Quartile rating: 7.5/10 · 1 rating
Jaded 74-year-old reptile Leo has been stuck in the same Florida classroom for decades with his terrarium-mate turtle. When he learns he only has one year left to live, he plans to escape to experience life on the outside but instead gets caught up in the problems of his anxious students — including an impossibly mean substitute teacher.
Leo is a charming Netflix animated musical comedy with a genuinely clever premise — a jaded elderly lizard offering life advice to anxious kids — that gives it more heart and wit than typical family fare. Adam Sandler's voice performance carries the film with unexpected warmth and comedic timing. The animation is competent but unremarkable 3D work, not visually distinctive enough to stand out. The plot follows a fairly predictable arc of self-discovery and connection, hitting familiar beats despite the fun framing device. The musical numbers are catchy and occasionally inspired. The ending ties things up satisfyingly but conventionally. Overall a pleasant surprise that slightly overperforms its premise without transcending it.