The Addams Family 2 movie review

MOVIE TITLE: The Addams Family 2

It’s available in theaters and on streaming at the same time.

RATING: PG

LENGTH: 1 hour 33 minutes

IN A NUTSHELL:

While this colorful sequel doesn’t have the creepy charm of the original, it’s a tamed-down animation that makes for a suitable family-friendly Halloween movie. Young kids will probably get a kick out of watching this loving, yet bizarre family. Parents will enjoy a much-needed nap.

THINGS I LIKED:

Lots of visual humor. The spoken humor is often sarcastic and mature.
We get to go to Niagara Falls! I finally got to visit Niagara Falls about 3 years ago. Amazing! We also get to go to Miami, the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, the Grand Canyon, and Sausalito, California.
Wallace Shawn has the best voice.
The talented cast includes Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloe Grace-Moretz, Bette Midler, Bill Hader, Snoop Dogg, Nick Kroll, Wallace Shawn. New to the cast is Javon “Wanna” Walton.
The character I always thought was funniest was Cousin It. He’s as cute as always. Lurch is also a hilarious visual delight in this.
There are some sweet themes about family and belonging.
Some of the animation design is really detailed and even sophisticated as it features iconic landscapes.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

Some of the voices didn’t seem to quite match the characters.
A lot of the humor seems super outdated.
The first Addams Family animated movie was cooky and fun. This sequel is kind of a mess.
The family members often make choices that aren’t characteristically true to who they are.
Obligatory dance party at the end of the movie. Snoop Dog sings though, so all is forgiven.
The story is pretty predictable.
Tons of cliches.
Some of the scenes feel like location-based skits stitched together.
Because every movie these days is about female empowerment, it’s no surprise that the focus of this film is about Wednesday, the daughter. She uses a magic skill once in the movie that could have come in handy during several scenes in the movie, but she only uses it once.
The storyline with Uncle Fester was strange and not even funny.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

Bullying
Animated violence
People in perilous situations

THEMES:

Identity and self-discovery
Family unity
Definition of family
Parenting
“Own who you are.” – Wednesday (Chloe Grace Moretz)
Coming-of-age
Truth
Belonging
Being different

FUNNY LINES:

“Are you having fun?” – Morticia Addams (Charlize Theron) “I’m staring at Canada, if that answers your question.” – Wednesday (Chloe Grace Moretz)
“Tell that Billie Eilish she’s a little too sunny for my taste, but I’m still a fan.” – Gomez Addams (Oscar Isaac)
“I will decline the hug. I’ve been social distancing since birth.” – Wednesday (Chloe Grace Moretz)

INTERESTING LINES:

“I’m not a freak. I’m a force of nature.” – Wednesday (Chloe Grace Moretz)
“Children are like socks in the laundry. They need to be lost in order to be found.” – Cousin It (translated to us by Morticia)