Anytime a property hits it big it is only a matter of time before it gets brought onto a bigger platform typically on the big screen. The massively popular streaming kids series Gabby’s Dollhouse was next on the list with its first feature film aptly titled Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie starring Laila Lockhart Kraner, Kristen Wiig, Gloria Estefan, Jason Mantzoukas, and Thomas Lennon.

 

Gabby’s Dollhouse follows Gabby and Grandma Gigi who set off on a magical road trip to Cat Francisco. But when her dollhouse is swiped by the eccentric cat lady, Vera, Gabby embarks on a real-world rescue mission full of surprises, sparkles, and heart.

 

As I am not the core audience for this film or series, I know little to nothing about this property outside of what my 5-year-old granddaughter has told me. I had zero interest in this but plopped down to watch it with her so a lot of my review will be based on the film itself and her reaction to give it a fair balanced review.

 

The film is silly all around but seems to stick with the form and ideals of the series which means it seems to hit the mark. What I will give it credit for is it did step it up to feel like a bigger adventure as it should in feature form as opposed to just rehashing the usual series like a lot of these properties do. From an animation point of view, it does a good job weaving between the real world and animated world as well as blending the two to create this fun world for kids.

 

The cast are fine with Kristen Wiig going all in for this villainous role and seemingly having some fun with it. I can’t say that it ever found that moment like some animated features that capture the adult sensibilities, but it’s not