Leo (2023)

Directed by Robert Marianetti, Robert Smigel, David Wachtenheim

Written by Robert Smigel, Adam Sandler, Paul Sado

Adam Sandler, Bill Burr, Cecily Strong, Jason Alexander, Rob Schneider, Allison Strong, Jo Koy.

In a Florida classroom sit two reptile friends, Leo the Lizzard (Sandler) and Squirtle the Turtle (Burr), who have been together for decades. When Leo hears that lizards live to 75, and works out he is 74 – he has an existential crisis to do something with his life and quickly!

When the classroom gets a new substitute teacher, the mean Ms Malkin (Strong), she orders one child every weekend to take care of one of the reptiles. Leo seeing this as an opportunity to escape, instead discovers the children he goes home with are struggling with personal issues, and decides to connect with them instead – and each one of them gets the shock of their lives when he talks to them.

Charming little film from Sandler’s Happy Maddison production company, has well written adult and children characters, and it brilliant at handling tough topics like anxiety, friendship groups and struggles of fitting in – from all personality types.

There is some impressive animation throughout, especially through some of the musical numbers, however some of these are a little forgettable for aduluts but the kids will likely love them.

The voice cast is mostly impressive, with the top performer going to Strong for playing the aged Ms Malkin brilliantly. Burr is just being Burr, and Sandler is putting on one of his 1990’s type voices (my first viewing I thought it was Teddy from Bob’s Burgers). It might be okay for kids, but for his millennial audience who grew up with him, it might sound a little grating.

At 102m it is a little long, and the third act drags a little, so little ones might get a little bit restless.

All in all, a very cute movie, with great messages to give to kids.

3.5/5