‘Unhappy to see you again’
The Addams Family 2 is a 2021 American animated comedy horror film and – obviously – a sequel to the 2019 box office hit. Despite mainly negative reviews, the first animated Addams Family movie went on to take $203,044,905 worldwide even before residual sales, so a sequel was inevitable.
Addams Family voice cast stars Charlize Theron (Morticia), Oscar Isaac (Gomez), Chloë Grace Moretz (Wednesday), Nick Kroll (Fester), Bette Midler (Grandma) and Snoop Dogg (It) are all returning and will be rounded out with the additions of Bill Hader as a new character “Cyrus,” and Javon “Wanna” Walton taking on the role of the youngest Addams sibling, “Pugsley.”
Director Greg Tiernan has also returned for the sequel, enthusing: “The success of last year’s animated film was proof of the enduring legacy of The Addams Family and its ability to transcend popular culture. This second film will be every bit as fun as the original. We are thrilled to welcome Bill Hader and Javon Walton, and to welcome back our incredible original cast for this exciting next chapter in the Addams’s journey.”
Reviews:
“It combines outrageous mayhem with a sappy, obvious message about the bonds that connect people. The message feels hollow because the film has undermined the “family” element by spending an abundance of time on lame hijinks rather than familial dynamics. The all-star voice cast is fine, as is the animation. Otherwise, The Addams Family 2 is an enormous disappointment…” The Aisle Seat
“Grown-ups may disown this take on The Addams Family, but it was never meant for adults anyway. This focuses solely on tickling the funny bone of the youngest of audiences. In other words, it’s not a great movie, but it likely succeeds in its goal as a manic comedy bit for children. That it steps further away from a grim aesthetic means it’s a far more anaemic gateway into the genre than before.” Bloody Disgusting
“For a film about American Gothic oddballs, one hopes for something wackier, weirder, ballsier. But The Addams Family 2 is so commercial–literally, you can buy the toys at Target–and average that it feels like watching reruns of other animated movies. It sets out to be exactly what the source material set out not to be: normal.” Daily Dead
“We get a few delightful vistas with an Addams twist and more Cousin It (voiced by Snoop Dogg), but there’s very little that feels fresh. It’s just more. Thankfully the narrative does at least seed the conflict well so that there’s nothing in the way of a plot hole or truly empty moment, but the resolution is not exactly profound or original either.” Elements of Madness
“So much of The Addams Family 2 is immediately forgettable, even if it’s nowhere near as lazily constructed as some of the worst animated offenders out there (it’s also impressively rich in CGI detail and pleasant to look at). One would assume a freewheeling approach rather than conventional storytelling would function as a breath of fresh air, but none of it is in service to the characters…” Flickering Myth
“I had so much fun with this silly sequel. It never takes itself too seriously, makes sure the audience is in on the joke and remains faithful to the Addams Family of yesteryear. I’m not sure beyond that what could appease die-hard fans.” Josh at the Movies
“The script from Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit veers off into wild Doctor Moreau territory, adding even more baggage to a film that would have been wise to pack lighter. Inspired soundtrack choices (from Gordon Lightfoot to Motorhead) give way to forced pop and hip-hop, and the film’s attempt at an “own who you are” message seems half-hearted at best.” MaddWolf
“Scares aside, this film doesn’t have much going for it. It’s not terribly funny or interesting, nor does it have all that much of a message to it aside from the importance of family, which is a pretty vague concept. Nick Kroll as Uncle Fester is having a lot of fun, and he is a standout amongst the cast. Other than that, the film mostly just feels like a generic cash grab trying to take advantage of the Halloween season.” Parent Previews
” …the filmmakers would be wise to remember that any growing pains their characters are experiencing are matched by the kids that will be watching the movie. It’s clear within minutes that Wednesday’s journey is the emotional glue for The Addams Family 2 but no glue can stick when there’s too much lint (or in this case, distracting puns and juvenile slapstick) on the surface.” The Wrap
Release date:
The Addams Family 2 was released theatrically and at home on October 1, 2021, via MGM’s United Artists Releasing banner.
Technical details:
93 minutes
Related:
The Addams Family: The cartoons, TV series, animated series, movies, musicals and merchandise – article
Teaser trailer:
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