#REVIEW: “THE ADDAMS FAMILY 2”

Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong

The Addams Family were reintroduced to us back in 2019, and they’re back with a Sequel, in The Addams Family 2! While its predecessor focused on them moving into town, getting acquainted and to see the town turn against them, this installment focuses on something much more sinister. A strange man approaches the Addams to inform them a member of their family is actually an imposter.

The unfortunate news that is delivered to Gomez (Oscar Isaac) and Morticia (Charlize Theron), comes from Mr. Mustela (Wallace Shawn) and they decide to take the family on a miserable road trip to escape the crazed man who is obsessed with getting to the bottom of the Addams family tree. There is also some chaos at the Science Fair which dear Wednesday (Chloë Grace Moretz) should clearly have won, but the school decided to make everyone a winner. Her project does catch the eye of Scientist Cyrus (Bill Hader). As the family goes on their North American adventure, Pugsley (Javon Walton) and Uncle Fester (Nick Kroll) get into some classic antics, as the family finally makes their way to Cousin It (Snoop Dogg).

Admittedly, the Film feels like a collection of Shorts which are stitched together until Cousin It arrives. While the story line of whom might or might not be an Addams unfolds slowly, it is the theme of familial bonds among this Motley Crew that is the heart of the story, giving them a real dilemma to solve.

What does work incredibly well for The Addams Family 2 is the Voice Work provided by its outstanding Cast. They all put-in a fresh, unique spin on their characters, similarly to what they did in the first movie, while genuinely entertaining the audience. We forget that it’s Isaac is playing Gomez and Theron playing Morticia and we’d be down for an Addams Family live-action Film with this same Cast as their energy transcends the animation.  Kroll particularly is a standout.

While The Addams Family 2 takes a lot more twists and turns that the previous Film, it eventually finds its way by the Third Act that is sure to bring joy to audiences.

Universal Pictures Canada release THE ADDAMS FAMILY 2 in theatres Friday, October 1, 2021.