Released in 2019, The Addams Family is an animated family film directed by Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiernan, the duo behind the grotesque Sausage Party. Based on the comic strip family of the same name, The Addams Family consists of parents, Gomez and Morticia (Oscar Isaacs and Charlize Theron, respectively), as well as eldest daughter, Wednesday (Chloe Grace Moretz), younger son, Pugsley (Finn Wolfhard) and Uncle Fester (Nick Kroll, using his horrible ‘Coach Steve’ voice from Big Mouth). Soon, the Addams parents are accosted by interior decorator/reality TV “star”, Margaux Needler (Allison Janney), while Wednesday makes unlikely friends with Margaux’s daughter, Parker (Elsie Fisher), and Puglsey continues to practice for his traditional Addams coming-of-age ceremony.
+ this genuinely may be one of the best voice casts for an animated movie – in name and final outcome – in recent memory. Isaacs and Theron are fantastic, Moretz absolutely nails the deadpan snark Wednesday is known for, and Wolfhard has the youthful exuberance of this more modern version of the Addams Family son. Nick Kroll’s choice of voice is nauseating, in all the best ways. Janney’s turns as Margaux is not giving too much time to shine but she hits the right notes as well
+ it has simple but enjoyable plot which is basically just a reason for various jokes to take place. There are a few genuine emotional moments, and the situation giving rise to the film is a bit full on, though it does end up being played for laughs
+ as far as children’s movie comedy goes, this was hilarious. The movie is full of sight gags (check out the shape of Wednesday’s braids) and puns only mature viewers will understand. The macabre nature of the Addams’ lives is pretty morbid if you think about it for half a second, but if you take it for what it is, it’s good comedy
– this is still a kids’ move. No matter how clever the jokes may be, if you don’t like watching animated kids movie, then this probably won’t do it for you
– Cousin Itt is in the movie for all of two minutes, despite his top billing and famous voice actor. This seemed like more of a publicity stunt and/or tax writeoff of some kind for that person in particular
> In many ways, it’s a shame Oscar Isaacs and Charlize Theron were voice actors for the animated versions, because those two in particular could have been great in the live action roles
Should you see this film: This was a Saturday afternoon viewing at its finest. This childrens film had more than enough chuckles to recommend to any older fans of the characters, but as mentioned, people who don’t like animated films in general will find it too hard to overcome the style.
MoshFish Reviews 