Any new animated film coming out during this generation will always have the difficulty of being compared to Pixar’s best work.
While Walt Disney Animation Studios have started to make some movies capable of rivaling the latter’s best work, DreamWorks are still struggling to capture the spark that makes Pixar’s work not just entertainment for children, but an example of cinema that anyone could enjoy.
With Mr. Peabody & Sherman, DreamWorks might not have crafted a Best Picture film, but they have created a movie they should be proud of.
When Frozen came out, I think what most impressed me was how well the characterization of Elsa captured how it felt to struggle with depression and anxiety disorders. With Mr. Peabody & Sherman, it is clear the filmmakers, similarly, used Mr. Peabody’s struggle as a father, as a metaphor for how much homosexual couples still struggle with societies’ perception of their parental skills. It was a nice touch that made me feel like DreamWorks were making a necessary step towards creating works of meaning rather than only entertainment for children.
The film is also aided by its source material which allowed the film to be composed of a complex plot, never letting parents become bored by a dumbed-down story.
The film is not without its flaws, however. Like most DreamWorks’ films, Mr. Peabody and Sherman contains one too many cultural references which are good for a chuckle today, but will be dated and unamusing years from now. Until they learn to create a movie which relies on genuine, lasting humor, DreamWorks will always be the green eyed monster of animated film production companies.
Although they are learning,thankfully, from their betters and showing progress. In the end, all its flaws can’t diminish everything the film has going for it. It’s a beautifully animated, intelligent movie that rarely stumbles. Coupled with frequent enough jokes to keep even the most disgruntled guardian amused, and Mr. Peabody & Sherman is a movie that will keep anyone entertained.
