Maybe it’s because I haven’t really traveled in over a year. Maybe it’s because, up until this month, I hadn’t seen my sister in two years due to the pandemic. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s because I can relate to so many of the characters in this movie for different reasons. Whatever the reason, The Mitchells vs The Machines on Netflix is a must-see for family movie night. Available to stream beginning April 30, 2021, this computer animated movie hits all the right notes in a hilarious, over-the-top plot that centers around the importance of family.
THE MITCHELLS VS. THE MACHINES - (L-R) Maya Rudolph as “Linda Mitchell”, Abbi Jacobson as “Katie Mitchell”, Mike Rianda as “Aaron Mitchell”, Doug the Pug as “Monchi” and Danny McBride as “Rick Mitchell”. Cr: ©2021 SPAI. All Rights Reserved.
The Mitchells vs The Machines on Netflix: A Parents Guide
Buckle up. This movie is a wild ride from beginning to end. But first things first. The Mitchells vs The Machines (formerly known as Connected) was originally supposed to be a theatrical release from Sony Pictures. However, due to the pandemic, its theatrical release was cancelled and Netflix acquired rights to the movie. As a result, Netflix subscribers are in luck. As you can tell from above, this movie blew me away - in a good way.
In the beginning of the movie, Kate Mitchell (Abbi Jacobson) is about to leave for college to study film. Feeling like she never fit in, she’s actually looking forward to meeting people who share the same interests as her. However, she has a rocky relationship with her dad, Rick (Danny McBride). Her mom, Linda (Maya Rudolph), is the peacemaker in the family and her younger brother Aaron (Mike Rianda) is strangely obsessed with dinosaurs. In an effort to bond with Kate, Rick decides to take the family on a road trip to drop Kate off at college, to Kate’s dismay. Things get even zanier when robots try to take over Earth. Yes, really! While the premise sounds farfetched (and honestly it is), the movie moves along at such a great pace and with a lot of humor, that you’re more than willing to accept the sudden, robotic takeover of Earth, just to see how it all pans out. The Mitchells’ dog, Monchi (Doug the Pug), is also along for the ride, and he inexplicably plays a major role in the resolution of the movie. Which will no doubt appeal to kids.
While the movie is filled with a lot of funny gags as well as a lot of action, it’s also a very touching movie about the importance of family. For example, the Mitchells are considered weird by outsiders, including their neighbors (the Poseys, voiced by John Legend and Chrissy Teigen) who live a seemingly perfect life and do not find the Mitchells “instagram worthy.” Ultimately, it’s the family dynamic that moves the film forward and holds it together.
What is The Mitchells vs The Machines Rated?
The Mitchells vs The Machines is rated TV-PG for some moments of peril and action sequences. Characters don’t use profanity at all - instead, they say words like “darn,” “dang,” “scumbag,” “stupid,” and “dummy.” There also isn’t any sexual content. Additionally, while there are several action scenes in the movie, the scenes are not graphic at all. Some of the robots are injured but viewers won’t see any blood being shed; instead, it’s oil.
As you can tell, my family and I LOVED this movie. If you’re looking for a movie to watch for your next family movie night, this movie is it. And if you’re looking for other family friendly movies to watch on Netflix (after you’ve seen The Mitchells vs The Machines), click here for my review for Jingle Jangle.
About The Mitchells vs The Machines
From the humans who brought you the Academy Award-winning Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and The LEGO Movie comes The Mitchells vs. The Machines, an animated action-comedy about an ordinary family who find themselves in the middle of their biggest family challenge yet…saving the world from the robot apocalypse. No big deal, right? It all starts when creative outsider Katie Mitchell is accepted into the film school of her dreams and is eager to leave home and find “her people,” when her nature-loving dad insists on having the whole family drive her to school and bond during one last totally-not-awkward-or-forced road trip. But just when the trip can’t get any worse, the family suddenly finds itself in the middle of the robot uprising! Everything from smart phones, to roombas, to evil Furbys are employed to capture every human on the planet. Now it’s up to the Mitchells, including upbeat mom Linda, quirky little brother Aaron, their squishy pug, Monchi, and two friendly, but simple-minded robots to save humanity.
Sounds like a good movie to watch.