Adam Sandler’s unmistakable voice, the one that brought us memorable moments like “Shibbbittty bobbity dooo!” on “Saturday Night Live,” takes center stage once again in the animated film “Leo.” Unfortunately, the film falls short of expectations, succumbing to lazy artistic choices and an overall lackluster execution.
In “Leo,” Sandler lends his voice to a 74-year-old lizard who imparts life advice to a group of quirky fifth-graders. The concept seems promising, with a hint of self-awareness and an adult edge. However, the film’s potential is undermined by stiff animation, awkward gags, and underwhelming musical numbers featuring Sandler’s iconic voice.
The narrative draws early inspiration from E.B. White’s “Charlotte’s Web,” as the students groan about having to read the book while dealing with their curmudgeonly substitute teacher, Ms. Malkin (voiced by Cecily Strong). However, the central focus shifts to therapy, as the lizard, Leo, reveals his ability to talk and imparts valuable life lessons to each child he visits over the weekends.
One of the script’s major pitfalls is its treatment of Leo’s talking ability as a poorly kept secret, emphasizing the need for secrecy without delivering a truly magical or significant reveal. The inclusion of a turtle character named Squirtle, voiced by Bill Burr, adds to the narrative but leans on offhand urination jokes, contributing to the film’s uneven humor.
Surprisingly, “Leo” attempts to incorporate musical elements into the storyline, but the execution falls short. The musical numbers feel cheap, lacking in length, arrangement, and choreography, making them pale in comparison to other animated films that prioritize their soundtracks.
The animation itself is characterized by an assembly line quality, with characters and settings lacking the lifelike appeal that successful animated movies achieve. Background details are often overlooked, and characters, both human and animal, share eerily similar eyes that rarely blink. The film’s attempt at slapstick sequences and a vibrant color palette inject moments of energy but are ultimately overshadowed by the overall lack of ambition and standards in the project.
“Leo” further falters with awkward product placements, including Cheetos and a family portrait featuring the Progressive mascot Flo. The movie also incorporates visual gags reminiscent of Minions, with kindergarten heads depicted as giant balloons, attempting to capture chaotic energy but falling short.
While there are occasional moments of humor, particularly from Bill Burr’s character, “Leo” struggles to sustain a consistently funny tone. The film’s attempt at adult humor, including an offhand “Mr. Skin” reference, feels forced and out of place.
In conclusion, “Leo” may hold some value for its target audience of fifth-graders, offering advice in a familiar voice, albeit one that feels lazily repurposed. However, for older audiences, the film falls flat, lacking the charismatic sentimentality it aims to achieve. “Leo” is available on Netflix, but it’s a questionable choice for those seeking a truly entertaining animated experience.