The Addam's Family (2019) Movie Review

THE ADDAM'S FAMILY (2019)-

Do you know what works best about this film? It's the time of year that it was released. I am surprised at how many Halloween seasonesque films get put out at times that make no sense. Don't these studios understand mood and ambiance? Horror classics like ALIEN, FRIDAY THE 13TH, DAWN OF THE DEAD, AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON, SCREAM, and many others were theatrically issued in months way before or after the perfect time of year that they deserved. Sure those films I mentioned were successful anyways, but that's not the point. Know your audience, fuckers! I would be way more willing to see some of today's "scary" movies if they brought them out in the Fall. Even when they may look like crap, there's still something about this season that gives me blood covered lenses.

Because of my childlike love for this season, I perceived The ADDAM'S FAMILY to be better than it actually is. Especially because of the film's overall look, style, and mood. Yet about halfway through, that allure started to wear off and I noticed the many chinks in its armor. Things started off so well. The entire main cast was set up quickly and in a cool way with a backstory, before moving towards the film's main plot. Although never truly laugh out loud funny, THE ADDAM'S FAMILY is amusing all the way through. But why oh why did they have to throw a FULL HOUSE type of morality message about accepting yourself and not trying to be like everybody else? We didn't need that shit. It's THE goddamn ADDAM'S FAMILY! We already know that they're mysteriously spooky. To hell with this angry ignorant townspeople rip off of EDWARD SCISSORHANDS that the writers have subjected us to.

The casting is mostly spot on, except for one annoyance; Nick Kroll as Uncle Fester. Kroll is one helluva talented comedian, however his performance here just sounds like a mildly different version of his P.E. coach character from Netflix's BIG MOUTH. It doesn't really work. And thank God that Snoop Dogg's take on Cousin It was digitally altered, fo shizzle. There are plenty of homages to the original series and the films from the 90's. This film could've kept running in the directions of those and everything probably would have turned out fine. Instead, the film focuses so much on the morality plot that all of the fun gets sucked out of the room. If you're an ADDAM'S FAMILY fan, then by all means see it. However, it being the perfect season may not be enough to satisfy. The sequel has already been greenlit, even it's safe to assume that they'll mess that one up too. 

The Addams Family (2019)
PG | 1h 26min | Animation, Comedy, Family | 11 October 2019 (USA)
The eccentrically macabre family moves to a bland suburb where Wednesday Addams' friendship with the daughter of a hostile and conformist local reality show host exacerbates conflict between the families.

Directors: Greg Tiernan, Conrad Vernon
Writers: Matt Lieberman (screenplay by), Charles Addams (based on characters created by)
Stars: Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloë Grace Moretz