CULT_CRITIC_REVIEW_AGGREGATOR

Even the usually dependable Kevin Harte, who can often elicit laughs just with his mannerisms, is rendered unfunny and even cringe-worthy during large stretches, with the comedy coming off really forced and amateurish. Usually in such action comedies, when the comedy falters the action usually ramps up to bridge the gap but director Patrick Hughes struggles to execute any action scenes that draw the viewers' attention, further complicating matters by hitting every cliche possible with his characterization of antagonists.

A fantastic and brilliantly conceived look into a highly dysfunctional and wonderfully funny family of superhuman children who have now grown up, whose lives have all changed for the worse: once media superstars constantly bathed in the spotlight of public attention, the members of the Umbrella Academy are split up, missing, or even dead.

It certainly is not an Austen purist's version of the original novel but the liberties taken were enjoyable and entertaining imo. Dakota Johnson's Anne was slightly updated with the modern language employed in the script, but as an old fan of JA, this technique might well be useful in attracting a new generation of viewers who may next decide to explore the book as a result of watching this movie.