By: Cynthia A.

Directed by: Rob Minkoff

Screenplay by: Craig Wright

Based on Peabody’s Improbable History by Ted Key

Starring: Ty Burrell, Max Charles, Ariel Winter, Leslie Mann, Stephen Colbert & Allison Janney

Genre: Animation, Family

Rocky and Bullwinkle Show time-travelers Mr. Peabody and his adopted human sidekick, Sherman (voiced by Ty Burrell and Max Charles, respectively), strike out on their own for a big-screen CGI adventure in this feature directed by Rob Minkoff (The Haunted Mansion).

A very fun and family filled adventure that was surprisingly good.  The obvious choice to seeing this movie is the option that it’s one of the few animated features out there for the family.  However, for many this is the chance to relieve part of their childhood and share it with their own children.  Animated movies don’t strike out to many people due to the simple fact that when animated enters a mindset the automatic response is “it’s for children, no thank you”, but that doesn’t have to be the case here.  In fact, of the driving selling points of this movie is the history is holds for many people coupled with this simple fact: it’s short and fun.

Mr. Peabody and Sherman explore science and history as they go through time, but it also explores the family dynamic brought on by adoption.  Mr. Peabody loves Sherman and adopted the little boy, finding him in a box abandoned.  However, of course, as with today’s society in the case of gay marriage and adoption, his adoption of the little boy is threatened by the simple fact that although he is a good parent, he cannot protect his son from the dangers of being bullied.  This sets the course of events of the film and creates a heartwarming setting between the characters and the audience.

This movie includes a lot within the film that really connects to society as a whole, which is why it’s a fun family film.  The dialogue was witty, cleverly put together in ways that make for very humorous interactions between the characters.  However, it’s a lot to take in within the film, leaving the audience overwhelmed. That is because before the audience has time to take in one heartfelt moment another one is thrown at the audience.

Nevertheless, this was, over all a fun film that explored the adoption-family dynamic between the child, parent and society.  At times Sherman didn’t feel like he belonged, but by the end, after he was faced with those challenges, he was able to overcome what society said and was able to dictate his own place in society versus letting others dictate it for him.  That is a very powerful message for all children who watch this movie: that no one can decide who you are but yourself.

All in all, a very good movie for the family audience.  ★★☆☆ (C)