LIKES:
Cute:
Family Friendly
Brisk Pace
Good Voice Acting
Good Morals
Respectable Animation
Great, Fun, Music
Summary:
I've never seen an episode of the show, but from my history with children's entertainment, the movie feels very much like an episode with a heavier budget. A family-friendly adventure, Gabby's tale is welcoming to younger audiences, where the dangers are few, the tension is practically gone, and much of the emotion is happiness and fun. It moves at a brisk pace, giving you little downtime as Gabby and her CGI buddies head to rescue them from the collector Vera. That kind of story is simple, and there are very few things to scare sensitive viewers, making them feel very at home in the Netflix series. The voice work is solid, pretty much feeling like cartoon cats who are speaking in those cute, soft, and soothing tones. I won't say they get the Best Actor Oscar, but they fit just fine in this movie and accomplish what the television series has made standard practice in its airing. Good morals come with the little fun adventures, presented in that direct, slap-you-in-the-face method that young kids can't get enough of as they learn important lessons of sharing, imagination, kindness, and more. It's a respectable animation as well, nothing too extravagant like Pixar or DreamWorks, but there is still some good dedication to the animation, with just enough polishing that shines well in the theaters. Finally, I really had fun with the soundtrack, a bunch of musical numbers that made me want to get out of my seat and dance. Technological-Pop tracks with lots of youthful energy, Gabby's Dollhouse may not have the most unique soundtrack, but it certainly has the heart of the movie, which is always a benefit for me.
DISLIKES:
Simplistic
Perhaps Too Fast
Too Silly For Most Adults
A Haphazard Story
Much more Geared Towards Kids
Necessary For Theaters
Summary
Yet, the movie's limitations are limited in that it's a kid's movie, and one that doesn't appeal to a wide variety of parents. It's simplistic, an adventure lacking much bite that is safe, which means entertainment values are going to be finding joy in the comedy, or in watching your little one beam at their characters. The fast pace doesn't do justice to exploring the various parts of Vera's territory, too much crammed into one movie that you only get appetizer bites, rather than a full-on feast of a film. The silliness may be cute, but the movie again drifts into excessive tactics to draw a laugh that range from super-exaggerated lines to tumbling maneuvers with cute sound effects. It's adorable, but is that enough for other members beyond the target age range? I think no. And though there is a feasible story, Gabby's Dollhouse still needed some better writing to give it a theater-worthy story that I think they were shooting for with this project. A little more focus, less music, and a bit more clever villain integration would have done wonders to help spice Gabby's adventure up just a bit. So while it is a strong movie for kids, that may also be the biggest weakness, because it lacks some more spectacle, pizazz, and composure that I think a movie often needs. Which brings me to the final dislike: was the movie worth seeing in the theater? I don't think so. There was just not enough to say this was needed in the theaters, and could have been a direct release to Netflix, where the series originated.
The VERDICT:
Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie is a film that is easy to predict when you look at the trailer. It's a simple, G-rated film that feels like an extended episode of the show, filled with plenty of adorable, family-friendly antics that make it fun to enjoy together. Very little exists in this film that is scary, as the oddly themed characters work to teach us the lessons that we take for granted. With plenty of new places for them to explore, allowing for each of our cats to show off their special powers, this will help get the merchandising sector a little boost. The important thing is that it is fun, and I think most will enjoy the adorable antics to come, especially if your kids act like some of the ones in my film as they dance to the kicking beat. However, the movie is very limited outside of that target age range, and that limitation is what robs the film of a story, pacing, and any real meat that some other shows have done better. As mentioned above, is this movie worthy of a theater visit? I don't think so, and I'm certain it will be on Netflix sooner rather than later. Thus, wait for this one to come to streaming, or go together as a family for an outing to maximize your time together. My scores for the film are:
Adventure/Animation/Fantasy/Family/Comedy/Musical: 7.0
Movie Overall: 6.0.
