The Mitchells vs. the Machines mini review

The Mitchells vs. the Machines (Exclusive Series)

Initial release date: April 23, 2021

Studios: Netflix Sony Pictures Animation Lord-Miller Productions

Plot: Young Katie Mitchell embarks on a road trip with her proud parents, younger brother and beloved dog to start her first year at film school. But their plans to bond as a family soon get interrupted when the world’s electronic devices come to life to stage an uprising. With help from two friendly robots, the Mitchells must now come together to save one another - and the planet - from the new technological revolution.

Cast

Abbi Jacobson (The Lego Ninjago Movie) - Katie Mitchell

Danny McBridge (Angry Birds 2) - Rick Mitchell

Maya Rudolph (Netflix’s Hubie Halloween) - Linda Mitchell

Michael Rianda - Aaron Mitchell

Eric Andre (Bad Trip; The Lion King) - Mark Bowman

Olivia Colman (The Father) - PAL

Fred Armisen (Jay and Silent Bob Reboot) - Deborahbot 5000

Beck Bennett (Bill and Ted Face the Music) - Eric

Chrissy Teigen - Hailey Posey

John Legend - Jim Posey

Charlyne Yi (Trolls World Tour) - Abby Posey

Blake Griffin - PAL MAX Prime

Writer/directors: Michael Rianda and Jeff Rowe

Rated PG for action and some language (113 minutes)

‘The Mitchells vs. the Machines’ is a creative, entertaining family flick that is a definite don’t miss! As soon as the movie starts, there are lots and lots of extremely fun moments that follow.

There are quite a few hilarious moments scattered throughout, and the animation is really amazing. This oddball animated family feature does an incredible job keeping the whole family laughing and there are even a few moments that are really heart-felt - especially when the father and daughter become closer.

So, if you are looking for a nice movie for family night on Netflix, I suggest you check out ‘The Mitchells vs. the Machines.’ A great animated family flick with loads of fun and heart!

Here are some interesting tidbits about ‘The Mitchells vs. the Machines’:

• Originally titled ‘The Mitchells vs. the Machines’ then changed to ‘Connected,’ but once it was purchased by Netflix the title reverted back to the original title.

• Monchi the Dog was originally going to be voiced by a professional voice actor, but in a surprising move the part was given to internet celebrity Doug the Pug.

• Sony Animation’s first Netflix exclusive film.

• Sony Animation announced this project on May 22, 2018, with producers Phil Lord and Christopher Miller. They also produced ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ and the two ‘Jump Street’ movies.’

• The film is the duo’s fourth collaboration with Sony Animation following the two ‘Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs movies and the animated ‘Spider-Man,’ as well as the studio’s first original feature film since ‘The Star.’

• Further details were revealed a year later at the 2019 Annecy International Animated Film Festival that June, when Sony Animation president Kristine Belson revealed that the film would be using an animation style similar to ‘Into the Spider-Verse.’

• The movie was originally scheduled to be theatrically released by Sony in the US on January 10, 2020, but was later delayed to Sept. 18 of that year. It was delayed again to Oct. 23, due to the pandemic. The movie was later removed from the release schedule in October, though the movie was still set to be released later in 2020 at the time of its removal.

• On January 21, 2021, Netflix bought the worldwide distribution rights to the film for about $110 million, with Sony retaining distribution rights in China.