Year: 2014
Rated PG
Rating: * * * Stars
Cast: Ty Burrell, Max Charles, Ariel Winter
A rollicking good time is what you'll have if you check out the latest animated time travel adventure, Mr. Peabody & Sherman 3D. Based on a segment featured in the 1960's cartoon series The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show, this flick has about as much energy as five animated ones put together. In fact, the whole running time is fused with a large amount of ADHD. But no need to worry, you'll still embrace the characters, the story which masquerades as being educational, and the blessed, technical skill helmed by director Rob Minkoff (The Lion King, Stuart Little). In other words, this is a kids movie that excels in the computer-animation department. Added to that, I just recently saw it in 3D and that only made the proceedings much more fuller and to a degree, much more richer as well.
Featuring the voices of Ty Burrell (TV's Modern Family) and Lesile Mann (This Is 40, Knocked Up), "Peabody" is one of those films that doesn't really have a beginning. As things start with some narration by you guessed it, Mr. Peabody (a pint-size dog with glasses), you say to yourself, "what have I missed" or "what has already happened". The opening shot shows his high-rise mansion in New York City. Then, there is a flashback to his early dog days (ha ha) when he describes himself as a dog who wasn't like other dogs. More intelligent, less catered to the demands of an owner who wants a frisbee retrieved, and not as loving as most pets, Mr. Peabody eventually becomes a genius, a scholar, and an inventor of time travel. He also decides to adopt a son (I know a dog adopting a human being as his child, just go with it) named Sherman (voiced by Max Charles). Together, they go back in time in a sphere-like machine that travels at intense, warp speeds.
Ultimately though, I couldn't quite understand the reasoning behind the PG rating. I mean, in my lifetime, I've seen much darker, more intense G fare than this. There is maybe one scene in the first half (a engagement ceremony in Ancient Egypt) that might come off as disturbing. Otherwise, this is an animated exercise that can be viewed by kids of all ages. With swooping camerawork and 3D effects that give you your money's worth, Mr. Peabody & Sherman 3D is pure bliss. The current list of best films from 2014 is short but I assure you, this one is predominantly on it.
Written by Jesse Burleson
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