In the animated movie “Leo,” Adam Sandler channels his iconic voice once again, this time for a 74-year-old class lizard. The gurgly, raw monster baritone, famous for phrases like “Shibbbittty bobbity dooo!” on “Saturday Night Live,” aims to bring humor to a plot where the lizard imparts life advice to quirky fifth-graders. Unfortunately, Sandler’s modern artistic laziness takes the spotlight in this Netflix project, resulting in stiff animation and awkward gags. Even the musical numbers featuring Sandler’s voice fail to impress.
“Leo” introduces self-awareness with a slight adult edge, referencing E.B. White’s “Charlotte’s Web” early on. The narrative centers around therapy, with the elderly lizard, Leo, revealing his ability to talk and offering tailored advice to each child. The script, co-written by Sandler, Robert Smigel, and Paul Sado, feels formulaic, treating Leo’s talking ability as a poorly kept secret.
The film introduces Squirtle, a turtle voiced by Bill Burr, who becomes a source of antagonism and offhand urination jokes. Surprisingly, “Leo” incorporates musical elements, but the cut corners are apparent, hindering its attempt to compete with other animated soundtracks.
While “Leo” occasionally injects energy with slapstick and a vibrant color palette, its assembly line animation and lack of attention to detail diminish the overall experience. Awkward product placement and visual gags, reminiscent of the Minions’ style, are scattered throughout. Despite contributions from TV Funhouse, the humor in “Leo” falls short, making it a lackluster attempt at charismatic sentimentality. Visit 02tvseries for more!
