For animated movies to fully keep my attention, it usually helps if funny, fun, cute and moving/heartwarming are key elements of a well-written story and finished film. Unfortunately, in The Willoughbys, neither of these themes came across especially strongly for me.

Directors Kris Pearn, Cory Evans and Rob Lodermeier’s film about four children with terrible parents, the kind who only have time for themselves and their romantic love, proved quite disappointing. 

Even though The Willoughbys has some funny moments, it’s the kind of humour that made me smile instead of laugh. The finished film has the quirkiness and darkness that got my attention during the trailer. Yet, it’s as if the story tried to do too many things at once. A reality that yielded a disjointed experience. One that’s not as engaging or entertaining as I’d hoped. In fact, by the time The Willoughbys’s overarching theme about ‘the family you choose’ came along, it barely proved impactful. At least not in a way that I connected with.

Even though within thirty minutes of hitting play, I knew I wasn’t really enjoying The Willoughbys. I thought that I’d eventually get into it, and the story would finally settle into a groove I could get on board with. But sadly not.

As for the pointy noises I mentioned in my response to the trailer, they didn’t prove as jarring as they were initially, but that’s not to say that I was ever fully comfortable with them either. 

Give The Willoughbys a chance if you’re very curious. Some people find it refreshingly different. I’m clearly not one of them but perhaps you are.

Happy Film Loving,

G