New to Netflix today is the animated musical family film, Leo. The movie – directed by Robert Marianetti, Robert Smigel, and David Wachtenheim – features the voices of Adam Sandler, Bill Burr, Jason Alexander, and Cecily Strong, and tells the story of a 74-year-old classroom lizard who develops a friendship with the kids in his class.
In the movie, Leo is a pet lizard who lives with his best friend Squirtle the turtle. Both share space in a glass tank in a school classroom, where everyday they watch the comings and goings of students in the fifth grade.
As the new school term gets underway, things seem to be going as normal until regular teacher, Mrs. Salinas goes on maternity leave and is replaced by stern substitute teacher, Ms. Malkin. As part of Ms. Malkin’s new approach to teaching, she insists the kids take it in turns to take one of the pets home for the weekend.
Over the next few weeks, Leo spends time with different children and gets a taste of life outside of the tank. He also reveals that he can talk, allowing him to communicate with the kids and help them with their problems and insecurities.
Although Leo is an animated film, it’s important to note it is an Adam Sandler film. The picture is produced by Sandler’s production company, Happy Madison Productions, and the actor voices the lead role of Leo the lizard.
I’m pointing this out because Adam Sandler movies can be very hit and miss, and his brand of comedy either appeals or it doesn’t. Leo is no different, and while the film isn’t particularly bad it’s not great either, and your interest in Sandler could prove to be a sticking point.
The comedic aspects aren’t very funny, the musical numbers are performed by actors who can’t sing, and Sandler’s turn as Leo is kind of grating. Once you start picturing Sandler in your mind, putting on the voice and doing his usual schtick, it’s difficult to shake the image.
On the flip-side, young audiences should find Leo far more appealing and probably won’t be bothered about Sandler’s performance. The animation is pretty decent, the classroom setting is familiar, and the central premise of kids having various problems will feel relatable.
The movie is a touch too long, and some of its pop culture mentions (E.T., Splash, etc) will go over a few heads, but the colourful characters bring some fun. Ms. Malkin also proves to be a suitable antagonist, and once again younger audiences will get enjoyment out of a strict teacher being the film’s sort-of villain.
Ultimately, Leo will work for some, while others will be less interested. It’s certainly not up there with Pixar movies, and it falls very short when compared to recent animated offerings such as Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, but it may prove perfectly acceptable for those wanting a distraction for two hours.
If you’re not a Sandler fan, Leo is unlikely to win you over, but it you don’t care either way, it should find you well enough. It’s middle of the road stuff, but its target audience will no doubt be entertained.
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Thank you for taking the time to read this review on It’s A Stampede!. For more reviews, check out the recommended reads below.
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