In the movie The Mitchells vs. The Machines, “the world’s weirdest family” the Mitchells, are an energetic family of five. Following husband and wife Rick and Linda, their daughter Katie, son Aaron, and the family dog Monchi, the family are the only ones left on the planet to save the human race. We follow them on a cross-country road trip to drop their daughter Katie off at film school in California. 

The movie details the Mitchell family’s attempts to find a way to reconnect, despite living in a world where technology is everything. This is especially hard for our main character Katie, voiced by Abbi Jacobson, and her father Rick, voiced by Danny McBride. Katie being an avid media enthusiast, and her Dad being a raging outdoorsman, butt heads frequently. Each has somewhat of a sidekick, Rick’s is Katie’s mother Linda, voiced by Maya Rudolph, and Katie’s is her younger brother Aaron, voiced by Michael Rianda. Watching as Katie and her Dad regrow and strengthen their bond from what it once was is a primary theme, with the additional help of Monchi, voiced by Doug the Pug of course. The pair went through turmoil and struggle and you can witness their bond grow as they begin to learn that not only do they share a lot of differences but also quite a few similarities. Despite having different opinions on technology, they share the same stubbornness. The thing with fending off the world from evil robots that want to take over is that it gives you multiple opportunities to get in some good old family bonding.

This original movie is slowly making waves, currently helming the spot as the number one most watched item on Netflix. The animation in this movie was beyond everyone’s expectations. Though the movie was largely 3D animation, it still had a cartoony feel that was a refreshing change in the animation world, definitely adding to the story. After years of working on the show Gravity Falls as a creative director and writer, this movie was also director Michael Rianda’s feature directorial debut, where he not only directed, but also co-wrote and co-starred in the movie. 

Despite it being a children’s movie, it’s definitely a film for all ages. It brought aspects of the real world into the movie, integrating things such as internet memes, video production, and family bonding. Showcasing aspects like this gave the viewers a stronger connection to the movie. This movie scored a 98% on the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer, and had an overwhelmingly good review from audiences. The movie was fun, but not only that, as it was continuously funny, never hitting a boring spot, and constantly having you question what’s next. Despite having simple humor, it appeals to audiences of all ages. Its animation style also helped balance the movie, marked by the character of the distinct style it employed. This movie brought a stylistic element back that we have only really seen in a few other movies, including other blockbuster animated movies such as Spiderman Into The Spiderverse and The Lego Movie. Their animation is what made the movies so great to watch, as it is new and exciting. 

It’s not only the animation that makes this movie strong, it’s also the characters. Specifically, it showcases a young, openly queer female. Having representation in this movie also added an  appeal to audiences, specifically Millennials and older Gen Z watchers. This made it to where it didn’t need to have a limited fanbase age-wise. Having a queer female as the main character has taken a new step for greater acceptance and representation. It effectively showed a different version of what is perceived as a perfect family.

After following the Mitchells in this technology crisis, watching them grow and learn how to work together as a family, even adding new members along the way, was heartwarming. The resounding importance of needing support, having backup, and making sure that everyone has a support system rings clear in this wholesome all-ages movie.