Abominable
ABOMINABLE © 2019 Universal Studios.
In an age of animated film now a part of a saturated genre and not the delicately produced once-a-year cycle it once was, to stand out from the norm an animated film needs to not only have an incredible aesthetic but a poignant and fresh voice, much like Coco rather than the regurgitated mess that is Toy Story 4.
Abdominable does neither to liven up its spirit in regards to a fresh voice or aesthetic but it does boast quite the visuals that are outrageously convincing in terms of textures and setting. The fur on the titular monster is jaw-droppingly impressive, looking nothing short of the real thing. The environment and resulting set-pieces are remarkable feats with tremendously implemented colours filling the screen.
That being said, in every other form of filmmaking, Abdominable fails to inject any real flavour or interest. A conventional and dull, emotional main plot leaves a considerable amount of investment to be desired. It is lacklustre and tedious, to be quite frank, with such conventional writing that is neither an inciteful degree of authentic humanity or interest to pull the audience through.
ABOMINABLE © 2019 Universal Studios.
The voice acting fails to incite any flavour either, with Chloe Bennet as Yi creating what feels sadly ripped from a routine High School play performance with little emotional resonation to be found. Sarah Paulson as Dr Zara is incredibly disappointing with a vocal performance that cannot muster a verbal presence or impact whatsoever. Albert Tsai and Tenzing Norgay Trainor as Peng and Jin, respectively, do a decent shift to add more of a comedic and emotional dynamic to Bennet's Yi but alas, it all drowns in fabricated sentimentality.
The most disappointing and depressing aspect is the film’s westernisation. A co-joint venture between America and China, the only remote inkling of the latter is the setting and character design. American accents and Americanisation are in full force, with little Eastern culture truly felt in a film that becomes dangerously close to exploitation. It begs the question: why was an Eastern anime flair or anime animation not implemented to create a distinctly unique and outrageously effective aesthetic?
NETFLIX Klaus proved that a distinctive animated palette could reinvent the wheel and given every opportunity and excuse to explore Eastern animation, Abdominable maintains the dull and generic Western ideals that cause far more issues and concerns than complaints of being an unoriginal and dull affair.
Abominable is released October 11th 2019
