The Addams Family has been a beloved staple for generations, especially around Halloween. From the classic 1960s cartoons to the iconic 1990s live-action movies, their unique brand of spooky and kooky has charmed audiences of all ages. Now, with MGM’s animated reboot of The Addams Family, a new generation can discover this wonderfully weird family. This animated film successfully introduces the Addams Family to a fresh audience through vibrant animation and plenty of laughs, making it a strong contender for Good Films For Family viewing.
The Addams Family animated movie scene, a good film for family Halloween viewing
One of the first things that grabs your attention is the animation style. It’s a delightful nod to Charles Addams’ original drawings, updated with a modern flair that appeals to contemporary viewers. Details like Thing’s new wristwatch and Wednesday’s noose-shaped braids are clever and visually interesting. While the live-action versions are Halloween classics, the return to animation unlocks a whole new level of creative, creepy fun. Animation allows for limitless possibilities in bringing the Addams Family’s world to life, creating numerous visually engaging moments that families will appreciate.
This reboot smartly delves into the family’s origins, showing Morticia and Gomez’s wedding, their flight from their homeland, their comical encounter with Lurch, and their discovery of their iconic hilltop haunted house. This origin story is a great way to introduce the characters to newcomers without alienating long-time fans. The opening credit montage, filled with hilariously spooky family photos introducing Wednesday and Pugsley, is a particular highlight that sets the tone for a fun family movie experience.
The humor in The Addams Family has always revolved around their embrace of everything that typically scares or disgusts others – and this film perfectly captures that essence. For families who enjoy a bit of spooky fun, the deadpan humor and horror references will be a treat. While some jokes might resonate more with adults, there’s plenty of kid-friendly humor to ensure everyone in the family is laughing. Pugsley’s fascination with explosives and Wednesday’s darkly comedic antics, especially at public school, are consistently funny. Wednesday, in particular, shines with her Dr. Frankenstein-esque experiments on frogs and her signature morbid stares, brought to life by Chloe Grace Moretz’s excellent voice acting.
In fact, the entire voice cast is strong, seamlessly embodying these iconic characters. Nick Kroll as Uncle Fester is a surprising standout, delivering laughs with his nonchalant reactions to being impaled. However, the film’s antagonist, Margaux Needler, voiced by Allison Janney, is less compelling. While Janney’s performance is fine, the character and her storyline feel somewhat generic and detract from the more entertaining Addams family narrative. The moments focused on Margaux and the town of Assimilation often feel like a diversion from the family’s humorous escapades, making you eager to return to the Addams’ quirky world.
The film touches on themes of uniqueness and accepting differences, but these themes are presented somewhat overtly. While the message is positive and family-appropriate, it doesn’t feel particularly fresh, especially given similar themes explored in other recent animated movies. Perhaps exploring these themes through Wednesday’s friendship with her classmate Parker would have offered a more nuanced and engaging approach. The film does hint at some relatable coming-of-age themes, particularly through Morticia’s reactions to Wednesday’s changing style and Gomez’s preparations for Pugsley’s Addams Family rite of passage.
Despite some minor thematic shortcomings, The Addams Family excels at delivering the spooky fun that audiences expect and love. By the end, you’ll likely find yourself snapping along and humming the iconic theme song, just like the kids in the theater. Ultimately, The Addams Family is a delightful reminder of the joy of Halloween and a great choice for families looking for a fun, slightly spooky movie to enjoy together. It’s a perfect way to kick off the Halloween season, reacquainting long-time fans with the Addams Family while introducing them to a new generation through a devilishly fun animated adventure.
