I Enjoyed ‘The Mitchells vs. The Machines,’ But Here’s What Could Have Made It Flawless

Every time I watch a post-apocalyptic film or series, I can’t help but think about what would happen to my family if disaster struck. Honestly, I know the outcome: we’d all be goners. None of us possess survival skills — we’re not particularly handy in any way — and our home is almost entirely windows. Talk about the least suitable house for a zombie apocalypse.

I frequently have this nightmare where we’re fleeing from a horde of zombies, deliberating on which parent should make the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our four kids’ safety. I’m definitely not as fast or strong as my husband, so if I were to hold off the zombies, he could carry our little ones and escape more quickly. But my husband often lacks common sense, so while they might survive that encounter, they could easily meet their end due to a reckless mistake.

It’s a dilemma.

This is what I loved about Netflix’s “The Mitchells vs. The Machines.” While it’s not exactly a zombie apocalypse — more like a robot uprising — the Mitchell family resonates with me. They genuinely care for one another and navigate challenges much like I imagine most families do — including my own.

At last, a relatable family without any superpowers or connections to the elite, stumbling through a high-stakes situation while unintentionally saving the world. They’re all a bit quirky, a touch offbeat, and certainly not your typical heroes.

Let’s start from the beginning.

“The Mitchells vs. The Machines” is a clever and whimsical delight.

This animated action-comedy centers on an average family grappling with a robot takeover reminiscent of Skynet — but thankfully, less lethal (or at least, the fatalities occur offscreen). Created by the same team behind the Academy Award-winning “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” and “The LEGO Movie,” if you appreciated the humor in those films, you’re bound to love “The Mitchells vs. The Machines.” I found myself laughing uncontrollably at some of the absurd moments.

The plot follows Katie Mitchell, a creative outsider thrilled to be accepted into film school and finally surrounded by “her people.” However, her nature-loving father keeps nagging about a backup plan, ruining their last family night before her flight to California — until he surprises her by canceling the flight and suggesting a cross-country road trip instead.

Then, the robot apocalypse kicks off as a tech company’s smartphones upgrade to personal robots that take control of the world during a press conference. The robots proceed to capture and confine all humans in massive hexagonal cells for their malicious schemes. Chaos ensues.

What makes “The Mitchells vs. The Machines” shine are its hilarious moments. The film is full of good-hearted absurdity as it playfully critiques pop culture and society. From the Mitchells’ adorable pug Monchi to the clumsy robots, the vibrant animation styles, the clever nods to influencers (I felt both seen and slightly called out), and the unbelievably funny mall scene featuring Furbys — the laughs keep coming.

Overall, the film cleverly tackles themes about how technology can overshadow genuine relationships, how family love can uplift and burden self-worth, and how embracing one’s eccentricities can be a strength. The last point reminded me of 2019’s “Spies in Disguise.”

However, there were a few elements of “The Mitchells vs. The Machines” that didn’t quite hit the mark for me. I understand that kids’ movies often convey a significant message about love or togetherness. Still, the film came across as overly preachy at times, leaving me feeling like I was being lectured — albeit by a very clever speaker — but it still felt a bit patronizing.

There were moments when the pacing slowed down, or the plot became too outrageous to follow, making it hard for me to suspend my disbelief. Come on, creators, you can do better!

Moreover, while I appreciated some of the diverse characters, it’s frustrating that in 2021, the representation of an “ordinary” family remains predominantly white. Is it really such a stretch to envision a family of color as the stand-in for the audience? This is particularly disheartening, given the talented individuals of color listed in the credits. It would have been wonderful to see that diversity reflected more accurately in the film.

Lastly, I appreciate how Katie’s queerness is treated as a casual detail — it would have been great for her LGBTQIA+ identity to be integrated more naturally throughout the story rather than as an afterthought. Being queer is not a plot twist, and the filmmakers could have seamlessly incorporated it into the narrative, similar to her younger brother’s character, without being heavy-handed.

In summary

“The Mitchells vs. The Machines” is designed for all audiences, with humor that parents and older children can enjoy, while the younger kids might not catch all the nuances until they’re older. It’s a fantastic family film that will likely remain a favorite for years to come.

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Summary: “The Mitchells vs. The Machines” is a fun and relatable animated film about a quirky family navigating a robot apocalypse. While it excels in humor and representation of family dynamics, it struggles with pacing and predictability in its messaging. Overall, it’s a delightful movie for audiences of all ages that will likely remain popular for years.