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Formally known as Connected, The Mitchells vs. The Machines is somewhat another cinematic casualty of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Originally produced by Sony Pictures Animation, this film is one of the many that had its cinema release postponed. Instead of accepting yet another loss, Sony decided to sell the global distribution rights (excluding China) to Netflix for a healthy $110 million.
But was it worth it? Absolutely.
The Mitchells vs. The Machines is such a fun and exciting ride that packs many punches. From extremely likeable characters to family-friendly jokes that actually land, Netflix has scored big-time with this acquisition.
The film follows Katie Mitchell (Abbi Jacobson), a budding filmmaker who’s been accepted into her film school of choice. In an effort to bond with his family, the technophobic Rick Mitchell (Danny McBride) decides to drive Katie to film school with the whole family in tow. As they embark on their family road trip, the robots of Pal Labs begin an anti-human uprising led by the vivacious Siriesque, Pal (Olivia Colman). Pal Labs is a multi-billion dollar technology company à la Apple. The Mitchells — with the help of two defective robots — soon find themselves at the front of a war to save humanity.
The Minds and Masterpieces Behind the Movie
Phil Lord and Christopher Miller produce this animated caper. Mike Rianda (also directing) and Jeff Rowe are on the writing duties. More so, you can also feel their input throughout the film, especially when it comes to the humour. The film’s comedy may not be everyone’s cup of tea. For me, however, I thought there were more hits than there were misses – and there were a few misses.
The animation style is also an intriguing design choice. It looks a little like the style used for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Although, instead of the comic-book aesthetic, it has a more hand-drawn approach. Of course, this is with much of the scenery looking like images from a picture book or cardboard cut-out. As for the characters themselves, I found their movement to be a little jarring at first. They’re very reminiscent of the style found in many products from Telltale Games albeit with much better fluidity. However, after a few minutes to readjust, it became hard to picture the film without that design choice.
As mentioned previously, the characters are very likeable, even down to Colman’s villainous PAL, who delivers some dry-wit only a British actor can deliver. Alongside Colman is her army of PAL Labs Robots, two of which join forces with the Mitchells after becoming defective. Nicknamed Deborahbot 5000 (Fred Armisen) and Eric (Beck Bennett), the robot pair are hilarious throughout the film and are among the highlights.
Abbi Jacobson’s Kate Mitchell is a fantastic lead, even if it’s hard to see past her now incredibly recognisable voice. Maya Rudolph is as great as always as Linda Mitchell. To add, as someone who doesn’t particularly enjoy Danny McBride’s movies, I’m pleased to say that he gave a thrilling performance as the patriarch of the Mitchell clan.
Sadly, Aaron Mitchell (the son and youngest child of the Mitchells) is voiced by director and co-writer Mike Rianda. It couldn’t be any more obvious that this young boy is voiced by a grown man doing a decent enough impression of a child.
I have to cut Rianda some slack, not because he’s a big part of why the film is a success. Rather, the film inexplicably has cameos from real-life husband and wife, John Legend and Chrissy Teigen. They both bring pretty much nothing to the table in terms of performance. Their roles as members of a family, who the Mitchells hate to idolise, could have been filled by literally anyone.
It’s a shame that The Mitchells vs. the Machines won’t grace the big screen in most places. Still, at least its addition to the Netflix Original catalogue will allow it to be seen by potentially more people than a cinema release may have allowed.
The Mitchells vs. the Machines will be available worldwide on Netflix from April 30th.
