The Mitchells vs. The Machines [Blu-ray]

Overview

After Katie Mitchell (voiced by Abbi Jacobson) is accepted to the university of her dreams, her father Mitchell (Danny McBride) decides that it will only be fitting for the whole family to drive her to school and have an adventure. Their plans, however, are ruined when technology?phones, appliances, and personal robots, among others?stages a revolution against humanity. They now find themselves with two malfunctioning robs working to save the world from destruction. Written and directed by Michael Rianda and Jeff Rowe.

Product Details

Release Date:	12/14/2021
UPC:	0043396566514
Original Release:	2020
Rating:	PG
Source:	Sony Pictures
Language:	English
Sales rank:	20,438

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Abbi Jacobson	(voice)/Katie Mitchell
Danny McBride	Rick Mitchell(voice)
Maya Rudolph	Linda Mitchell(voice)
Michael Rianda	Aaron Mitchell(voice)
Eric Andre	Mark Bowman(voice)
Olivia Colman	PAL(voice)
Fred Armisen	Deborahbot 5000(voice)
Beck Bennett	(voice)/Eric
Chrissy Teigen	Hailey Posey(voice)
John Legend	Jim Posey(voice)
Charlyne Yi	Abby Posey(voice)
Blake Griffin	PAL MAX Prime(voice),Stagehand(voice)
Conan O'Brien	Glaxxon 5000(voice)
Doug the Pug	Monchi(voice)
Melissa Sturm	(voice)/Sarge
Doug Nicholas	(voice)/Hamburger Boy
Madeleine McGraw	Young Katie(voice) (as Maddy McGraw)
Ellen Wightman	Baby Katie(voice)
Sasheer Zamata	Jade(voice)
Elle Mills	Hanna(voice)
Alex Hirsch	Dirk(voice)
Jay Pharoah	Noah(voice)
Natalie Canizares	Catherine (Food Blogger)(voice)
Jeff Rowe	Man Who Loves Fun(voice)
Zeno Robinson	Sean (Unboxer)(voice)
Will Allegra	Water Fountain Man(voice)
Alison Rich	Jill (Woman in Pod)(voice),Jill (Woman in Pod)
Natalia del Riego	Additional Voices(voice)
Libby Thomas Dickey	Additional Voices(voice)
Kerry Gutierrez	Additional Voices(voice)
Lex Lang	Additional Voices(voice)
Greg Levitan	Additional Voices(voice)
Jason Linere-White	Additional Voices(voice)
Griffin McElroy	Voices
Illya Owens	Additional Voices(voice)
Juan Pacheco	Additional Voices(voice)
Ashley Peldon	Additional Voices(voice)
Jim Pirri	Additional Voices(voice)
Michelle Ruff	Additional Voices(voice)
Justin Shenkarow	Additional Voices(voice)
Shane Sweet	Additional Voices(voice)
Brittanny Tuerpe	Additional Voices(voice)
Alana J. Webster	Additional Voices(voice)
Lisa Wilhoit	Additional Voices(voice)
Adam Wylie	Additional Voices(voice)
Ellen Mills	Hanna
Mark Mothersbaugh	Composer

Technical Credits

Michael Rianda

Jeff Rowe

Michael Rianda	Screenwriter,Director
Jeff Rowe	Screenwriter,Director
Will Allegra	Executive Producer
Louis Koo	Executive Producer
Kurt Albrecht	Producer
Phil Lord	Producer
Christopher Miller	Producer
Greg Ten Bosch	Sound Editor
Mary Hidalgo	Casting
Tamara Hunter	Casting

Editorial Reviews

Writer/Directors Michael Rianda and Jeff Rowe (Gravity Falls) have joined together again for their first feature-length film, The Mitchells vs. the Machines. Despite the frantic chaos that might turn viewers off in the beginning, by the end, the movie is entertaining with a good message about family. Katie Mitchell (Abbi Jacobson) has spent her life making home movies. But as she has grown older, she has also grown apart from her father, Rick (Danny McBride). As a result, Katie cannot wait to leave the house and go off to the film school where she was accepted. Before she goes, Rick realizes what he is losing and plans a cross-country trip to reconnect with his daughter. Unfortunately, this coincides with a robot uprising, resulting in the Mitchells' need to pull together again because only they are left to stop humanity's demise. The story is typical - dad and daughter have grown apart; mom feels helpless and caught between them. This makes the first 20 minutes or so of the film unremarkable. The initial dog whistles to internet usage and how trite apps and filters can be make the first act cringe-worthy instead of enjoyable. But when the robot uprising adds a new twist to the trope, especially with how it ties in with the theme, the film is saved. The end resolution is clever, and unlike most films of this nature, it makes every member of the family relevant. Through their direction, Rianda and Rowe seem more intent on telling the story than drawing any extra emotion from the actors, even when the former is voicing the kid brother, Aaron. The performances from almost everyone are standard fare. The exceptions are Fred Armisen and Beck Bennett as two defective robots that fulfill a pseudo-wise fool role and command every scene in which they appear. The animation is reminiscent of numerous children's television shows - exaggerated and loud in color and presence. This could be overwhelming for anyone that isn't familiar with the style. However, while the frequent web-style interruptions fit the story, they will not be to everyone's taste. The film might have been better off with a seizure warning because of all the flashing. Overall, The Mitchells vs. the Machines is entertaining. There is also a valuable lesson about being too involved in our devices to see the world around us. Due to the animation style, familiar characters, and obscure interruptions, this will not be a movie for everyone. But for anyone whose family life seems robotic, the message it delivers will hit home.