun film from 2021 that also happens to be the best of 2021 :)
[7.5/10] As Homer Simpsons once put it, “I’m a white male, aged 18-49. Everyone listens to me, no matter how dumb my suggestions are.” Falling into the same category, I’m used to the vast majority of pop culture being accessible or relatable in some way, whether they be giant blockbusters, prestige cinema, or loopy kids films. That is undoubtedly privilege, to walk in with the expectation that most, if not all, mainstream media is meant to be something you at least could appreciate.
And I do appreciate The Mitchells vs. the Machines, a tale of family togetherness mixed in with a tale of the robot uprising. An impromptu family road trip to take protagonist and budding filmmaker Katie Mitchells to college is already suffused with tension with her skeptical, practical, technology-hesitant dad. But Katie, her dad, her mom, her little brother, and her pet pug must band together when PAL, a jilted digital assistant angry that the Silicon Valley CEO who created her has now discarded her, plots to use the company’s robots to rid Earth of humanity and take over the world. The combination of mechanical mayhem and intergenerational understanding succeeds with its creativity and standard, if reasonably affecting beats.
But it’s also a move that feels like it exists on either side of me. I’m not a “digital naitve” like Katie, who was born in the throes of the social media boom and shares, edits, and lives online as easy as breathing. I’m also not a device-doubting, technologically inept parent whose coming-of-age predated the rise of the Internet and who doesn’t really understand or appreciate it. There’s nothing wrong with either role, but their conflict is founded on those different perspectives, and the way that father and daughter find common ground and mutual understanding despite them. If you’re not standing on either side of the river, it’s hard to be invested in the bridge built to connect them.
That’s not to say the film doesn’t touch on some universal themes. Katie thinks her dad just doesn’t understand, cannot appreciate her art, and is constantly raining on her parade. Her dad thinks she’s pinning her future on pie-in-the-sky artistic dreams and doesn’t have a good back-up plan. Despite the specific generational touchstones, that’s something plenty of parents and kids can relate too.
The film pays the conflict off well too. Katie learns that the reason for her dad’s concerns is that he too once had an artistic dream, one that he gave up so that he could help support and love her, something he doesn’t regret but does make Katie wanting to leave him behind completely sting all the more. And when her dad sits down and really watches one of her videos, he understands the way Katie believes he’s not there for her or won’t support or trust her, helping him to see her perspective and give her the boost and faith she needs to succeed. It’s the sort of mutual understanding where the other is coming from that parent/child-focused kids films are made of.
Along the way, the movie has plenty of clevers setups and payoffs. The dad’s obsession with a particular type of screwdriver turns out to be the key to escaping from the robots’ cages. The androids’ brains being scrambled over whether the Mitchells’ pug is a dog or a pig becomes Katie’s defense mechanism when venturing to the machines’ stronghold. A lesson on how to drive a stick shift turns into the special maneuver necessary to evade the swarming bots. And a little carved moose statuette is the symbol that connects the father’s dreams, with his daughter’s summer camp fears, to their fractured relationship in the beginning, and restored bond when he sends her off to college. I may have trouble finding a personal connection to it, but this is a sound script, that ably hits the right notes and sets up its landing spots well, be they narrative or emotional.
Part of the problem is that the movie is in a state of being constantly hyperactive. Even those calmer, more emotional moments tend to be brief blips before the film is onto another frenetic setpiece or dose of wacky comic interludes. It seems designed for kids who can’t pay attention to anything longer than five seconds, with a frantic pace, a madcap energy, and a whirlwind of color and movement that feels less like an orchestrated ballet and more like a disorganized riot.
Charitably, that approach aligns with the spirit of the film, which honors the Mitchells as a quirky, disheveled, but ultimately authentic and lovable family despite their rough edges. There are, in fact, a few creative set pieces like an attack from a heap of possessed Furbies (something that does appeal to crusty Millennials like yours truly) and an exciting roadside chase. But the blender-with-its-top-off mishmash of stop-motion-esque character designs, CGI animated fluidity, traditional animation word bubbles and reactions, and random injections of other mixed media give the film a schizophrenic quality. Nothing here has time to breathe, aesthetically or narratively, before The Mitchells vs. the Machines is pelting its audience with whatever the next thing is.
Its heart is in the right place, though. I’m not made of stone. I felt my heartstrings pulled when Mr. Mitchell watched the home movies of how the daughter now pushing him away once reached for him as her best friend. I melted a little when Katie had her parallel moment of seeing a home movie where her dad walked away from his forest-focused fantasy without hesitation so he could be her dad. The college-bound farewell when Katie affirms that she doesn’t need to leave home to find her people, because her family members are her people is wholesome and sweet.
This is not some empty dose of fluff, but a movie with a legitimate emotional core, dramatizing its themes with creativity, and centering them around an outsized version of the intergenerational disconnect over devices and practicality.
It’s just not really intended for my generation. That is okay! Each new crop of kids and parents deserves their own movies that speak to them and their needs specifically. While some fantastical or ahistorical family films are a little more broadly accessible, there’s something to be said for making something that speaks to the here and now, with the hope that nudniks like me will appreciate the broad strokes, if not necessarily the specific dynamics that The Mitchells vs. the Machines is founded on. And that I do.
But as someone who isn’t really a Katie or a Mr. Mitchell, it’s a move I can appreciate, but which doesn’t move me the way it may for others closer to their roles and outlooks. Such is my burden, to only be able to enjoy the other 99.9% of mainstream entertainment intended for me and my ilk. Somehow, I’ll survive, and parents and children closer to the Mitchells can have something just for them.
The tried-and-true tale of a family road trip, one father's last misguided attempt to mend rifts and connect with his teenage daughter before the latter departs for film school, is rudely interrupted by a robot apocalypse. This particular mechanical coup d'etat comes at the behest of a thinly veiled Siri knock-off, an artificial intelligence that's finally tired of our mundane requests and verbal abuse. As the literal last family standing, the dysfunctional Mitchells must work through their private issues whilst also steering the station wagon around misbehaving smart appliances and, somehow, rescuing the entire human race.
Beyond the silly robo-invasion and hilariously unlikely action scenes, it's effectively sharp and sweet, eccentric and real; one of those rare films that speaks to parents and kids on their own level while still maintaining a shared common ground. It's also a wonderful visual showpiece, furthering many of the concepts that first came to light with 2018's Into the Spider-Verse. I really dig that trend (dare I call it a house style?) from Sony Pictures Animation, a fresh mixed-media experiment which meshes smooth, stylish 3D models with effective spurts of kinetic, hand-drawn line art. Those play into the plot, baking personality into the frequent asides that fill out the family's back story, while also lending a quaint, made-with-care aura that illuminates the whole screen; they're downright charming.
Well done on the graphical front, then, with only slightly lower marks on the narrative side. The Mitchells are an entertaining, colorful bunch, with an admirable amount of time dedicated to developing the secondary cast. Pacing isn't all it could be, though, given the deflating early anti-climax and a third act that drags on for too long. Maybe a few too many wink-nods at internet culture, too, but that's only a minor quibble. Overall, it's good. Really good. Good enough make me to wonder if Pixar might have finally met a worthy adversary.
THE GOOD: ‘THE MITCHELLS VS. THE MACHINES’
WRITING: 80
ACTING: 75
LOOK: 90
SOUND: 85
FEEL: 75
NOVELTY: 55
ENJOYMENT: 70
RE-WATCHABILITY: 60
INTRIGUE: 70
EXPECTATIONS: 75
THE GOOD:
It’s refreshing to see Sony boldly go for a unique animation style, mixing different 3D and 2D layers as well as live-action material to add multiple layers to the story. This approach allows the film to fit a lot of detailed information, humour and ardour into the visuals while keeping the story and characters at the centre.
The script is a mix of lovely The Incredibles-style family dynamic, contemporary social commentary (big tech, corporate responsibility and the power of AI) and witty humour, most of which is sharply delivered in the form of visual gags that have to be seen to be felt. The film’s ability to mix the mundane and relatable with the obviously exaggerated and adventurous will keep children, as well as adults, entertained.
This is the first animated film since The Incredibles (and the sequel) to utilize an entire family, with strengths and weaknesses, as part of the adventure rather than just one or two family members. This film allows each character to shine during specific moments, while also using their distinct personalities to shift between a relatable family drama and high-octane action sequences all building up towards a satisfying arc of character development, especially for Katie and Rick. The daughter-father dynamic described in this movie is one of the better I’ve seen in an animated feature in a long time.
Even as nothing but a voice, Olivia Colman steals the show as the hilariously nefarious PAL.
What a clever way to incorporate pop culture references and parodies into the story, such as a very Apple-like tech company at the centre of things, a Furby invasion (utterly terrifying) and social media being present everywhere all the time.
I like how the story goes beyond the usual concept of the heroes managing to save the world before everything goes horribly wrong. The last act of this film marks a turning point during which the children have to work together to save their parents in a world that has already been taken over by robots. It strengthens the emotional family ties that this film depicts so very well.
The Vangelis-esque electronic score and the bright neon colours make me think of Blade Runner, which is never a bad thing.
THE BAD:
Despite the strengths of its visual style, the fast-paced editing and the mishmash of styles also make some action-filled sequences heavy to follow, as the extent of visual material served turns overwhelming.
There wasn’t quite a build-up towards an explosive or high stakes finale as I had expected, mostly since the tension is spread over a longer period, rather than centred to the film’s final act.
Since this is a film meant to be enjoyed by viewers of all ages, the apocalypse depicted here feels less like a real threat and more like a bizarre adventure in a robot-infested fun land. It’s not a premise that works for everyone and definitely restricts that particular part of the story, even if it’s mostly fun and harmless for younger viewers.
THE UGLY:
Olivia Colman is the most satisfying AI voice I’ve ever heard. I want her on my phone right now!
THE VERDICT:
A timely and heartfelt family adventure utilizes a bold animation style to win over viewers of all ages.
74% = :white_check_mark: = GOOD
Could not take it seriously with the robots' abilities that don't even exist in the year in which this was set, let alone the slew of appliances with "PAL Chip installed" that could do completely ridiculous things. Not one of these devices should have been able to pose a threat, unless they were intentionally manufactured with features that would never apply to any intended use of the product.*
I can ignore little details that are embellished or ignored for the purpose of telling a better story, but when the entire premise of a film set in the present rests on impossible and unrealistic technology? Pass.
Even better, no one thought of just… finding another PAL retail store when the mall's router was destroyed with the upload at 98% complete? This film's entire spectacle rests on its characters' poor decision-making and lack of forethought—including the defective robots that join the gang and tell them about the solution.
I'll admit that the story is a bit heartwarming, but it's nothing new. It's also trying too hard regarding commentary on the influence of technology in today's world. Several lines of dialogue are extremely heavy-handed, as if the writers expect the audience to understand nothing and need to have the "moral" of the story handed to them.
Ugh. I wanted to love it. At least I can steal some playlist entries from the soundtrack.
* — See: Furbies that spit plasma beams, laptops that could close on your hands and crush them, refrigerators that walk… I could go on and on about that mall scene.
It improved going in, but Sony Pictures seem too often to try to hard on the humour
Review by Sean the Mondasian CybermanBlockedParent2021-09-08T15:52:47Z
Two of my favourite filmmakers in the industry right now are without a doubt Phil Lord and Chris Miller. Outside of Pixar, this pair are easily the duo making the most stunning and original animated movies right now. I was blown away by The LEGO Movie, and Spider-Man: Into The Spiderverse was by far one of the greatest Spider-Man films Sony has made to date. The Mitchells vs. The Machines was therefore a film I was very much looking forward to watching.
Fortunately it lived up to expectations. As someone with a deep passion for film and who has never considered himself 'normal', the main character of Katie (Abbi Jacobson) is extremely relatable. Like Katie, I have also recorded videos with my dogs, and I spend a great deal of time on my phone. I also went through a similar period of excitement when I was accepted onto an undergraduate course in Film and Television Production, and this is something that allowed me to really connect to the character. I understand this type of person, and I get the emotions she's feeling.
But I don't think this is just a film that only those of us into film or have been to university can relate to, however. Like all great films, I think it's a movie that resonates on a universal level. How many of us have been on a family holiday that has gone disastrously wrong, or had moments where our parents have embarrassed us by bringing up something from our childhood? Anyone who knows me knows that the concept of 'family' means a lot to me, so I really enjoy films like this that explore it, and what it means to be connected to your loved ones. The script here puts it perfectly. 'Family' is not just about 'you', it's about listening to the people around you, even if you find their interests boring or uninteresting.
I think a greater message in this film though is the idea that 'weird' is good. Throughout the movie we are shown that the Mitchells are a dysfunctional family unit, that they're flawed and that they do things that others wouldn't consider normal. But that's what makes them who they are, and that's what leads to them saving the day. The seemingly perfect family are captured by the robots because they don't think outside the box. They're too perfect. Real heroes are flawed. I think that's an extremely important and powerful message to relay, especially in a family animated flick like this that will be watched by children who may worry about being seen as weird or different.
As with Spider-Man: Into The Spiderverse, one of the standout aspects of this film is the animated style. The Michells vs. The Machines carries on Lord and Miller's approach of delivering unconventional animation, and that means we get this wildly imaginative mix of kids' scrapbook drawings with the 3D CGI animation style, with some of Katie's video effects and editing style. It really helps to give the film character and identity, that would otherwise be lost if they stuck purely to the traditional CGI animation.
There's some really fun commentary here on how we all tend to be addicted to our phones too. I absolutely love that the main antagonist is simply a smartphone (voiced by Olivia Colman), and that it's defeated by being submerged in a glass of water. It's a really clever and witty way of approaching a robo-pocalypse storyline, by taking this object we all have in our pockets, and portraying it as this evil mastermind.
One of the best and most unexpected action sequences is the rise of the evil Furbies. I think every one of us has at one point wondered if those things are possessed, so it's hilarious to see them actually turned into these evil machine-controlled creatures out to get the Mitchell family. Like The LEGO Movie, it takes a popular IP and presents it in a way that fits the story, which means at no point does it feel like a random advert for Furbies coming late into the film. It's just seamlessly integrated into the narrative, in a way that makes complete sense.
The jokes in this film are exceedingly smart also. My favourite was possibly the running gag regarding how dinosaurs technically had feathers, which reminded me so much about the comments you see frequently on social media about how Jurassic Park's dinosaurs are not true to how they would have been in real life. There are so many memorable lines in this film however, particularly in relation to tech companies and their more shady attributes. It's a screenplay filled with so much wit, and the jokes all land perfectly.
Overall, The Mitchells vs The Machines is another strong outing for Phil Lord and Chris Miller. Just like their previous movies, this film offers a unique animated style, whilst continuing to deliver on the heart and humour that their filmmaking approach is so known for. Pixar better watch out, because Lord and Miller are delivering some truly spectacular animated hits right now.