the movieGOOMBA

3 GOOMBAS

So does anyone even know what Meet the Robinsons is about? This here, my friends, is another prime example of how movie trailers can't tell you anything. I think I saw the trailer for this animation ten times, and I still didn't know what the heck I was about to watch. Something with a dinosaur that looked very similar to Rex, the plastic dinosaur from Toy Story and a blond kid with Dragonball hair. Doesn't really tell us much does it? Well, that's what the movieGOOMBA is here for! I save you from the flop or turn you on to what's on top. Disney's first animated film independent of Pixar, however, is neither of those.

Meet The Robinsons is about an orphaned boy named Lewis who is gifted with an exceptional knack for inventing. Believing that he can invent a machine to look into his lost infant memories to remember his mom, he begins to create the contraption only to have it stolen by Bowler Hat Guy, the villain from the future. With the help of Wilbur and his "modern" family, the Robinsons, Lewis fights to get his invention back and hopefully gains the chance to "remember" his mother.

Good, clean, fun, this family flick provides the perfect distraction for children whose parents need a few moments to themselves. Other than that, Meet The Robinsons fails miserably in comparison to Disney's other computer-generated hits like Bugs Life, Cars, and Toy Story. It wasn't nearly as clever, nor did it have the wit or comedy that we've come to expect. When the bar is raised, its hard to compete. The story was straight forward and it did evoke the sympathy that is essential in family films of this nature. It was easy for little kids to understand, even with the time-space continuum theory present, and it was colorful and pleasant. I did have a major issue with the whole Oedipus Complex theme that was heavily present throughout the film, but other than that, nothing in Meet The Robinsons made me frustrated; always a good sign.

If you have kids, I'd say that this movie would compliment a family film library nicely. But as a normal, even movie fanatical, adult, I really don't think you need to meet the Robinsons. They aren't that interesting.