Adam Sandler strikes comedic gold in a brilliant animated musical about raising good children and learning to be better parents. Leo is a 74-year-old lizard-like tuatara that has been stuck in a fifth grade classroom’s terrarium since 1949. Decades of seeing kids come and go has given the scaly green reptile keen insight into their personalities. He also understands where adults go wrong in micromanaging every aspect of youngsters’ lives. Leo’s desire to break free before he croaks spawns hilarious adventures. He has a wonderful impact that inspires positive change. Leo’s clever script, incisive songs, and fantastic characters will have families laughing hysterically this Thanksgiving.
Leo (Sandler) stares through his glass cage as a new year begins at a South Florida elementary school. Wide-eyed, yapping, and feral kindergartners swarm their hapless teachers like hungry hyenas. Thankfully, the fifth graders aren’t that crazy. Squirtle (Bill Burr), Leo’s sarcastic turtle roommate, pulls up for the show. The beloved Mrs. Salinas (Allison Strong) seats the class before puking in the trash. Leo and Squirtle chime “pregnant” together. They noticed her baby bump.
The Principal (Rob Schneider) enters the room with a gruff old woman. Ms. Malkin (Cecily Strong) will replace Mrs. Salinas while she’s on maternity leave. Ms. Malkin isn’t a sweet, caring nurturer who embraces modern teaching methods. She collects everyone’s cell phones, smashes a pile of books on their desks, and tears down the star chart. Students will work hard or face severe discipline. They will each learn responsibility by taking home a class pet for the weekend.
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Leo’s Escape Plan
Release Date November 21, 2023
Director Robert Marianetti, Robert Smigel, David Wachtenheim
Cast Adam Sandler, Bill Burr, Cecily Strong, Jason Alexander, Rob Schneider, Allison Strong
Rating PG
Runtime 1hr 42min
Genres Animation, Comedy, Musical
Leo’s aghast when the chatterbox Jayda (Sadie Sandler) announces that a tuatara’s lifespan ends at 75. He’s only got a year left before the permanent dirt nap. A panicked Leo has never been outside. He’s been stuck in that lame cage since a hatchling. Leo swears to break out and make it to the Everglades for his last hurrah, an idea that Squirtle finds impossible and ridiculous. They can’t even make it past the glass. Leo plans a devious escape when Jayda’s picked to go first.
Jayda’s nonstop talking dulls her parents and brother into a stupor. The constant babbling has made her quite unpopular. She’s stunned when Leo talks and tells her to turn off the motormouth. Jayda doesn’t realize that listening is the best way to make friends. Leo gives her friendly but stern advice. He makes her swear to keep his ability to talk a secret. Leo doesn’t want to end up as a science project. His getaway fails spectacularly. Jayda returns him to class as a quieter and more mature girl.
Leo’s effort to find freedom results in a big brother status with all the children. Each child has a problem or character flaw they don’t know how to handle. Their parents mean well but end up reinforcing negative behavior. Leo gives them straight and unvarnished advice. He’s not harsh, but doesn’t dance around the obvious. His support builds strong bonds between the students as they let their guard down. They become a supportive community with better grades and academic prosperity, while Ms. Malkin gleefully takes undue credit.
A Year to Live
Netflix
The clever script from Sandler, animation legend Robert Smigel (TV Funhouse, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog), and frequent collaborator Paul Sado (Sandy Wexler, The Cobbler) pushes the envelope without going overboard. Children aren’t treated like fragile objects. A spoonful of honesty goes a long way. Skyler (Tienya Safko) cries because she misses her departed grandpa. He allowed her to be intellectual. She doesn’t want to be a know-it-all. Leo, in one of the best scenes, croons for Skyler to turn off her tears. Crying is a needed release but too much gets you nowhere. Never be afraid to show you’re smart and capable.
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Leo has a knee-slapping running joke that skewers helicopter parenting. Zane (Coulter Ibanez) has a drone that follows him everywhere. It disinfects every surface, spoon-feeds him, and even wipes his behind. He literally can’t use the bathroom without a hovering toilet nanny. Leo cuts the apron strings with a little dirt and gristle. His parents, who laughably put him in a Tyvek suit for play dates, almost have a seizure when he breaks free of their restrictive control. Stop being overprotective and let children have their own experiences.
Netflix
If you weren’t aware, Leo is a musical. Directors Robert Marianetti and David Wachtenheim, veteran animators who worked with Smigel for years on Saturday Night Live, nail this important element. The songs are short and sweet. Characters aren’t belting out tunes to show high falsetto vocal ranges. They serve a specific purpose in the narrative. Stop crying, don’t be a bully, and respect others less fortunate — these lessons are jovially taught with catchy lyrics. The filmmakers find the perfect common ground. The music is never intrusive or unnecessary.
Leo teaches without being preachy or disrespectful. It is a joy to behold for all ages. Leo easily ranks as one of Sandler’s best films. The kindergartners’ sight gag had me rolling every time.
Leo is a Happy Madison and Netflix Animation production. It is currently available to stream exclusively on Netflix; you can find a link to the film after the trailer below:
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