With its
2012 acquisition of the Classic Media library, animation juggernaut DreamWorks
Animation opened the door to reintroducing a number of revered properties, and
the first of many future adaptations was none other than Mr. Peabody & Sherman.
The kid-and-canine time travelers enjoyed a heyday of popularity in the
1960s thanks to recurring segments on The
Rocky and Bullwinkle Show, but appealing to today’s market was still going
to prove tricky. Rising to the
challenge, the marketing team used traditional promotional partnerships with
McDonald’s, aggressive outdoor advertising, and brilliant custom animation
spots (featured everywhere from Sochi to Modern
Family syndication) to ensure that the distinctive bow tie and lenses were around
every corner. Factor-in the added appeal
of an all-star voice cast that included Ty Burrell and Stanley Tucci, and mass
awareness could quickly shift to anticipation for the “Dogfather of All
Comedies.” DreamWorks Animation has had
a bit of a messy track record with non-franchise properties lately, but with
the pedigree of this particular production team, there was a distinct chance that
audiences would embrace this historical quest.
Cute,
clever, and downright heartwarming, Mr.
Peabody & Sherman is a fun adventure sure to charm older audiences and
teach younger viewers a few “fun facts” about history…all while delivering plenty
of laughs along the way. Ty Burrell is
endearing and instantaneously likable as the smartest living being in the
world, but the real scene stealer is Max Charles as Sherman, conveying a sense
of innocence that director Rob Minkoff deftly uses to legitimize the father and
son dynamic and tug at the heart strings.
In terms of the animation, the time-travel sequences in the WABAC are
more than enough to justify shelling-out a few extra dollars for some 3D
glasses. And granted, a good portion of
the better jokes will go over kids’ heads, and bully/antagonist Penny goes a
little too dark to earn redemption, but that doesn’t take away from overall
enjoyment. Bottom line: if you’re
looking for a smart and enjoyable time at the theater, don’t let yourself miss Mr. Peabody & Sherman.
For more
information, please read the full review.
Overall
Recommendation: Very High
