Dir. by Barry Sonnenfeld
Cast: Raul Julia, Anjelica Huston, Christopher Lloyd, Christina Ricci, Jimmy Workman, Elizabeth Wilson
At the end of the month, I will be posting a complete list of all the horror movies I watched in October, but given that this is just a comedy, I will review it instead of including it in that post. The Addams Family is truly a staple of my childhood. Upon rewatching it as an adult, I was worried it would not hold up in any regard other than nostalgia. Boy was I wrong. It is a riot. Such campy, silly, and crazy fun holds the story together, reinforced by impeccable casting. Christopher Lloyd is a sensation and every single moment he is on screen, I feel like laughing. From his posture, to his facial expressions, to the way he moves and walks is so perfect. This movies just feels like scene after scene of glorious romping fun without any care for much of an overarching plot, despite the fact that there is one. The mamushka, the children’s play, and so many more scenes are completely irrelevant to the plot but they are what make the movie great. From a production standpoint, the sets and props are awesome. Like everything leading down to the treasure, as well as the house in general is so cool. In general, I just think the tone and atmosphere of this film fits perfectly with the characters and story. I would be curious to see a serious horror remake of the characters. I don’t remember much about the sequel, but I am curious to rewatch it now that I enjoyed this one so much. I am also interested in what Tim Burton will do with it in his new show. The Addams Family is great fun for adults and children alike, and a wonderful addition to the Halloween season.
8/10