Watch Connected

Connected is a visually captivating and emotionally resonant animated family comedy that follows the Mitchells, a dysfunctional but loving family embarking on a road trip to take their daughter Katie (Abbi Jacobson) to college. She's about to start fresh and find her people and place in the world, feeling both excited and nervous. However, just as they set off on their journey, a tech uprising quickly unfolds, as robots and electronic devices become sentient and take over the world, a nifty premise that taps into our love-hate relationship with technology.

Suddenly, the Mitchells find themselves stranded in a world overrun by machines, and it's up to them to save humanity, the ultimate family bonding experience. Led by the dad Rick (Danny McBride), who's struggling to connect with his daughter and her passion for filmmaking, the family must navigate treacherous terrain, fight machines and robots out to terminate them, and try to avoid getting turned into some form of primitive tech. The sequence where they first encounter a group of flesh-hungry Furbies is pure genius, and there are plenty of colorful, inventive characters and kaleidoscopic visuals to keep audiences of all ages engaged.

However, what makes this film stand out is how relatable it is, despite the craziness of its premise. The film's heart and soul lie in the relationship between Katie and her dad, who's trying to hold on to the past and what he thinks his daughter should be, and the father-daughter animosity is palpable from the get-go. Their conflict stems from the fact that Rick doesn't understand Katie's passion for filmmaking, which separates her from the rest of the family. Given that most family films tend to default to the cliché of dads who don't understand art or hobbies, it's refreshing to see a film that tackles the tension that arises when a parent and a child, both with strong personalities, have different aspirations.

On top of that, the animation is a wonder to behold, seamlessly blending together different mediums, including 3D, 2D, stop-motion, and live-action segments to create a style that's dynamic, playful, and utterly immersive. The film's textures and details, such as the vibrant colors and lighting, the intricate designs of the robots, and the diversity of the environments, will keep viewers engaged throughout the runtime. The script by Mike Rianda and Jeff Rowe is clever, nuanced, and full of heart, successfully mixing humor, action, and an allegory about technology and our addiction to it.

Another aspect that sets Connected apart is the voice acting talent on display. Abbi Jacobson brings vulnerability and wit to Katie, imbuing her with a strong desire to pursue her dream, but also with the doubts and insecurities that come with it. Danny McBride is perfectly cast as the gruff, clueless dad who has to learn to embrace his daughter's unique qualities, and he nimbly navigates between comedy and drama, without resorting to caricature. Maya Rudolph plays Linda, Rick's wife and Katie's mom, who's caught in the middle of their struggle, and her warmth and humor add to the film's sense of camaraderie among the family members.

All in all, Connected is a triumph of an animated movie that not only entertains but also speaks to our times while being grounded in a relatable family story. Its inventiveness, humor, and heart make it a must-see for audiences of all ages and tastes, proving that stories about family, technology, and the apocalypse don't have to be formulaic or shallow to resonate. With its vibrant energy and emotional depth, Connected is a movie that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

Connected is a 2020 animated movie. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6 and a MetaScore of 81.