The Addams family 2

Halloween is coming up in a few days and it is always nice to dive back into a gothic and horrific universe to get back in the mood of our favorite day of the year. Undeniably next to the most appreciated serial killers of the cinema, we will think of Michael Myers (back on October 15th in the United States in a new and very expected movie) but especially of the Addams Family in a more general public way. Created in 1938 by the cartoonist Charles Addams, this family is a modern caricature of the traditional American family with Gomez and Morticia Addams, their children Wednesday and Pugsley, but also Uncle Fester, an atypical Grandmother, a butler resembling Frankenstein Lurch, the cousin The Thing and a pet lion. All of these characters will be found here in a new adventure that is not without charm and many excellent ideas. 

The Addams Family has not only made the beautiful days of television through several series in live or animated but also two films that have become cult The Addams Family (1991) and The Addams Family Values (1993). We had to wait many years before finding the Addams Family on the big screen and in the form of animation. Directed by Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiernan and with in the original version the voices of Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloë Grace Moretz, Nick Kroll, Snoop Dogg and Bette Midler. Despite mixed reviews, the film was a worldwide success and earned over 203 million dollars. It is therefore easy to understand the producers' desire to offer a sequel with the same two directors and the presence of the same voice cast in the original version. While keeping the same tone and the graphic universe of the first part, this sequel had to avoid all unnecessary repetitions and to go in another direction that could allow a development of the characters but also to bring the satire to an equally interesting dimension. In this case, the orientation towards the road movie proves to be an undeniable added value. 

While the worldwide pandemic linked to Covid19 will have prevented the whole world from traveling around the world and discovering all its beauty, the writers Dan Hernandez, Benji Samit, Ben Queen and Susanna Fogel had the good idea to propose an adventure based on the fact that the Addams Family leaves in a camper van across the United States.  We find the parents Morticia and Gomez confronted with the fact that their two children have entered a phase of teenage protest between Wednesday, who is engaged in scientific research, and young Pugsley, who seems to take a real pleasure in blowing up everything (including the Grand Canyon during a hilarious scene). Here is the family on the road in the United States with a campsite as haunted as their house. The Addams family 2 doesn't have the same originality and visual strength of the first part but it easily holds the road and allows us to have a good time thanks to the very inspired voice cast and the omnipresence of a very present black humor.

The numerous characters in this film bring to it a refreshing tone and show us that the universe created by Charles Addams is still relevant today, as he aimed at showing the typical dysfunctions of an American family. In the same way, by putting the character of Wednesday at the center of the story, the film questions the notion of family and the important question of the family bond. Chased on the roads of the United States by a lawyer and his henchman (a caid also resembling Frankenstein), they claim that Wednesday was switched at birth and that she is the daughter of their client. Gomez and Morticia will only have to protect her and above all rebuild the strong bonds of their family.

Far from being only a succession of scenes, directors Greg Tiernan and Conrad Vernon have succeeded in giving life to a playful animated film in which we also find many songs and musical numbers. The Addams Family 2 will appeal not only to a young audience but also to adults who will appreciate the rhythm of the film and some rather well brought winks to Carrie. While the film is available since today on VOD and is also in theaters, we will have to wait until October 13 to discover it in theaters in France. An advice, prefer the original version, even if the French version will allow to find the actors Kev Adams (wink to the name of this family with a d in less) and Mélanie Bernier.

The Addams Family 2
Directed by Greg Tiernan, Conrad Vernon
Screenplay by Dan Hernandez, Benji Samit, Ben Queen, Susanna Fogel
Story by Dan Hernandez, Benji Samit
Based on Characters by Charles Addams
Produced by Gail Berman, Conrad Vernon, Danielle Sterling, Alison O'Brien
Starring Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloë Grace Moretz, Nick Kroll, Javon Walton, Wallace Shawn, Snoop Dogg, Bette Midler, Bill Hader
Edited by Ryan Folsey
Music by Mychael Danna, Jeff Danna
Production companies : Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Bron Creative, Cinesite Studios, The Jackal Group, Glickmania
Distributed by United Artists Releasing (United States), Universal Pictures (International), Universal Pictures International France
Release date : October 1, 2021 (United States), October 13, 2021 (France)
Running time : 93 minutes

Seen on October 1, 2021 

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