CRITICAL / FILM OPINION: After a first episode released in 2019, Universal Pictures has just unveiled “The Addams Family 2: a hell of a ride”. A second opus in the right lineage of the first, with its qualities as its faults.
The Addams Family 2 : a sequel that does not add much more
After two excellent adaptations by Barry Sonnenfeld in the 1990s, The Addams Family is back in a whole different vein. In 2019, Universal decides to reboot the license as an animated film. The studio entrusts this new version of The Addams Family to the duo Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiernan. A proposal which completely distorted the license, preferring to opt for a rather crude childish and comical approach, saved in extremis by strong and definitely cult characters. The film had nevertheless brought in more than $ 203 million in revenue at the box office for a budget of $ 24 million. An impressive score which prompted Universal to produce a second opus.
Thereby, Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiernan are back directing The Addams Family 2. Unsurprisingly, this sequel clearly doesn’t add anything additional to The Addams Family mythology. Opportunistic sequel, which does not have much to tell, and which is terribly lacking in inspiration, The Addams Family 2 chooses the premise of the warm departure of the road-trip through the United States. This dysfunctional family leaves the roof of their mansion for a trip to hell.
Tasteless movie, this lack of inspiration in the narrative distorts the franchise via a scenario which has difficulty masking the emptiness of its words. Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiernan approach the notions of parenthood and inheritance with a simplistic question: Is Wednesday really the daughter of the Addams couple? This journey through different settings is simply a pretext for a chain of disjointed gags, and who smell severely warm. The macabre irony of the license is watered down, replaced by a pop and colorful approach that doesn’t really suit the universe.
To be reserved for the youngest
The Addams Family 2 however the merit of being less noisy and exhausting than its predecessor. Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiernan are a little calmer and measured compared to the hubbub of the first opus. A shorter, less garish film, which makes better use of its music and its soundtrack. It is also necessary to underline the rather impressive visual work of the duo. The sets, above all, are impressively beautiful. Each shot is a real screen, and the treatment of the color is a real eye-catcher.
At last, we must remember the presence of cousin Machin, best character of this animated saga. Voiced by Snoop Dogg, this hairy little creature is a endearing and hilarious transcription of the famous rapper. The latter is auto-parody in this meta representation, funny allegory of a unique media character. And finally, he is undoubtedly the most creative and the most fascinating of all the bestiary of The Addams Family 2.
The movie also likes to offer some nice references for horror movie lovers. Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiernan thus propose nods to Jaws, the time of a tribute shot to the compensated tracking shot on Roy Scheider at Carrie at the Devil’s Ballwhen Wednesday drops red paint on a bunch of little girls on stage, at Fly when Uncle Fetid transforms, or still at Godzilla vs Kong in a titanic final showdown. But overall, The Addams Family 2 is, unsurprisingly dispensable and reserved for a very young audience.
The Addams Family 2: a hell of a ride by Conrad Vernon and Greg Tiernan in theaters from October 13, 2021. Above the trailer. Find all our trailers here.
