I’ve lost my way when it comes to films since the pandemic. I just lost the enthusiasm for them during lockdown and never got it back. This is why I’ve not been putting the best effort into getting my reviews out. Part of the problem is that I’m reading more, which is a great change of pace. Another is that I just can’t be bothered. Films are so long these days and I can’t think about sitting down for over 2 hours to watch one. Seven half hour episodes of a TV show on the other hand…

I don’t remember much about the first Addams Family which is definitely not a good sign. I only ended up watching the sequel because I’d been getting excited about Tim Burton’s series coming out. I wasn’t looking forward to it but I was in an Addams Family mood. I wish I hadn’t bothered. The sequel is just boring. There are two major plot points throughout and both of them are forgettable. One involves a question about Wednesday’s paternity, which is as see-through as a window. Then there’s something about Uncle Fester slowly turning into an octopus. Neither of them are appealing and both are dragged on too long.

For the sequel, the film tries to draw on the success of road trip movies past. It’s meant to be National Lampoon’s Vacation but with more spook. The road trip element adds very little except to allow the characters to act out at American landmarks. I guess it’s not really fair of me to criticise this film too much because it’s meant for children. The humour is basic and the storylines aren’t exactly deep. It’s all very much geared towards younger viewers with very little for the adult audience members.

In those terms, it will probably do what it needs to do. I doubt many kids will demand multiple viewings but they’ll probably enjoy it once. The problem with both animated films is that they lack the darkness and creepiness that the franchise normally embraces. Did they need to be scary and gory? Not at all. What we’ve got is just far too tame. It’s disappointing. I feel as though an added touch of (family friendly) horror would have made this film more of a treat for all audience. Instead, there just seems like a distinct lack of effort.