Although inspired by Chas Addams original cartoons from the 1930s, the new The Addams Family failed to capture a modern audience.
In comics, a good story can save bad art, but in animation, great art can not save bad voice acting. Sadly, that’s the case of what happened with The Addams Family and their stunt casting.
The animation and story for this animated feature are incredible, but the voice acting is horrible…except for the journeyman actors, Oscar Isaac and as much as I hate to admit it, Nick Kroll. Even the brief moments that Martin Short, Catherine O’Hara and Jennifer Lewis have in what should have been a nostalgia thrill ride, out shine the main cast.
As gorgeous as the animation is, as humorous as the writing was and the phenomenal tribute in design to creator, Chas Addams is, The Addams Family won’t allow you to get passed the bland voices. There is a difference between stoic and indifferent. Unfortunately, Chalize Theron doesn’t seem to know the difference.
I truly hate to cut down anyone’s hard work and effort, but even with a limited budget of $24 million, the voices need to be on point, especially with such a classic property. Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiernan have essentially put togethera great animated feature that should be watched only with the closed caption turned on.
Frankly, the standout voice is Stranger Things star, Finn Wolfhard, who voices Pugsley. The secondary story between Pugsley and Gomez fits perfectly in theme with how standing out is far more fun than fitting in with conventional norms, yet Gomez wanting Pugsley to follow in his footsteps in order to family traditions alive. Even, the mention of the Addams’ move to New Jersey being an homage to Chas Addams himself, a New Jersey native had its touching moments.
I really wish I could have liked this movie more as it has so much going for it on the positive side, but my ears wouldn’t let me get past the voice acting and if I had it playing in the background while making coffee, then I would be absolutely miserable. Luckily, the soundtrack is fun, especially the song by Christina Aguilera song Haunted Heart (show below). Hopefully, if MGM and Universal give The Addams Family another change, even with earning $200 million worldwide, that they will use traditional journeyman voice actors that can pull of the stoicism of Morticia and Wednesday.
The Addams Family comes home on Blu-ray and DVD today.
- Total Score
Summary
A heartwarming tribute to the creator as well as great animation and story can’t save The Addams Family from poor stunt casting.
