The Mitchells vs. the Machines

I needed something completely relaxing, and The Mitchells vs. The Machines delivered in spades. It’s one of the most entertaining, funny, and imaginative animated films to come out of the U.S. in the last decade. The dog (or is it a pig? or a loaf of bread?) and those two quirky robots steal the show, just as much as the entire Mitchell family does. While the film might initially seem like a kid-friendly version of Tron—with its graphic effects and often fantastic soundtrack—it ultimately tells a classic story about the importance of family and the strength of those bonds. (05/07/2021)

I was really looking forward to this animated film, given that it’s produced by the same team behind the nearly flawless Spider-Man from three years ago. I wouldn’t say I’m disappointed—far from it—but there were a few things missing for it to be a perfect experience. I must definitely commend the audiovisual style; it’s truly outstanding, and I have no complaints about the technical execution. I also grew fond of the characters, with the father being my favorite. On the other hand, their dog had its moments too, appearing in some of the funniest scenes... so it’s a tough choice :D . However, the story didn’t captivate me as much. The creators occasionally drop a cleverly crafted line, and there are laughs to be had, but I wasn’t particularly thrilled by the plot revolving around a robot apocalypse. Nevertheless, it’s still an above-average film, and I can easily imagine your kids being thrilled by it. For me, it’s a solid 7/10. (06/04/2021)

Maybe I was looking forward to it a little too much. The Mitchells vs. the Machines is a very fine animated film that, at least in terms of visual ideas, manages to offer much more than what we are used to, and maybe even more than what the best in the business serve up. It also has likeable characters, effective jokes and very good action. It's just that the underlying story is too ordinary and predictable, whether in the "dad looking for a way to his daughter and daughter looking for a way to her dad" or "technology has gone haywire and wants to take over humanity" sense. It's nothing that outright ruined the experience of the film for me, but on the other hand the technical creativity, inventiveness and fun factor often just accentuate the banality and ordinariness of the plot. Granted, they do manage to sell even that with grace, but I still expected a bit more. (05/04/2021)

A terminator-like machine uprise in the Mitchell style, with a (much) lower rating, but a bigger portion of fun. The Mitchells vs. the Machines, like Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse, captivates and impresses with its unorthodox animation style that mixes live-action sequences and various animation formats. The basic structure of the story of saving the world is nothing new, but the imaginative use of animation, as well as the way the narrative unfolds, lifts the film out of its first-rate mediocrity. Although I had an idea (and knew) how it would end, I was still entertained and moved by the story of an extremely wacky family brought together by the technological apocalypse. What made me laugh the most was Monchi's "piggy bank" and the father's confrontation with the internet. A weaker four stars! (05/09/2021)

Rianda and Rowe didn’t want to wait for an adaptation of "Robocalypse" and so they put together this cartoon brimming with invention about a technological bugaboo gone wrong and father and a daughter trying to understand each other. All thanks to Miller and Lord and their humor shines to every direction from the screen. The visuals mix two and three-dimensional animation, Tron-style neon lights and a dog with googly eyes who reminds me more of a pig or a loaf of bread. Great family dynamics, a very nice message. (05/03/2021)