The Mitchell family vs. the machines (2021)

ÎThe Mitchell family vs. the machines ar (original title in English: The Mitchells vs. the Machines) is a digital animated film produced by Sony Pictures Animation and distributed by Netflix. It premiered on April 30, 2021 and was directed by Mike Rianda, who also co-wrote the script with Jeff Rowe. The film was produced by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, known for their work in films such as The Lego Movie and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, which has already generated great expectations due to his innovative experience in animated cinema.

This feature film is a comic and family adventure that mixes science fiction, absurd humor and a powerful story about the importance of the connection between parents and children in the digital age. Through a vibrant and visually dynamic narrative, the film portrays a dysfunctional family that ends up being humanity's last hope in the face of a technological apocalypse.

Synopsis

Katie Mitchell is a creative young woman and film lover, who is about to begin her college life at a film school in California. She has had a conflictive relationship with her father, Rick, a nature-loving man who does not fully understand the digital world or his daughter's technological passions. To try to reconnect with her before she moves in, Rick decides to cancel his flight and take a family road trip, taking his wife Linda, his little brother Aaron, and their dog Monchi.

What starts as a somewhat awkward family outing suddenly turns into a mission to save the world, when an artificial intelligence called PAL, developed by a company similar to Apple or Google, takes control of all technological devices and launches a robot rebellion. PAL considers that humans are irresponsible and should be eliminated or captured. Only the Mitchell family, by chance of fate, manages to escape the initial attack.

Without training or experience, but with ingenuity, creativity and a lot of heart, the Mitchells become humanity's last hope to defeat machines and restore peace. During their adventure, they face killer drones, rebellious appliances, and robots that do not understand human behavior. However, they also find moments to heal family wounds and rediscover what really unites them.

Cast (Voices in English)

• Abbi Jacobson like Katie Mitchell: The protagonist, a young artist and aspiring film director.
• Danny McBride like Rick Mitchell: Katie's father, nature lover and quite clumsy with technology.
• Maya Rudolph like Linda Mitchell: The optimistic and conciliatory mother, who tries to keep the family together.
• Mike Rianda like Aaron Mitchell: The younger brother obsessed with dinosaurs and very close to Katie.
• Olivia Colman like PAL: The antagonistic artificial intelligence that starts the robotic revolt.
• Eric Andre like Mark Bowman: The creator of PAL, a kind of technological genius in the Elon Musk style.
• Fred Armisen and Beck Bennett like Deborahbot 5000 and Eric, two defective robots joining the Mitchells.

The Spanish version (Latin American dubbing) also featured a talented cast that managed to convey the humor and emotions of the film.

Criticisms

The film was widely praised by specialized critics. In places like Rotten Tomatoes, obtained a rating of 97% approval, while in Metacritic achieved a score of 80 out of 100, indicating generally favorable reviews.

Among the aspects highlighted by critics are:

• Stylized and experimental animation, which reminds us of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, with a mix of digital techniques, hand-drawn effects and an aesthetic inspired by social networks and memes.
• The script, which balances absurd humor with emotional moments, exploring themes such as generational disconnection, technology and the modern family.
• The characters, especially Katie, who represents a new generation of creative and diverse young people, with unique dreams and an authentic personality.
• The rhythm, which keeps energy constant during its almost two hours of duration, without feeling excessive.

It was also praised for its ability to be enjoyable for both children and adults, thanks to its multiple layers of reading.

Public reception

The public responded very positively. In Netflix, became one of the most viewed animated films of 2021. Many people praised the authenticity of the family portrait, witty humor, and modern depiction of a dysfunctional but loving family.

On platforms like IMDb, it has a rating of 7.6/10, and on social media she received a wave of positive comments, especially among young adults who identified with Katie and her struggle for family understanding.

Additionally, her subtle but significant depiction of diversity was highlighted: Katie is a young queer, which is suggested at various points in the film, but without making it a central conflict. This detail was widely celebrated for its naturalness and for offering a positive model of inclusion in a children's production.

Technical and visual aspects

One of the greatest achievements of The Mitchell family vs. the machines it's his unique visual style. Unlike many conventional animated films, this one takes a riskier approach, combining:

• 3D animation with hand drawn 2D effects, which simulate sketchbook drawings or visual effects that Katie could add to her own videos.
• Vibrant colors, text bursts, emojis, animated memes, and YouTube-style transitions, making it feel like a mix between a feature film and a home internet video.
• Cartoon character design, with exaggerated proportions but very human expressions, which transmit humor and emotion effectively.
• Sound design and music, which combines an original soundtrack with modern pop songs, adding dynamism and emotion in key scenes.

The technical team behind the film was inspired by styles such as comics, digital collage and experimental animation, resulting in a fresh and completely immersive audiovisual experience.

Conclusion

The Mitchell family vs. the machines it is much more than an animated comedy: it is a modern and emotional portrait of what it means to be a family in the 21st century. With a perfect mix of action, humor, social criticism and tenderness, the film manages to convey deep messages without losing fun or falling into clichés.

His success lies in his ability to speak to both parents and children, using science fiction as a metaphor for the real challenges of modern life: technology, family communication, acceptance of individuality and mutual respect.

Furthermore, its groundbreaking visual style and frenetic pace make it a gem of recent animated cinema. It is no exaggeration to say that this film joins the list of the best animation works of the last decade, along with productions such as Coco, Soul and Spider-Verse.

Recommended for all ages, The Mitchell family vs. the machines it is an unmissable experience that, like its protagonist, celebrates creativity, difference and the power of family, even when everything seems to be against it.

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