Movies on the Mind

Most of the time in this column, I review big blockbuster movies or major streaming releases — the kind of thing you’d have likely heard about before picking up the paper. But this week, I want to take the opportunity to spotlight a recent release on Netflix that might have flown under your radar. I personally didn’t even know this movie before it was released, and was only made aware of it through word of mouth. But believe me when I say that this is one movie you don’t want to miss. I’m talking about the latest animated film to hit Netflix, The Mitchells vs. the Machines.

The protagonist of the film is Katie Mitchell, a quirky teen with dreams of becoming a filmmaker. At home, Katie feels like she doesn’t fit in, but once she gets accepted into film school in California, she finally has a chance to be where she belongs. However, things aren’t all good for Katie — she frequently clashes with her stubborn father Rick, a technology-hating outdoorsman who doesn’t understand her dream. When father and daughter have a nasty fight the night before she leaves for college, Rick decides to mend his relationship with Katie by taking her on a cross-country road trip with her mother Linda, little brother Aaron, and pet dog Monchi. For Katie, it seems like things can’t get any worse… until out of nowhere, the world becomes invaded by an army of evil robots! Before long, this dysfunctional family becomes humanity’s only hope — can they stop bickering long enough to become the heroes the world needs?

The Mitchells vs. the Machines was made by the same animators who brought us Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse back in 2018, and it shows. Both films share a similar aesthetic, creating a distinct art style that sets them apart from other CGI animation and pushing the boundaries of what the medium can do. But it’s not just the animation that makes this movie special — the comedy is just as good. The film has a goofy, irreverent sense of humor that manages to keep things fun even as humanity is being conquered by a robot army. Not an easy task! If a dog dressed as a cop or a legion of evil Furbies sound like your definition of funny, then this film is for you. Like all great animated movies, The Mitchells vs. the Machines is silly enough for kids to love, but still has more subtle jokes that only older viewers will pick up on. References to Terminator and Ghostbusters and satire about modern tech companies will likely go over the heads of younger audience members, but to those who get the joke, they’re hilarious. I can’t remember the last time an animated movie has made me laugh this hard.

Of course, the real heart and soul of this film is the Mitchell family itself. Katie, Rick, Linda, and Aaron are all great characters in their own right, but together as a group, they bring this movie to life. Even though they may seem like over the top cartoon characters at first, the Mitchells all receive character development over the course of the film that highlights their all-too-human flaws. Much like The Incredibles before it, The Mitchells vs. the Machines provides a uniquely relatable look at family life, and all the little joys and frustrations it can bring. This is a film that sometimes hits a little too close to home, in the best possible way.

The Mitchells vs. the Machines is many things. It’s a comedy, an action movie, and a sci-fi thriller. It’s about technology and the many ways it affects our lives. It’s about the difficulty of dealing with the people close to you, especially when they’re just like you in all the worst ways. It’s also about the importance of family, and how our connections with the people we love make life bearable when times are hard. But most importantly, it’s an all-around fantastic film for kids and adults alike. I give it four out of four stars. If you love animated movies, I highly recommend giving it a watch on Netflix ASAP!