Full disclosure, I did NOT grow up with Sesame Street, so I went into this movie without any nostalgic baggage. I've seen bits and pieces of the show here and there, but I'm by no means a fan.
It's a simple story aimed at ages 5 and under, but the performers sell it with earnest, heartfelt performances. Big Bird saying goodbye to Snuffy, singing the blue bird song, and getting rescued got me more emotionally involved than I would've bargained for. There's some decent throwaway gags only keen-eyed adults will pick up on as well.
It helps that Big Bird is the main character. Based on my limited exposure, he's the only Sesame Street character I really like. Carroll Spinney was the OG BB IMO. His replacement VA nowadays sounds...off; too deep and nasally and doesn't emote enough. Elmo is annoying, and I roll my eyes at how he's taken center stage over the years. He's thankfully not in this movie. I think the earnestness and emotion put into these voice performances are what really sell the movie.
The film definitely feels stretched out and padded with songs, desperate to hit 90 minutes. Miss Finch's change of heart was hilariously abrupt, and the carnies are clearly only there for a paycheck. Despite some annoyances, parents can sit through this movie just fine, and I'm sure the target audience will enjoy it, too. It's a squeaky clean movie that makes the viewer feel warm inside, and frankly that's all I think the filmmakers were really trying to accomplish here.
It's a simple story aimed at ages 5 and under, but the performers sell it with earnest, heartfelt performances. Big Bird saying goodbye to Snuffy, singing the blue bird song, and getting rescued got me more emotionally involved than I would've bargained for. There's some decent throwaway gags only keen-eyed adults will pick up on as well.
It helps that Big Bird is the main character. Based on my limited exposure, he's the only Sesame Street character I really like. Carroll Spinney was the OG BB IMO. His replacement VA nowadays sounds...off; too deep and nasally and doesn't emote enough. Elmo is annoying, and I roll my eyes at how he's taken center stage over the years. He's thankfully not in this movie. I think the earnestness and emotion put into these voice performances are what really sell the movie.
The film definitely feels stretched out and padded with songs, desperate to hit 90 minutes. Miss Finch's change of heart was hilariously abrupt, and the carnies are clearly only there for a paycheck. Despite some annoyances, parents can sit through this movie just fine, and I'm sure the target audience will enjoy it, too. It's a squeaky clean movie that makes the viewer feel warm inside, and frankly that's all I think the filmmakers were really trying to accomplish here.