Leo

Giving this an 8/10 rating

Saw preview in the cinema for this absurd and wonderful animation. It really must get a proper cinema release.

Adam Sandler is Leo, an aged reptile stuck in rut with his turtle friend - Squirtle, voiced by a very laid back Bill Burr. Both are stuck in glass tank at the school watching life go by in the classroom, when a big change happens that leads the both of them, on a complete turn events.

Each human kid and adult are profiled and transformed in quite hilarious ways, and the songs are not to be taken seriously as you will be laughing along with the visual gags that go with the flow.

It looks all brilliant and the character designs work and not look dopey, which seems to be a trend these days, bad character design. Great musical numbers that are well staged are used just right. Adam Sandler is noted down as writer and producer, it's his company, after all. More like this please, Adam.

There's not really anything bad I could say about this film. It's a new Sandler movie for Netflix and this time going into animated territory is a fresh idea that has paid off. Sandler voices Leo. A classroom pet lizard that's watced many kids come and go throughout the years and longs to get out of there. So when a substitute takes over and makes taking home the pet mandatory he makes it his mission to help the kids his watched. Also there is squirtal. A turtle voiced by Bill Barr that also adds some good comic relief. I thought the animation was great and designed well and the hillerious way the pre schoolers with the big eyed was done to. It was fun throughout and a great animated film, maybe even one of the netflixes best movies perhaps ever.

'Leo' is a film with a message. It cleverly introduces us to very different characters to convey powerful messages about different members of our society. Being an animated film and aimed at a young demographic, 'Leo' can almost serve as an educational video to youngsters - and they will be thoroughly entertained at the same time. In the process, they will learn about insecurity, vanity, and various misconceptions kids might have about life.

Leo is a lizard, who has been living in captivity for 74 years. Erm, correction, he's been the class pet since 1949 and lives in a glass cabinet in a classroom, with his best friend Squirtle the turtle. With their beloved teacher going on maternity leave, the class now faces a strict, elderly substitute teacher, Mrs Malkin. In order to teach them responsibility, she suggests a pupil takes home one of the class pets for a weekend to care for them.

And so the kids in turn take home Leo, who turns out to be a talking lizard. To each kid, Leo tells them they are the only one able to hear him, and in the process he has a profound impact on their lives as he gives them advise on their personal dilemmas. My favourite character was Eli, a kid with over-protective parents who has a drone to look after him. The drone itself was a delightful and funny character.

With many scenes being very cartoonish and a bit silly, this film is definitely more for kids. Having said that, it is still a film adults will enjoy, too, and there are indeed many very funny moments. Towards the end it also becomes an action-packed adventure.

The only thing I didn't like about the movie, was all the constant singing. Ever since the huge success of 'Frozen', so many animated movies since features musical segments. It's like found footage movies that overstayed its welcome. I get it, young kids like so sing or hum to a catchy melody when they watch cartoons, but I found it a little annoying. Oh, go on, call me a grump if you must...

In general, 'Leo' is an enjoyable film, and yes, I definitely enjoyed it.

Overall, I felt that the first half of Leo was much better than the second half, which suffered from poor pacing and loses steam. The musical numbers come out of nowhere and are deeply forgettable but the fun, silly humor (minus a few dirty jokes that went over kids' heads and felt shoehorned in) with which Leo interacts with the students is delightful. Even if you hate Sandler's comedic stylings (I don't), you will likely find yourself somewhat charmed by this septuagenarian lizard imparting wisdom to 5th graders. The substitute teacher's character arc is convulated and non-sensical, contributing to a final act that feel rushed at times, too slow at others, and wholly unsatisfying. But, to be clear, it is a fine move for what it seta out to be: a cute family film that delivers thoughtful lessons packaged in Sandler's classic style of humor. 6.8/10.

Just like his children's movies such as 'Bedtime Stories' or any from the 'Hotel Transylvania' franchise, Adam Sandler always brings a very endearing quality. His newest animated feature, 'Leo,' portrays a class pet who shares his wisdom of the last 75 years, living through the decades in his final years. Leo brings a dignified heart to the movie. As he opens up, he can talk to students in the classroom who take him home as an assignment, helping them work through their personal problems and struggles of growing up. It's this kind of endearment that Adam Sandler brings to his children's movies that I am such a sucker for. Of course, I love his raunchy comedies and more adult flex, but every time I see Adam Sandler pursue children-related content, he always leaves a deep, profound message for children to identify with and learn from. Also, this movie is quite musical, which I found surprising at times!

Long story short, this is the perfect movie for any child to help them understand life's hardships growing up. It can seriously help children develop their own confidence in facing the struggles they may encounter in this day and age. As I stated before, I wish Adam Sandler would commit to making more children's movies because he really drives meaningful messages that many other children's movies don't often tackle enough. I give Adam Sandler credit for this movie. While it's aimed at a much younger audience, there are things even adults can learn from this movie's perspective if watched with a childlike sense of heart. Definitely go check this movie out with your kids! It'll be a fun watch with a lot of important life lessons about self-esteem and being comfortable with who you are!