Grade: B-

The Addams Family is the classic spooky and odd family everyone has loved since 1937. It was created as a cartoon series for the New Yorker magazine. The Addams Family, is back to entertain a new generation. In the newest adaption of the loveable tv show, “The Addams Family” has been updated and animated to bring smiles and laughs to a new audience in 2019. 

I used to watch The Addams Family live action TV show as a kid. I always found their “gag” funny. Each of the family members had their own distinct personalities and it was a joy to watch. The show was well written and it simply worked. 

In the new animated movie simply titled, “The Addams Family,” audiences are presented to a time in the Addams’ lives where they are not so welcomed by their new neighbors in the town called “Assimilation.” Not to give too much away in the short hour and twenty-seven minute “PG” rated movie, but the main plot of the film is to deliver a message of acceptance. The oddball Addams’ simply wanted to be accepted in a town where everyone is more or less the same. The plot is thin but for a short kids’ movie, it does work. Like other animated movies aimed at children, there are PLENTY of jokes for the adults that will easily go over the heads of the kids in the audience. It did get me to laugh quite a few times. The family friendly “PG” rating forces the script to deliver good and clean jokes in a tasteful way. 

“The Addams Family” boasts quite a large roster of great actors that lend their voices to the film. Oscar Isaac voices Gomez Addams, Charlize Theron voices Morticia Addams, Chloë Grace Moretz voices Wednesday Addams, Finn Wolfhard voices Pugsley Addams, and Nick Kroll voices Uncle Fester. All of the actors were perfect for their characters. Nick Kroll basically does his character of “Coach Steve” from the great Netflix show “Big Mouth.” Side note, “Big Mouth” is not for kids even though it is a cartoon. It is about a group of kids going through puberty and it is absolutely hilarious! The rapper Snoop Dogg lends his voice to “The Addams Family” as Cousin It, but unfortunately you really cannot tell that it is him. Cousin It’s introduction in the movie is clearly Snoop Dogg though and it was very well done! If you’re a fan of the rapper, you will know when Cousin It arrives in the film. The scene definitely made me smile!

Not much more can be said about this short movie other than that it is extremely fun for all ages, if you’re a fan of the kooky and spooky family. “The Addams Family” is a great way to get into the Halloween spirit without any horror aspect involved. Kids will be laughing and adults will be laughing as well, as it makes you recall your childhood watching the old black and white episodes on tv! Wrangle up your creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky friends and family and have Lurch drive your gang to the nearest theater to see “The Addams Family.”