User Reviews

[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]

Playfully devious, and nothing if iconic, cartoonist Charles Addams’s eccentric characters are done justice on the big screen. First appearing in The New Yorker as a 1932 series of standalone comics, the family of outcasts drew keen attention, enough to attract numerous sitcom offers, eventually resulting in two seasons on ABC. This nineties film revival of the franchise magnifies the Addams’ upbeat whit, magic and **** Addams Family screenplay, by Caroline Thompson and Larry Wilson, is precise and unrelenting, making it clear to the viewer: this is no ordinary household. The Addams toy with death, and, as if by some unwritten, blessed inheritance, never face the consequences. They savor the macabre as much as they’re denied it, and to entreat the family requires the brave or foolhardy to embrace their peculiar spirit, or suffer the consequences. The brilliance of this film is in its resolute pace: keeping the action going while delivering the plot, causing the engaged viewer to struggle to capture everything at once.Before becoming a big Hollywood producer, Barry Sonnenfeld was an up and coming cinematographer; most notably on the movie When Harry Met Sally… The Addams film was his directorial debut. Directing is a position of incredible requirement and constant supervision, and these demands undermined Sonnenfeld’s health and sanity, resulting in production wide unhappiness, delays and increased expenses. Orion Pictures’ financial straits eventually led them to sell the national rights to Paramount Pictures even before the movie’s release!Despite these issues, The Addams Family went on the become a big box office success, earning $191.5 million compared to its $30 million budget. Funny how the constant rewrites, reshoots and meticulous editing (those aspects which frustrate Hollywood) can end up forging a timeless classic. Make no mistake: Sonnenfeld’s dedication to excellence is what makes his films enjoyable. It’s a responsibility that’s shared among cast and crew, and is vital to foster in today’s film industry.Make no mistake: comedy is the toughest of all the arts. What’s funny to one person can be offensive to another. It’s rare for a movie to make me laugh and The Addams Family had me chuckling almost all the way thru! The Mamushka dance scene, originally six minutes long, is an excellent example of proper editing and had to be cut down to two minutes for relevance.Speaking of having fun and being involved, The Addams Family showcases excellence in acting! The late Raul Julia (God rest his kind soul) was said to have deeply loved the role of Gomez, and his spirited performance proves it. Just look at him! He’s completely immersed! Notice how Christopher Lloyd pauses before taking action. This is the sign of a consummate professional: he’s considering the moment before moving forward. And, of course, Anjelica Huston’s portrayal of Morticia is both flawless and timeless. The costume she wore was said to have been painful, and yet she wore it everyday.Nightmarish the most whimsical way, the Addams Family is an American film classic. It has all the hallmarks of flawless cinema, where cinematography is crisp, the pace is resolute, the narrative is captivating and performances are impeccable. Charles Addams’ singular vision is exceedingly unique, and yet easily relatable to people of all ages.(I give The Addams Family a 10 out of 10 for excellence in comedy, performance and overall delivery!)

The Addams Family is one that has hilarious moments as I did laugh a few times as I felt that it is what it wanted to be noticed for! (The hilarious moments).

It's decent masterwork

I love this movie. Casting was spot on and it's funny. Raul Julia played Gomez better than anyone else ever has.

Good. .

Well, it's very fun to watch, if you're into this kind of humour. The movie doesn't take itself very seriously as well, so you can't really expect some deep story or something. Probably not a movie for everyone, especially because it screams 90s, but it's fun if you're into it.

Well, I finally managed to write a review on this, and I have to say, I like this a lot. I do think Values is marginally better, but both are solid entertainment, two good examples of films, driven by character not plot(though there was a very good one in both films). Like Values, the rating is too low, why? My only criticism, is that I don't like the rap song over the end credits at all. Apart from that, it had spirited direction, great incidental music, great performances, and a gem of a black humour filled script. The plot is simple but grabs the attention of adults, as young children might not understand it. The script is witty, dark and very funny, something that Reunion forgot to add to the proceedings. Barry Sonnenfield directs with spirit and enthusiasm, but it's the performances that I was most impressed with. Raul Julia and Angelica Huston were perfect as Gomez and Morticia, and I was sure that Tim Curry and Daryl Hannah would have been, had they a half-decent script and director to work with.(alas!) Christopher Lloyd was great fun as Fester, but the performance of Christina Ricci steals the film. Everyone else deserves a mention. In conclusion, a well-done and inventive film, with a 9/10 from me! Bethany Cox

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The idea was to make an adaptation as faithful to the classic comic strip, with its characteristic black humor, and the effort is noticeable by the performances and the makeup of the characters. The result is dry fun but at times it gives the impression that the director pretended to be to play Tim Burton, and that takes away a bit of substance.

an entertaining movie for the masses, so I dont like it. The plot is simple, the humour also. Yes, the costumes and make up are interesting.

When a man claiming to be Gomez Addams' missing brother Fester arrives at the Addams' home, the family is thrilled. But is he actually who he claims to be? Based on the cartoon and 60’s TV show The Addams Family is a decent enough movie full of the type of dark humour you’d expect, but possibly due to it’s troubled development, it’s never quite able to completely fulfil it’s potential.

A milestone in black humor. Finally a movie with the Addams Family! I have always been a fan of this family. I saw some episodes of the original series, even though I never saw it all, nor am I old enough to have seen it on TV. They are adorable in their way of being out of the ordinary. And the film is very true to its essence. I think the film will please adults and young people a little. By its nature, I believe it is not suitable for children, but young people over 12 years old will perfectly adhere to the film. The script is good and gives the Addams all the space to show everything they are and delight us with their unusual and Gothic style. The film is loaded with well-known actors and they all did a good job thanks to Barry Sonnenfeld's excellent direction. Raul Julia and Angelica Huston shone in the role of Gomez and Morticia, and Christopher Lloyd proved to be great in the role of the hysterical and strange Fester Addams. Dan Hedaya was a pleasant presence and knew how to make a good villain, and it was nice to see Carol Kane. But it is undoubtedly Christina Ricci that stands out, as the sadistic Wednesday Addams. Excellent scenarios and tetrical costumes make up a visually striking film, full of good points and that helps make the Addams a milestone in black humor.

An excellent adaptation of Charles Addams fantastic comic, The Addams Family is in my opinion on the same level as Die Hard as one of the greatest Christmas movies ever made.

Loved it. Actors are perfect, atmosphere was great and the story was fun and engaging.