Another Triumph for Adam Sandler and Netflix

Leo [2023]

Film

What a year it's been for animation! Early in the year we were gifted the incredible Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2018 Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse. The film was not only critically well received, but audiences loved it as well. Illumination's The Super Mario Bros. Movie may not have been a cinematic masterpiece but that didn't stop it from annihilating the box office. Cashing in over a billion dollars, The Super Mario Bros. Movie was the highest grossing movie of the year until it was dethroned by Greta Gerwig's Barbie.

Not to mention we also got a new animated TMNT film in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, another critically acclaimed entry for the year. Netflix, also had a pair of under the radar hits with The Monkey King and Nimona. Last but not least, Disney and Pixar's Elemental flew under just about everyone's radar but is another solid entry in the storied history of their filmography. In about a week we'll also have the return of the king Hayao Miyazaki's first film in ten years, The Boy and the Heron!

All of this is pretty much just to say, I had fairly low expectations when I saw the new Netflix animated film Leo pop up. There's been so many fantastic animated films this year, there's bound to be one bad one in the mix right? Which is fine with me, I was ready to accept that. I see Adam Sandler doing a silly voice as an animated lizard in a musical about fifth graders, maybe I'll just watch it for posterity.

Well, in a wild turn of events, I loved the film.

While not without it's flaws, Leo is a hilarious and heartfelt film that fits the niche of being an entertaining film for adults that put it on for their kids. Or in my case, just entertains a kid-less household.

Leo follows the life of Leo (Sandler), an iguana living as a class pet in a fifth grade classroom. Alongside Leo is his best friend Squirtle (Bill Burr) who in classic Burr fashion, is a curmudgeonly reptile. Finding out that he is one year from the life expectancy of iguanas, Leo is determined to escape and live his dying days in the freedom of the Everglades. However, as students take Leo home on the weekends to build responsibility, Leo takes it upon himself to impart his years of wisdom on them.

Leo [2023]

Not only is this wisdom often delivered through comedy or musical numbers, slapstick included, but Sandler's voice work as Leo is the perfect vehicle for it. Masquerading as cute and silly lines in the film, Leo's messages are often rather mature and complex in their own right. Ideas such as self awareness, emotional intelligence, and navigating the neuroticism of parents while attempting to learn and grow as a child are tucked away in the hilarious storytelling of Sandler's Leo. These little lessons are perfect for younger audiences of the film but the heartfelt earnestness of it all is mature enough to ring true for an older audience as well. Overall the film's themes are a wonderful blend of childish humor, endearing messages of growing older and finding your way in the world.

The plot fizzles here and there, such as when the antagonist substitute teacher Ms Malkin (Cecily Strong), absconds with Leo, leaving him in the Everglades. But again, the humor and heart of the film kept me attached enough to push through any chaos in the story. I couldn't really care less about it to be honest, I needed more of Sandler's hilarious voice work imparting wisdom on these kids.

The reoccurrence of some great comedic gags, kept me invested as well. Splitting my sides with laughter every time one came up. Portraying kindergartners as bulbous headed rambunctious flea like creatures just about killed me every time they sprang across the screen. Every other talking animal in the film also had some fantastic lines, with Burr's Squirtle character shouldering some of the comedic heavy lifting.

All things considered, Leo was as entertaining of a watch as one could ask for. Filled with humor, heart, and a well balanced amount of mature topics and childlike wonder presents an animated film for a wide audience.

Froth

A few months ago a pair of my favorite breweries collaborated on a delicious piece of brewing. Ecliptic Brewing and Aslan Brewing combined their impeccable brewing abilities to create Leo Rising, a fantastic new entry in the Porter family. Looking back at this beer I have nothing but good things to say, but now these feelings are met with melancholy.

At the beginning of November it was announced that the Ecliptic brand had been sold, and the restaurant was to cease operations. The behemoth of economic downturn knows no bounds and the loss of Ecliptic beer to a larger brand identity is an incredibly sad outcome. The Phaser Hazy IPA and Starburst IPA are some of my favorites and I look forward to celebrating the legacy of John Harris and his delightful creation, Ecliptic Brewing.

That being said, Leo Rising is an incredible high note to end on. Bursting with warm roasty flavor, combined with some delightful milk chocolate creates an all around rich experience. But don't let my choice of the word rich fool you. With a medium body and a cool 5% ABV, Leo Rising is an easy-breezy porter to enjoy on a cool day.