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The Mitchells Vs. The Machines Blu-ray Review

“The Mitchells Vs. The Machines” is one of the best films of 2021.

Directed by Mike Rianda and written by Rianda and Jeff Rowe, “The Mitchells Vs. The Machines” revolves around the titular Mitchells family comprised of father/husband Rick and mother/wife Linda, their two children Aaron and Katie (who is essentially the star of the movie) and the family dog Monchi. Katie is a film lover who strives to be a filmmaker and is even going to a film school in California. Wanting to spend time with her before she embarks on this new journey, the Mitchells decide to road trip to the college. Rick and Katie haven’t been getting along all that well, but the family squabbles soon become the least of their problems as an AI (PAL) goes rogue and commands all robots to capture every human. Amid the robot apocalypse, the Mitchells have to overcome their differences and somehow save the day by trying to stop PAL.

Let’s be real, the world of animated films is largely ruled by Disney, Pixar and Studio Ghibli. The script flipped this year and the best animated film by far was the Netflix/Sony title “The Mitchells Vs. The Machines.”

Produced by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, “The Mitchells Vs. The Machines” is a wild, fast paced, and colorful movie that is about many things. It’s a story about family, the dangers of technology, dreams, and imagination. It’s also a love letter to filmmaking that pays homage to films such as “Tron” and “National Lampoon’s Vacation.” 

Perhaps the most unique angle here is how the story is told through the POV of a teenager (Katie) who is an outsider that has grown up on YouTube and meme cultures. The film is scattered with all sorts of imagery from her perspective that gives it a fresh and often comical feel. There’s not another animated film like this.

Speaking of the animation, the Sony Pictures Animation team has done astonishing work here. Every frame of the CGI animated film is brimming with detail and the grand set pieces are intense and thrilling.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.85:1 1080p. How does it look? The animation and colors are dazzling in hi-def. It’s a shame there’s no 4K release.

Audio Track: 5.1 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? A suitably lively 5.1 track.

Extras:
* DVD copy
* Digital copy
* A “Director Notes: Inside The Mind Of Katie Mitchell” booklet
* Sony railers
* 8 bonus scenes
* A new mini-movie titled “Dog Cop 7: The Final Chapter”
* “Katie’s Cabinet Of Forgotten Wonders”- A part extra that provides behind-the-scenes information about the following topics- Katie-Vision, Dumb Robots Trailer, The Original Mitchells Story Pitch, The Furby Scene and Pal’s World.
* The aptly named “The Mitchells Vs. The Machines Or How A Group Of Passionate Weirdos Made A Big Animated Movie.”
* A busy and informative commentary by Mike Rianda, Mike Lasker, Lindsey Olivares, Jeff Rowe, Kurt Albrecht, Alan Hawkins, Guillermo Martinez.
* How To Make Sock Puppets and Katie Face Cupcakes.
* An extended cinematic bonanza cut of the movie

December 19, 2021 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | The Mitchells Vs. The Machines, The Mitchells Vs. The Machines Blu-ray Review