Allen review
This good-natured if relentlessly unsubtle family film from Netflix and the studio behind Bluey relies on a cute alien with no personality
TL;DR
- The film Allen explores the theme of moving on from formative experiences, unlike traditional stories where characters grow from magical encounters.
- The story follows Petey, who befriends an alien named Allen in the 90s and is unable to let go of the relationship into adulthood.
- The film is criticized for being relentlessly unsubtle, with dialogue and plot points that spell out the obvious.
- A major criticism is the lack of personality in the alien character, Allen, who is described as an amalgamation of traits rather than an individual.
- The film adopts a retro, Amblin-esque tone but is criticized for its glossy, synthetic look and cloying dialogue.
- Despite a good-natured intention, the film lays its emotional messages on too thick, leaving little room for audience feeling.