Voices of Adam Sandler, Bill Burr, Cecily Strong, and Rob Schneider
Directed by Robert Marianetti and Robert Smigel
Music and Lyrics by various
Let's celebrate the end of the school year with the second animated movie from comedian Adam Sandler. His first one, Eight Crazy Nights, was so badly received, it took him over 20 years to try another. This time, he went with an original story about a school pet who learns a lesson in aging when he ends up giving advice to an entire fifth-grade class. Does this movie deserve your respect, or should it be dumped in the Everglades? Let's begin with that fifth grade class, as the kids anticipate the school year, and find out...
The Story: Leo the tuatara (Sandler) and Squirtle the Florida box turtle (Burr) have been the pets in a fifth grade classroom at Fort Myers, Florida for years. After he overhears one of the dads mention tutaras only live 75 years, he becomes determined to escape to the Everglades and live out what little he has left of his life. He seizes his chance when the original teacher goes on maternity leave and is replaced by the far stricter Ms. Malkin (Strong). She insists that the kids each take home a class pet for the weekend to teach them responsibility. The kids resist at first, until Leo reveals he can talk and gives them advice on how to deal with their problems.
Soon, all of the kids are clamoring to take Leo home and have him help them...until a jealous Squirtle spills the beans about Leo's ability to talk. Ms. Malkin takes him home when they refuse to, and reveals to Leo why she's so mean to them. She does manage to encourage them to win a big trip at the history fair, but she dumps Leo in the Everglades instead of admitting it was his idea. It's Squirtle who uses the overprotective drone owned by one of the kids to tell them what's really going on, and remind them that sometimes, all you need is a supportive ear and a little advice from an elder.
The Animation: Pretty good CGI. Thankfully, it's not as grotesque as Thelma the Unicorn last month. The characters are generally more cute than they are scary, even the alligators and animals in the Everglades. Even Ms. Malkin has a soft, squishy body that slides and glides around. Leo and Squirtle move like their actual species, even with the slightly gross jokes about Leo's regrowing tail and the Squirtle's tattoo getting slung around.
The Song and Dance: The last thing I expected from Adam Sandler was a touching rumination on growing older, listening, and how elders can mentor the next generation. He was hilarious as Leo, especially when encouraging the kids and telling them how special they are. The kids were adorable, Strong was terrific as the grouchy older substitute teacher who has never been able to connect with her students well enough for full teaching, and Burr comes off even better as the turtle who wonders why the kids don't pay attention to him like they do his best friend. Even the songs are catchy and fun. And really, there should be more animated movies for kids that revolve around how they deal with their elders and what it feels like to grow up and get older.
Favorite Number: We open with the kids singing about how "Last Year" went, and what they hope for this school year. "Feeling Free" and "Here's to Us" are background numbers as we learn about Leo's desire to see the Everglades and his friendship with Squirtle. Leo gives us the "Lizard's Lament" as he complains about how he'll never get to live his dream. The two teachers insist that "There's a Time" to work and a time to be at home when pregnant.
"The Talking Song" has Leo encouraging chatty Summer (Sunny Sandler) to ask questions instead of rambling on. He tells Eli (Rory Smigel) to write a "Dear Drone" letter and break up with his flying babysitter. Spoiled Jayda (Sadie Sandler) is reminded that she's "Not That Great" as her obnoxious rich father (Jason Alexander) does a Busby Berkeley take off with dancing clocks to "Extra Time." "Instruction" is a montage of the kids learning life lessons from Leo. "Can't Feel My Face" has Cole (Bryant Tardy and Corey J) revealing his childishly high voice...which turns out to be great for a rendition of "Last Christmas" at the school's holiday recital. Leo gently admonishes brainy Mia (Reese Lores) "Don't Cry" as he helps her get to sleep.
The kids and Ms. Malkin sadly recall how happy they were "When I Was 10" after they believe Leo has betrayed them. Leo reminds Ms. Malkin how "Happy" she was when a favorite teacher encouraged her to learn. We hear "Last Year" again as the kids graduate and Ms. Malkin and the two pets get new assignments. "When It's Us" is heard over the credits as Leo, Ms. Malkin, and Squirtle avoid the feral kindergartners who are now their charges.
What I Don't Like: At times, the movie feels like a cross between the Disney show Recess from the early 2000's and The Magic School Bus. The kids and their problems are nothing new, though them getting advice from an aging pet is certainly an interesting new wrinkle. As per most of Adam Sandler's comedies and the film's audience, the jokes can occasionally be gross bordering on annoying, like where Squirtle's tattoo ended up and what the one class fish is constantly doing.
The Big Finale: Highly recommended for fans of Sandler who don't think he can do gentle and charming and families looking for a great animated movie appropriate for 8 to 12 year olds.
Home Media: It's a Netflix exclusive at the moment.
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