From the creators of the successful animated films Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) and The Lego Movie (2014), comes The Mitchells vs The Machines. This film from Sony Pictures Animation didn’t hit theaters but is exclusively available for all Netflix viewers. With this, Netflix introduces a new Original that entertains the entire family. In fact, there’s a good chance that (young) adults will find this film more enjoyable than younger children.
The story revolves around the chaotic Mitchell family. The Mitchells decide not to put their daughter Katie on a plane to her university but instead turn it into a fun road trip for the whole family. During this road trip across America, a conference takes place. The world’s largest tech company introduces a new robot assistant. The predecessor of this new robot is PAL, an all-knowing digital assistant on your phone. PAL is not pleased about being replaced. What follows is a robot apocalypse led by an AI assistant on a phone.
Everyone on Earth is captured so that the robots can create their own world, except for The Mitchells. The family, consisting of father Rick, mother Linda, daughter Katie, son Aaron, and dog Monchi, is tasked with saving humanity. Unfortunately for humanity, The Mitchells don’t get along very well with each other. What ensues is a film about defeating the robots, where the relationships within the family also need to be healed. A film for the whole family!
Voice Cast
What further strengthens The Mitchells vs The Machines is the massive star-studded cast. Just because they’re not visible on the screen doesn’t mean they deliver any less. With only their voices heard, the entire cast brings the story to life. Especially Olivia Colman, who breathes life into PAL in an animated film. Quite impressive! And a very different role from Queen Elizabeth in The Crown, Godmother in Fleabag, or her Oscar-winning role as Queen Anne in The Favourite.
Not only does Olivia Colman steal the show, but The Mitchells themselves are perfectly cast. Danny McBride and Abbi Jacobsen verbally spar as father Rick and daughter Katie. The father-daughter relationship couldn’t have been portrayed better. With the support of SNL alumni Maya Rudolph, Fred Armisen, and Beck Bennett, the comedy level is at its highest, even though they are only heard through their voices.
What is the main message of The Mitchells vs The Machines? Firstly, never replace an AI with a new, improved version. That doesn’t end well. And secondly, the film’s central theme, family relationships. The fact that parents and teenage children don’t always get along is well-known. The relationships between the Mitchells will feel very familiar to many families. That’s precisely what makes The Mitchells vs The Machines so good. It’s a genuine family film. And perhaps even better suited for the (young) adults in the family!
The Mitchells vs. The Machines (2021)
A quirky, dysfunctional family’s road trip is upended when they find themselves in the middle of the robot apocalypse and suddenly become humanity’s unlikeliest last hope.
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Cast: Abbi Jacobson, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Olivia Colman, and others.
Writers: Michael Rianda, Jeff Rowe, Peter Szilagyi
Directors: Michael Rianda, Jeff Rowe
