Years ago Adam Sandler made a genius move signing a huge contract to produce content for Netflix and that has been his home for the most part ever since. Love them or hate them he has had some great comedies and drama come out of the deal and now he is stepping back into the world of animation with the film Leo co-starring Bill Burr, Cecily Strong, Jason Alexander, Rob Schneider, Allison Strong, Jo Koy, Sadie Sandler, and Sunny Sandler from directors Robert Smigel, Robert Marianetti, and David Wachtenheim. Could this film offer up some sage advice for the future or will it get lost in its own molting?

 

Leo follows the last year of elementary school as seen through the eyes of a class pet. A jaded 74-year-old lizard named Leo has been stuck in the same Florida classroom for decades with his turtle terrarium-mate. When he learns that he only has one year left to live, he plans to escape to experience life on the outside, but instead gets caught up in his anxious students' problems--such as an impossibly mean substitute teacher.

 

Animated films hinge on the initial quality of the animation and with so many coming out all the time, more often than not they are just not typically that great. Heading into this one I had only seen the poster so worried this might be another one of those forgettable films, but instead found a film that offers up all the laughs, heart and fun you want from these kinds of movies.

 

First up the animation is way better than I had expected. This is one that would have easily gotten the theatrical run had it not been a Netflix exclusive. Sandler brings is usual silly voice to Leo and it fits well. I know that voice he does can get old sometimes, but here it feels like it matches pretty well. Bill Burr rounding it out as the turtle he lives with, is a match made to be in the terrarium. They bounce lines off of each to perfection and their interactions are pretty funny.