Quartile rating: 6.5/10 · 1 rating
A young boy and his dog, who happens to have a genius-level IQ, spring into action when their time-machine is stolen and moments in history begin to be changed.
Mr. Peabody & Sherman is a competent, likable animated adventure that faithfully expands the classic cartoon segments into a feature. The time-travel plot is serviceable and peppered with clever historical gags, but it follows a fairly predictable family-film structure with the obligatory emotional reconciliation arc. The voice cast (Ty Burrell, Max Charles) is solid without being remarkable. Visually it's polished DreamWorks 3D animation — bright and kinetic but not cinematographically distinctive compared to peers. Novelty is low since the concept is lifted directly from the 1960s Jay Ward cartoon and the story beats (adoptive-parent love tested, kid learns to accept help) are well-worn. The ending, while heartfelt, leans on time-paradox convenience and an overly tidy resolution that deflates dramatic stakes. A pleasant, above-average kids' film that doesn't quite transcend its source or genre.