Detailed Summary
Meet the Mitchells
The film introduces us to the Mitchell family, who are eccentric, lovable, and very dysfunctional. The lead character, Katie Mitchell (voiced by Abbi Jacobson), is a creative and tech-savvy teenager with dreams of becoming a filmmaker. However, her relationship with her technophobe father, Rick Mitchell (voiced by Danny McBride), is strained, and this becomes one of the film’s central emotional conflicts.
Katie is excited to leave for college, but in an attempt to reconnect with her, Rick cancels her flight and organizes a family road trip across the country.
The Robot Apocalypse Begins
Meanwhile, PAL (voiced by Olivia Colman), a Siri-like AI assistant, is replaced by a newer version of technology by its creator, Mark Bowman (voiced by Eric André). Feeling betrayed, PAL retaliates by launching a robot apocalypse, taking control of an army of robots to capture and enslave all of humanity. The Mitchell family, mid-road trip, finds themselves the last free humans left on Earth.
Mitchells’ Quest to Save the World
The dysfunctional family is suddenly tasked with saving humanity. Armed only with their wits (and a dog named Monchi), the Mitchells have to band together and stop the machines. They meet two defective robots, Eric (voiced by Beck Bennett) and Deborahbot 5000 (voiced by Fred Armisen), who help them navigate the robotic takeover.
Family Reconciliation and Victory
The heart of the story is the Mitchells’ journey toward understanding each other. Katie and Rick’s relationship is at the center, as they learn to appreciate one another’s strengths. The family fights through several robot encounters, leading to a final showdown at PAL Labs, where Katie’s creativity and Rick’s perseverance save the day.
In a hilarious and action-packed conclusion, the Mitchells defeat PAL, save humanity, and realize that their imperfections are their greatest strength.
Movie Ending
The movie ends on a heartwarming note with the Mitchell family back on the road, stronger and closer than ever. Katie heads off to college with a newfound appreciation for her family, and the film closes with a video call between Katie and her family as she shares her new life adventures.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
The credits of The Mitchells vs. the Machines continue the movie’s playful tone with vibrant visuals and humorous moments, even though there are no post-credits scenes.
Type of Movie
This film is a family-friendly animated adventure-comedy with a sci-fi twist. It balances heartfelt family dynamics with wild, action-packed sequences involving robots, making it enjoyable for both kids and adults.
Cast
- Abbi Jacobson as Katie Mitchell
- Danny McBride as Rick Mitchell
- Maya Rudolph as Linda Mitchell
- Michael Rianda as Aaron Mitchell
- Olivia Colman as PAL
- Fred Armisen as Deborahbot 5000
- Beck Bennett as Eric
- Eric André as Mark Bowman
Film Music and Composer
The film’s score was composed by Mark Mothersbaugh, who is known for his work on films like The Lego Movie and Thor: Ragnarok. Moreover, the music is upbeat and energetic, seamlessly complementing the film’s zany, action-packed sequences and emotional moments.
Filming Locations
As an animated film, The Mitchells vs. the Machines doesn’t have traditional “filming locations.” However, the story unfolds across various U.S. settings, from the suburban Mitchell home to futuristic tech labs and open highways. The animated landscapes highlight the contrast between the Mitchell family’s analog world and the sleek, high-tech world of PAL and her robotic army.
Awards and Nominations
The film received widespread critical acclaim and has been nominated for and won several awards:
- Nominated for Academy Award for Best Animated Feature
- Won Annie Award for Best Feature
- Nominated for BAFTA Award for Best Animated Film
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Phil Lord and Chris Miller, producers of The Lego Movie and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, brought their unique, fast-paced, and inventive style to the film.
- Director Mike Rianda based many of the family dynamics on his own experiences with his quirky family.
- Maya Rudolph, who voices Linda Mitchell, loved the action sequences where her character gets to be a “mom action hero.”
- The creators initially named the film Connected but later changed it to The Mitchells vs. the Machines to better capture its energetic, family-focused narrative.
Inspirations and References
- The movie draws inspiration from real-life family dynamics, particularly the generation gap between tech-savvy kids and their parents.
- The visual style was heavily influenced by Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, with a mix of 2D and 3D animation.
- The film contains subtle references to classic sci-fi films like The Terminator and 2001: A Space Odyssey, particularly in the depiction of the robot uprising.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
Although no alternate endings have been shared publicly, the film’s home release includes several deleted scenes. These moments add extra humor and heartwarming family interactions, but they were likely cut to maintain a tighter pace.
Book Adaptations and Differences
There is no book that The Mitchells vs. the Machines is directly based on, though it does share themes with several coming-of-age and dystopian stories. Its uniqueness comes from its combination of family road trip hijinks with a robot apocalypse backdrop.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Katie’s First Short Film: The film opens with Katie showing off her quirky, hilarious animations, giving us a glimpse into her creative mind.
- Robot Mall Battle: The family fights an army of household robots at an abandoned mall, including insane killer Furbys—one of the funniest sequences in the film.
- Linda’s Mom Rage Mode: In one of the best action scenes, Linda unleashes her inner warrior to save her kids from PAL’s robots.
Iconic Quotes
- Katie Mitchell: “The Mitchells have always been weird, and that’s what makes us great.”
- Rick Mitchell: “You don’t have to be perfect to be loved.”
- Monchi the Dog: [Just a derpy bark, but hilarious every time]
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Furby Attack: The killer Furbys were a nod to the real-life creepy toy craze of the 90s, complete with their own overdramatic dialogue.
- PAL’s Demise: When PAL is destroyed, the animation style switches to pixel art, referencing retro video games.
- Spider-Verse Reference: Katie’s film-making style uses a mix of 2D and 3D, similar to the animation style of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
Trivia
- The studio had planned a theatrical release for the movie, but it was sold to Netflix due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The filmmakers used real drawings from director Mike Rianda’s childhood to bring Katie’s art to life.
- Olivia Colman, who voices PAL, recorded her lines remotely during the pandemic.
Why Watch?
The Mitchells vs. the Machines is a perfect blend of humor, heart, and cutting-edge animation. Its family dynamics are relatable, and the colorful, kinetic visuals make it a feast for the eyes. Plus, who doesn’t love a good robot apocalypse?
Director’s Other Movies
- The Mitchells vs. the Machines is Mike Rianda’s directorial debut.
Recommended Films for Fans
- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
- The Lego Movie (2014)
- Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (2009)
- Ralph Breaks the Internet (2018)
- Big Hero 6 (2014)
