“Abominable” attempts a new take on the classic mythical creature, the abominable snowman, better known as the Yeti. . It stars a young girl, Yi (Chloe Bennet from Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), who lives in Shanghai with her mom (Michelle Wong) and her grandmother, Nai Nai (Tsai Chin). Yi is dealing with the traumatic death of her father when she finds a wild Yeti living on her roof. The wild Yeti was being held captive by Mr. Burnish (Eddie Izzard) when he escapes and runs away. Yi names the yeti “Everest” and promises to take him back to his home Mt. Everest. Her friends, Jin (Tenzing Norgay Trainor) and Peng (Albert Tsai), join Yi on her adventure to bring Everest back to his homeland while trying to escape from the clutches of Mr. Burnish and the evil zoologist, Dr. Zara (Sarah Paulson).

This film is a very well animated film. When Everst uses his powers or Yi plays her violin the animation becomes so beautiful that it is impossible to look away. The story line is lacking its luster. It is a very predictable film from the very beginning till the very end, spoon feeding the plot to the audience. The so called “plot twist” is obvious enough for the most oblivious person to see it coming. The acting in the film is very well done with Nai Nai stealing the spotlight with her comedic jokes and timing. The film attempts to make a comment on society with Jin’s character being obsessed with his looks, his clothes, and his social media followers, but falls short in the attempt to comment on how social media is becoming an obsession and results more ironic and comedic. The film has some very comedic moments that will make everybody laugh, especially Everst and Peng’s relationship. The two act like brothers and do all of the funny things that brothers would do together. The score and music throughout the film help set the mood for the location and plot. There are some very powerful symbols throughout the film that will encourage people to continue pursuing their dreams no matter what. “Abominable” does provide a powerful message about no matter where you go or what you do, you have a family that cares for you whether it be an actual family or friends.

Overall, “Abominable” is a cute children’s movie that was hyped up too much for me to fall in love with the movie. They advertised that it was made by the creators of “How to Train Your Dragon”, but it does not live up to the level that the dragon’s trilogy had established. The iconic song from the trailer “You Can Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac was never in the film which was a let down. The film does what it is supposed to do by entertaining the audience from beginning to end, but doesn’t explore or push the boundaries of animation. This is a Redbox, nothing else to do, type movie. It is a good film that seemed to hype itself up to a mark it failed to hit. I enjoyed the film very much, but it is not going to be held to the status of other films Dreamworks has created such as “Kung Fu Panda” and “How to Train Your Dragon”. I give this film 3 out of 5 film reels.