As a 90s kid, I grew up watching the 1991 film version of the Addams Family. I was always watching it nonstop. It was always on television, and my grandmother would turn it on because it was pretty much the only thing that would entertain me and keep me from bouncing off the walls. My cousins and family members compared me to Christina Ricci’s character “Wednesday Addams” because we both had dark hair pale skin. When Ricci and the rest of the cast reunited in 1993 for the “Addams Family Values” sequel, I loved it.
So I was surprised to hear that the film was remade again, especially as a fully animated movie. The thought of replacing the unique Christina Ricci as Wednesday Addams as an animated person seemed without a doubt, out of the question. The thought of having her dark style and humor through her deadpan expression replaced by a cartoon felt unimaginable. But, I applaud this new animated film, directed by Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiernan.
The new Addams Family movie, which was released Oct. 11, is still just as creepy and kooky as the previous film and television adaptations. The movie’s ghoulish cartoon characters fit the season, whether your Halloween style is spooky or sweet.
The film being cartoon made me iffy about wanting to give it a chance but it is safe to say it is compelling while still remaining mysterious.
Though I do not believe the original can be topped, the animations are exaggeratedly sculpted to fit the Charles Addams ghostly vibes of the original characters and the bizarre, dark humor does not go unnoticed.
The main cast of vibrant characters from the original series is present including Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, It, Uncle Fester, Lerch, Thing and Pugsley. Throughout the film, Gomez tries to teach Pugsely how to be a “man.” Morticia wants Wednesday to become more like her after noticing she makes a new friend that is not necessarily like them, leading her to worry that Wednesday would change. Eventually the plot leads up to an event ceremony that brings the family together. The additional new characters along with the originals overall form a favorable storyline.
The animated Addams cast is full of life and spooks with popular cast member voices including Snoop Dogg, Finn Wolfhard from Stranger Things fame and Chloe Grace Moretz.
According to the domestic box office, The Addams Family’s first weekend grossed $30,300,007; number two just under “Joker,” attracting original Addams family fans and converting new ones.
