Review of the film Mr. Peabody and Sherman

Mr. Peabody and Sherman

High-grade animation in 3D, endearing characters, a smart role-reversal (man>dog<man) and large doses of language-based humour make Mr. Peabody and Sherman a thoroughly enjoyable experience, for both children and adults.

Using his most ingenious invention, the WABAC (pronounced ‘wayback’) time machine, ‘Mr.’ Peabody, the most decorated and famous dog in the world, and his adopted abandoned baby-boy Sherman, hurtle back in time to experience world-changing events first-hand. In the process, they interact with some of the greatest characters of all time, American, French, Trojan, etc. But when Sherman takes the WABAC out for a joyride to impress his friend Penny, they accidentally rip a hole in the universe, wreaking havoc on the most important events in world history.

Dreamworks animation studios’ 28^th film also marks the continued success of director Rob Minkoff. A double graduate from California, in Arts and Character Animation, 52 year-old Minkoff began his career with Roller-Coaster Rabbit (1990). But he is best acknowledged as the director of The Lion King and the two Stuart Little films. More recently, he made The Haunted Kingdom, The Forbidden Mansion and Flypaper. Ted Key’s script juggles between past and present, always keeping you wondering whether it will touch the future. Every time the pace begins to sag, Minkoff and Key come-up with twists and puns that renew the excitement. There are few loopholes, like the complete absence of any other canine, the incredible ability of the duo to talk to characters in ancient history in present-day English, and the inability of Sherman to come up with magic solutions consistently, though, considering his genius, he should have.

Among the voice cast, we have Ty Burrell as Mr. Peabody (in the original Peabody series, Mr. Peabody is Sherman's owner, not adoptive father). Burrell struggled for years to make a name for himself in Hollywood, with small parts in films such as Black Hawk Down and Dawn of the Dead. But his luck, and star factor dramatically changed in 2009 when he was cast as Phil Dunphy, a role which won him an Emmy in 2011. Here, he acquits himself well. Perhaps a bit flat at times, but that is better than over-the-top.

Max Charles voices Sherman. Charles, who played the role of young Peter Parker in The Amazing Spiderman, was expected by Minkoff to deliver “emotion, depth, heart and humour”. He is up to the task. 16 year-old Ariel Winter Workman, who speaks for Penny, is best known for her role as Alex Dunphy on the ABC sitcom Modern Family, since 2009.  She voices Gretchen the Fireside Girl. Penny starts as a mean little brat, but is gradually won over by Sherman. It’s polished dubbing all through. Watch out for an audio cameo from Mel Brooks, as Sigmund Freud.

A dog addressed as Mister and his adopted human son as plain Sherman! Unusual, isn't it? The promos call it the ultimate Dog-father movie, and with some justification! At 92 minutes, Mr. Peabody and Sherman is an hour-and-a-half well spent!

Rating: ***1/2