Tuesday, July 7, 2020

Abominable Movie Review : Predictably enjoyable

Abominable Review: A yeti escapes from a highly guarded lab, only to be discovered by Yi (voiced by Chloe Bennet) on the roof of her apartment building. The young girl ends up befriending the mysterious being, long believed to mere folklore, naming him Everest. But a billionaire mountaineer, Burnish (voiced by Eddie Izzard), has spent a lifetime trying to prove the yeti's existence to the world. With the assistance of Dr Zara (voiced by Sarah Paulson), the old explorer chases down Everest after his escape. Yi is compelled to protect Everest, and with her friends, Peng (voiced by Albert Tsai) and Jin (voiced by Tenzing Norgay Trainor), embarks on a journey to reunite Everest with his family in the Himalayas.

The premise is a mish-mash of various films, with writer and director Jill Culton putting together winning elements to make 'Abominable' mostly enjoyable. Three precocious but affable kids, an endearing clumsy beast, colourfully vivid animation, and a sentimental soundtrack (especially for Coldplay fans)– all these ingredients are tried and tested. It’s no surprise that the computer animation by Dreamworks is top-notch. Although, the film tends to come across as a Chinese tourism advert, with the country’s natural beauty vividly captured in exquisite detail. Still, its heart is in the right place. This is a story about connecting with your loved ones, which has no geographical boundaries.

Eddie Izzard is particularly distinguishable as Burnish, the billionaire who can afford anything he pleases. Instead, he seeks the acceptance of those who shunned his claims of the yeti’s existence. On the other hand, Sarah Paulson masterfully disappears behind Dr Zara, who cares about saving the fabled creature instead. The lead trio Yi, Peng and Jin make a convincing case as childhood friends, thanks to spirited performances by Chloe Bennet, Albert Tsai and Tenzing Norgay Trainor respectively, who work well with each other. Everest – the magical, mythical yeti – is likely to become a merchandising front-runner with his inherent furry cuddliness. All the character beats are predictable each step of the way. Despite that, the film’s focus on its visual dazzle and its sensitivity towards nature and family values are bound to win hearts all around.

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