Movie Review: Mr. Peabody & Sherman
Written by Anthony Sargon
It’s been a pretty slow season at the movies lately. We’re in kind of a lull where only about one major studio film is released per weekend, although things will start picking up in the coming weeks. Thankfully, “Mr. Peabody & Sherman” is an extremely fun and vibrant adaptation of the classic Peabody’s Improbable History cartoon segments that will leave audiences of all ages giddy and excited for more adventures.
Mr. Peabody (Ty Burrell) is arguably the smartest creature in the world. He’s a well-mannered, highly educated and cultured dog who has devoted his life to accomplishing great things. When Peabody comes across an abandoned baby called Sherman (Max Charles), he adopts the boy and takes him in as his own. Mr. Peabody then goes on to teach Sherman all about history using a time machine called the WABAC, traveling to some of the most influential epochs of human history. When Sherman uses the WABAC to impress his school rival Penny (Ariel Winter), they cause a rift in the space-time continuum, one that they can only fix with Mr. Peabody’s help.
I had a blast with the film. Director Rob Minkoff and writer Jay Ward have found a way to update this classic cartoon while preserving what made it so charming in the first place. Yes, Sherman is like Mr. Peabody’s dog in a way, but the film sympathizes with both and doesn’t insult either character for who they are. There are some incredibly sweet moments between the two, and you buy their relationship, no matter how wacky it seems. The film is also extremely funny and filled with historical puns and fun facts. What’s cool is that kids will actually walk away from the film having learned one or two things about history, which is an added bonus.
The animation work is great, as we’ve all come to expect, and is used to great effect to transport us to a myriad of different eras in human history. Our characters visit Ancient Egypt, Italy during the Renaissance, France during the French Revolution, and even the city of Troy when it’s on the brink of being demolished by Agamemnon’s Greek forces. Again, kids can learn little tidbits of history while adults enjoy a number of jokes that are bound to go over many kids’ heads. There’s as much here for adults as there is for kids, and that’s where the film succeeds big time. I also want to give credit to Ty Burrell who, thanks to some brilliant voice acting, makes Mr. Peabody funny and likable, even if he seems a bit stiff on the surface.
The Verdict:
Funny, sweet, and even educational, “Mr. Peabody & Sherman” is a guaranteed good time for audiences of all ages.
Numerical Score: 8/10
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