The Addams Family 2
In a superior sequel, the kookie kinfolk head for Death Valley in a hybrid camper van, “half car, half eyesore”.
Twisted tourism: Morticia and Wednesday
The most eccentric and unpredictable family in the US was created by the American cartoonist Charles Addams in 1938, after which they became a household name with their television series in the 1960s. They had further success on the big screen twice in the early 1990s with Anjelica Huston and Raul Julia as Morticia and Gomez Addams before this animation franchise gave the family a new lease of life.
This new adventure is a genuine treat for adults and children alike with Charlize Theron and Oscar Isaac lending their voices as the head of this extraordinary family. Gomez decides to take the family on a road trip in their bizarre camper van to “the happiest place in America: Death Valley”. But hot on their heels is Cyrus Strange (Bill Hader), a megalomaniac scientist who claims that Wednesday Addams (Chloe Grace Moretz) is in fact his own daughter…
It is all deliciously funny with a witty script and fun references to Jaws and Carrie. There is also a hilarious version of the classic song ‘I Will Survive’ in a bikers’ bar, but it is Wednesday who steals the show with the best lines (“Don’t hug me – I have been social distancing since birth”). The bright, inventive designs may lack the dark vision of Tim Burton but there is plenty to enjoy here.
GEORGE SAVVIDES
Voices of Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloë Grace Moretz, Javon Walton, Nick Kroll, Wallace Shawn, Snoop Dogg, Bette Midler, Bill Hader.
Dir Greg Tiernan and Conrad Vernon, Pro Gail Berman, Conrad Vernon, Danielle Sterling and Alison O'Brien, Screenplay Dan Hernandez, Benji Samit, Ben Queen and Susanna Fogel, Ed Ryan Folsey, Music Mychael Danna and Jeff Danna.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Bron Creative/Cinesite Studios/Nitrogen Studios/The Jackal Group/Glickmania-Universal Pictures.
93 mins. USA/Canada. 2021. Rel: 8 October 2021. Cert. PG.
