“Leo” the animated film on Netflix

Netflix recently added to its platform the new musical and comedy animated film, Leo, starring Adam Sandler as the protagonist. After screening for free in 150 cinemas on November 11 and 12, the film is now available for streaming on Netflix.

Reviews praised Leo's animation, well-intentioned humor, and flawless voice performances. Some critics have questioned whether the film is perhaps too generic to be a hit with a specific age group or demographic, but it seems that the majority agree that families who will see the film together over Thanksgiving weekend they will appreciate it.

Leo stars Sandler as a classy 74-year-old lizard who, discovering he only has one year to live, decides to escape his terrarium and discover what the world has to offer. However, he ends up getting involved in trying to help the fifth graders in his class solve their problems in a rewarding bucket list adventure.

The film is directed by Robert Smigel, Robert Marianetti and David Wachtenheim, all longtime collaborators of Sandler. Smigel, Sandler and Paul Sado wrote the screenplay. The animation was handled by Animal Logic (The Lego Movie, DC League of Super-Pets), which was acquired by Netflix last year.

Here's what critics are saying about Leo, now available on Netflix.

Lovia Gyarkye of The Hollywood Reporter says the whole family will benefit equally from Leo's message:

“Comedy…has a conventional framework. But what makes Leo special are the types of teachings offered. His message is very fitting for a generation that finds itself imprisoned by the anxieties of their parents and that inherits a world of problems. Leo encourages adults to let go and reminds children that growing up doesn't have to be so scary.”

Peter Debruge of Variety says parents will enjoy the film:

“It may have been 74 years since Smigel, Sandler and co-writer Paul Sado were in school, but as parents they understand what's funny about kids today. Some observations, such as the running joke in which lively children run amok (depicted as a swarm of bobbing piranha-like heads), are still as true today as they were then, but given a hilarious new twist at the hands of filmmakers.”

Indiewire's David Ehrlich worries that the film doesn't know exactly who its audience is or should be:

“Smigel, Sandler, and Paul Sado's episodic script rarely manages to engage enough to excite both groups at the same time; most of the jokes are too funny for elementary school children and won't resonate with adults (e.g., Miss Malkin uses 'hug-killer' spray to repel overly affectionate students), and most of the messages seem too focused about problems and/or Leo's next impending death to make the kids feel like he's talking to them. Like many of the parenting philosophies he criticizes, Leo works better in theory than in practice. And, like many of the children these parenting philosophies produce, he fails to realize his full potential.”

Claire Shaffer of The New York Times is similarly confused about which audiences Leo's humor and wisdom serve:

“Leo sometimes has difficulty identifying his audience. The musical sequences aren't particularly visually interesting and might bore adults, yet it's hard to imagine children sitting through Leo and Squirtle's long ramblings about divorced parents or the courtship behaviors of reptiles without getting a little bored. However, as the holidays approach and families gather together, this will definitely work as something to put on in the background for everyone.”

Benjamin Lee's 3-star review for The Guardian perhaps best summarizes the critical consensus that, despite some flaws, Leo is an excellent film that will appeal to children of all ages:

“It's a sort of musical with a series of half-songs ranging from the sloppy to the busy, all interrupted before they actually begin. The last act is a bit of a mess with a belated antagonist and an inevitable mission, a disjointed mess, but culminating in a worthy reminder for children to share their problems rather than hold them back, a final note not exactly innovative but expressive with sufficient sincerity to record. Brightly animated and with moments of surprising insight, there is a warm sympathy in Leo that radiates, both to those still in the class and to those who left it long ago.”

Ultimately, Leo seems to be a film that can be enjoyed by everyone, despite some uncertainty about its target audience. So, if you're looking for a fun and heartwarming experience to share with your family, Leo might be the perfect choice for this weekend!



Source: www.cartoonbrew.com