Abominable
3/4
Starring (voices): Chloe Bennet, Tenzing Norgay Trainor, Albert Tsai, Joseph Izzo, Eddie Izzard, Sarah Paulson, Tsai Chin, Michelle Wong
Rated PG for Some Action and Mild Rude Humor
I've long felt that labeling a movie as "formulaic" is unfair. As long as the intangibles are in place (strong characters, good storytelling, etc.), the fact that the audience knows the the broad strokes of the storyline is of relatively little importance. In fact, in certain circumstances, knowing what has to come next can enhance the film's effect (see "The Last Samurai" if you don't believe me). "Abominable" is a case in point. The story is pure formula, but we like the characters and writer/director Jill Culton is a good enough storyteller that I really didn't mind.
A monster is on the loose. He has broken out of his pen at a high tech security facility and is out on the streets of a big city. After being hit by a car, he takes refuge in a shed on the roof of an apartment building. Busy teen Yi (Bennet) often takes refuge up there, and is shocked to find that she's not alone. Of course, the creature is actually a yeti, and is more frightened of her than she is of him. The yeti, whom she dubs Everest (Izzo) after his home, is totally harmless, but he's in danger of being caught by a rich collector named Burnish (Izzard). In no short order Yi, her cousin Peng (Tsai) and the self-absorbed Jin (Trainor), are off on an adventure to return Everest to his home.
The key to this movie is that we identify with Yi, Peng and Jin. And we like them. These three are charming characters (yes, even Jin) and it's a pleasure to spend time with them. The scene stealer is, of course, Everest, who is all kinds of adorable. He's a teddy bear with the innocence of a child (Everest is a baby yeti) who can manipulate the weather when he hums. He takes a child-like glee in the world around him, and his naivete is totally endearing (and occasionally very funny). He inadvertently engenders the bond that grows between his three human companions. Watching their friendship grow makes you feel warm inside, and movie monsters don't get more cuddly than Everest.
The voice acting is solid, and even established stars like Eddie Izzard and Sarah Paulson submerge themselves into the characters to the point where we don't see the actor (I was shocked to learn that Paulson played the zoologist, Dr. Zara). Chloe Bennet gives just the right amount of spunk and vulnerability to Yi. Yi's strong independent streak and resistance to personal attachment is a result of her missing her recently deceased father. Tenzing Norgay Trainor may be the descendant of the famed sherpa, but the boy is a fine actor, able to carry us through Jin's character arc. And Peng is on hand for comic relief as the boy who thinks that a yeti is just the coolest thing ever.
"Abominable" isn't any kind of a masterpiece, nor will it end up on my Top 10 list at the end of the year. For one thing, the opening act is a bit sluggish, and it takes more time to identify with the characters than it probably should. Once the characters start their journey, the film takes off. There's also an unexplained deus ex machina in the third act that is pretty obvious. That said, what it does, it does well. I had a good time watching this movie, and I wouldn't mind seeing more adventures with these characters. Especially if Everest tags along.
Starring (voices): Chloe Bennet, Tenzing Norgay Trainor, Albert Tsai, Joseph Izzo, Eddie Izzard, Sarah Paulson, Tsai Chin, Michelle Wong
Rated PG for Some Action and Mild Rude Humor
I've long felt that labeling a movie as "formulaic" is unfair. As long as the intangibles are in place (strong characters, good storytelling, etc.), the fact that the audience knows the the broad strokes of the storyline is of relatively little importance. In fact, in certain circumstances, knowing what has to come next can enhance the film's effect (see "The Last Samurai" if you don't believe me). "Abominable" is a case in point. The story is pure formula, but we like the characters and writer/director Jill Culton is a good enough storyteller that I really didn't mind.
A monster is on the loose. He has broken out of his pen at a high tech security facility and is out on the streets of a big city. After being hit by a car, he takes refuge in a shed on the roof of an apartment building. Busy teen Yi (Bennet) often takes refuge up there, and is shocked to find that she's not alone. Of course, the creature is actually a yeti, and is more frightened of her than she is of him. The yeti, whom she dubs Everest (Izzo) after his home, is totally harmless, but he's in danger of being caught by a rich collector named Burnish (Izzard). In no short order Yi, her cousin Peng (Tsai) and the self-absorbed Jin (Trainor), are off on an adventure to return Everest to his home.
The key to this movie is that we identify with Yi, Peng and Jin. And we like them. These three are charming characters (yes, even Jin) and it's a pleasure to spend time with them. The scene stealer is, of course, Everest, who is all kinds of adorable. He's a teddy bear with the innocence of a child (Everest is a baby yeti) who can manipulate the weather when he hums. He takes a child-like glee in the world around him, and his naivete is totally endearing (and occasionally very funny). He inadvertently engenders the bond that grows between his three human companions. Watching their friendship grow makes you feel warm inside, and movie monsters don't get more cuddly than Everest.
The voice acting is solid, and even established stars like Eddie Izzard and Sarah Paulson submerge themselves into the characters to the point where we don't see the actor (I was shocked to learn that Paulson played the zoologist, Dr. Zara). Chloe Bennet gives just the right amount of spunk and vulnerability to Yi. Yi's strong independent streak and resistance to personal attachment is a result of her missing her recently deceased father. Tenzing Norgay Trainor may be the descendant of the famed sherpa, but the boy is a fine actor, able to carry us through Jin's character arc. And Peng is on hand for comic relief as the boy who thinks that a yeti is just the coolest thing ever.
"Abominable" isn't any kind of a masterpiece, nor will it end up on my Top 10 list at the end of the year. For one thing, the opening act is a bit sluggish, and it takes more time to identify with the characters than it probably should. Once the characters start their journey, the film takes off. There's also an unexplained deus ex machina in the third act that is pretty obvious. That said, what it does, it does well. I had a good time watching this movie, and I wouldn't mind seeing more adventures with these characters. Especially if Everest tags along.
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