Directors
Greg Tiernan and Conrad Vernon
(SAUSAGE PARTY)

Starring the voices of
Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloë Grace Moretz, Finn Wolfhard, Nick Kroll, Elsie Fisher and Allison Janney

Despite the amount of Addams Family remakes there have been over the decades, this happens to be the first full-length animated feature adaptation and is also the first cinematic release of an Addams Family movie since ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES in 1993. 

As this 3D CGI-animated comedy-horror begins, Gomez and Morticia (voiced by Oscar Isaac and Charlize Theron) are forced to find a new place to call home on the night of their wedding after fleeing from some disapproving and aggressive local civilians. While on the road, they meet Lurch and accidentally discover the perfect residence to settle down and start a family – in an abandoned asylum. Thirteen years later and now with two children, Wednesday (voice of Chloë Grace Moretz) and Pugsley (voiced by TV series Stranger Things and IT’s Finn Wolfhard), their idyllically isolated existence is again threatened by a popular reality TV host (voiced by Allison Janney) who has a very keen interest on applying a more conventional and colorful makeover to the Addams Family abode.

This 2019 and animated version of THE ADDAMS FAMILY isn’t a poor film and doesn’t do much wrong, but it is a flat one that never manages to be better than average either. Somehow, it just cannot bring its deathly characters and world to life or derive any marvel from its macabre. However, that doesn’t mean THE ADDAMS FAMILY is without humour, creativity or consistency. In fact, it possesses and exhibits each of these characteristics from start to end whenever the eccentric family are casually performing their many peculiar practices and exchanging in unorthodox communication. Though there is enjoyment to be had from these, that feeling is muted by the flatness of the film’s tone and basically turns out to be its sole source of real entertainment. The story is contemporary enough and very clearly sends its good-willed message to viewers, yet is textbook stuff and hasn’t contributed as or where needed. To first see this family in animated form is pretty cool, but that novelty quickly wares off as the movie looks and feels all too familiar. Especially if you’ve seen animated films featuring similar production designs, such as Tim Burton’s CORPSE BRIDE or FRANKENWEENIE.

As mentioned, it’s not that THE ADDAMS FAMILY does a whole lot wrong. Rather, its shortcomings stem from what it doesn’t do. Originality where ideal, and some depth and subtlety to the story and message would no doubt been of benefit to the film. I mean for crying out loud, even the character It sounds like a minion!

2 ½ stars

Viewer Discretion
PG (Mild themes and animated violence)

Trailer
THE ADDAMS FAMILY

Moviedoc thanks Universal Pictures for the invite to the screening of this film.

THE ADDAMS FAMILY is released in cinemas throughout Australia from 5th of December, 2019.

Review by Leigh for Moviedoc
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