When deciding whether to add a movie to my watchlist, I consider many things—the genre, the plot summary, the cast, directors, and screenwriters. Sometimes just a familiar name is enough to convince me to give a film a try. Producers or executives rarely influence this decision for me, though. Phil Lord and Christopher Miller have directed, written, and produced some of my favorite animated movies over the last decade (The LEGO Movies, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse), so I absolutely needed to see The Mitchells vs. The Machines, previously known as Connected. Mike Rianda makes his directorial debut with this film, also writing the screenplay and voicing Aaron Mitchell, son, alongside Jeff Rowe, the other writer. 2021 is shaping up to be a fantastic year. It really is. I loved Soul and Wolfwalkers, but if this Sony Pictures Animation movie had come out last year, I honestly don't know which one I would have ranked higher on my Top 10 list. Rianda and Rowe crafted a remarkably original screenplay, filled with characters that are easy to relate to and themes handled with care. It’s been a while since I laughed so loudly while watching an animated movie by myself. Every joke about technology is cleverly funny, poking fun at realistic yet ridiculous behaviors surrounding technical problems, slow internet speeds, and even the lack of Wi-Fi. I was laughing hard, but also close to tears because of the main story's emotional depth. I’ll start with Katie Mitchell. As a young, aspiring filmmaker, Abbi Jacobson's character follows a familiar arc about not having friends, being considered an oddball, and having parents—especially her father—who don't understand who she is or what she loves. While this storyline isn't entirely new, it’s captivating and emotionally powerful when written well. Rianda and Rowe make Katie a very relatable character in a way that makes it hard not to connect with her. Most people have felt left out or alone at some point. Since I share the same passion as Katie, it’s easier for me to feel what she feels when she finds new friends who understand the art she loves most. I still don't have friends I can meet up with regularly to discuss movie news and releases in person, so Katie’s journey has a more significant impact on me than it might for other viewers. However, it doesn't need to be about art; generally speaking, Katie just feels lonely and wants to pursue her dreams but feels unsupported by her father, Rick Mitchell (Danny McBride). One of the most compelling aspects of The Mitchells vs. The Machines is that Rick and Katie share a similar arc, although they approach it differently. While Katie thinks leaving home is the best solution to all her problems, Rick believes staying with the family is safer—a belief rooted in his own past experiences, leading him to overprotect his daughter at all costs. Because of their opposing viewpoints, constant arguments, lies, and hurtful comments drive them apart, creating a story about family, love, friendship, and understanding where each person is coming from. Katie's mother, Linda Mitchell (Maya Rudolph), and brother, Aaron Mitchell (Rianda), primarily serve to spark meaningful conversations with the two main characters, but they also have their own personal journeys. While Linda feels envious of her neighbors’ seemingly perfect lives on social media and embarrassed to share her family photos, Aaron deals with his unusual love for dinosaurs in a lighter, funnier way than Katie's more dramatic arc. Both storylines offer valuable messages for the audience, but Katie and Rick's tense relationship highlights sensitive issues that many families struggle to resolve. Another remarkable thing about this screenplay is how Rianda and Rowe avoid taking sides on any issue. They try to present both perspectives of a conflict, following one of the film’s main messages. For example, The Mitchells vs. The Machines could easily be seen as an attack on the internet and technology in general, but every line of dialogue feels carefully balanced. While comments are made about using phones at dinner or during family time, and about excessive screen time and reliance on social media, new technology can also inspire incredibly creative and influential works of art. Without it, Katie’s dreams would be completely different. Moving to the film's technical aspects, it's impossible not to discuss the unique animation style. Into the Spider-Verse was an experimental movie that may have changed animation forever. The combination of a more illustrative, hand-painted approach with the CGI realism seen in most films today creates—just like the movie itself—a seamless blend of these seemingly opposing styles. This mix allows for both expressiveness and incredible detail while maintaining a realistic environment through 3D/CGI design. The action sequences are energetic, exciting, and quite impressive. The film's soundtrack (music by Mark Mothersbaugh) is perfect, enhancing many scenes with excellent music choices that viewers probably won’t even realize they already knew. The editing (Greg Levitan) is superb, and the voice acting across the board is outstanding. I genuinely can't find a single flaw in this movie, and I would be surprised—and disappointed—if it doesn't become a contender for awards next year. Both kids and adults will have a great time with this fast-paced, highly entertaining film while also learning some valuable life lessons along the way. And who knows? Maybe this movie will inspire families to finally take that road trip they’ve been planning for ages… The Mitchells vs. The Machines might not have the most memorable title, but it's definitely one of the best animated feature films in recent years. With a beautiful blend of animation styles—that may influence future movies—Mike Rianda and Jeff Rowe deliver an emotionally resonant story about family, love, and understanding other people’s perspectives. Featuring incredibly relatable characters, the remarkably written screenplay strikes a perfect balance on every topic it addresses by presenting arguments for both sides without declaring anything as right or wrong. The character arcs might be familiar storylines, but the exceptional writing elevates each personal journey, especially Katie and Rick's, daughter and father. Boasting great voice work from everyone involved, the fast-paced story still has impressive, colorful action sequences filled with energy, excitement, and fantastic music choices. It’s one of those rare films where I can’t find a single flaw. A must-watch, *hilarious* film for both kids and adults. Rating: A

Source on TMDB