Mr Peabody and Sherman: Movie Review

Mr Peabody and Sherman: Movie Review

Voice cast: Ty Burrell, Max Charles, Ariel Winter, Stanley Tucci
Director: Rob Minkoff

They say every dog has its day - and now this latest kids animated piece sets out to prove it.

The tales of a time-travelling dog and his human companion were a big hit in the 1960s TV landscape. Years later, this spin-off from The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show has now got its own full-length movie outing.

Mr Peabody (voiced by Modern Family's Phil Dunphy aka Ty Burrell) is a talking dog, whose superior intellect meant he was ostracised when he was younger for being too intellectual. Years later, Peabody adopted Sherman (Charles) and the two have been close ever since, with Sherman sharing in Peabody's time travelling ways as he visits history rather than just learning about it.

However, when Sherman starts school for the first time, he finds himself bullied by mean girl Penny (Modern Family's Ariel Winter). Things get worse when Mr Peabody sets up a meeting for the families to try and resolve the issue - and Penny discovers the time-travelling escapades, becoming lost in the past.

So begins a rush through history to find her and restore harmony at home....

Zany, and with some terribly corny puns that kids will love, Mr Peabody and Sherman is a bit of an animated blast (from the past). Thanks to the episodic feel and a rush through history (ancient Egypt, Greece and the Renaissance), kids will love the animated antics of this duo and adults will find some of the more lunatic moments a welcome addition to a fun plot.

All of the necessities are there for this family outing - a tender storyline involving a father and son (even if it is an adopted relationship), dealing with school bullies and a chance to bring history vividly and rollickingly to life. Throw in some silly word-play and all the ingredients combine to make Mr Peabody and Sherman an animated fest that works despite the oddness and wacky non-sequitur moments being thrown in for nonsensical effect.

And yet, the conclusion of this film completely loses any semblance of reality, becomes confused as it gets wrapped up in its own time travel shenanigans and is just a little confusing. The 3D is used in some parts to generically lazy effect (things flying out of the screen for no reason other than they can) but the voice cast is excellent - with Burrell channeling enough nerdiness and warmth into his Peabody that it feels welcoming.

At the end of the day, Mr Peabody and Sherman is a goofy zany movie which will keep the kids amused in the holidays - but this time travelling tail (sic) may also do a little more than that, stoking the fires of interest in history - which is a true bona fido (sic) treat for all.

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