2020 has proven to be an interesting time for animation. Ever since the Coronavirus pandemic closed down movie theaters, the entire film industry has had to recalibrate. Right now, animated fare is thriving, thanks to families being desperate for new things to watch at home. Trolls World Tour had a VOD debut, Onward has been a bigger hit on Digital and Disney+ than it was in theaters, and so on. This week, Netflix joins in with one of their big animated pushes for 2020 in The Willoughbys. A bright and manic flick, it has moments of lively fun and will enthrall younger audience members. As for adults? Well, it won’t be a chore to sit through, at least. The movie is an animated adventure, centering on the title family, and in particular, the children. Narrated by The Cat (voice of Ricky Gervais), we learn of the plight of the youngest Willoughbys. The kids, consisting of first born son Tim (voice of Will Forte), daughter Jane (voice Alessia Cara), and twins boys named Barnaby (voice of Seán Cullen) live with incredible selfish parents Father (voice of Martin Short) and Mother (voice of Jane Krakowski). Completely ignored and neglected, they’re positive they’d be better off raising themselves. So, the kids begin to hatch a plan to get rid of their parents, sending them on a vacation they’d never return from. Thus begins an adventure for the siblings, one that ultimately will, you guessed it, teach them the true meaning of family. Kris Pearn co-directs with Cory Evans and Rob Lodermeier, while Pearn also co-writes with Priscilla Parizeau and Mark Stanleigh here, based on the book by Lois Lowry. Sebastian Brodin provides the cinematography, while Mark Mothersbaugh composes the score. Other voice performers in the project include Terry Crews, Maya Rudolph, and more. Colorful animation and energy are the name of the game here. The film never once slows down, and you either get on board with its good hearted manic nature or you don’t. The mania can definitely wear thin for some, but there’s certainly a charm at play. There isn’t any standout voice performances, but the animation itself is the star. Co-writer/co-director Kris Pearn, along with co-directors Cory Evans, as well as Rob Lodermeier, plus co-writers Mark Stanleigh and Priscilla Parizeau, have a vision at play. Some may shrug it off quickly as not being for them, but most folks will […]