Rating for the film Leo: 2/5
The following actors and actresses are in the cast: Adam Sandler as Leo; Bill Burr as Squirtle; Cecily Strong as Mrs. Malkin; Jason Alexander as Jayda’s father; Rob Schneider as Principal; Sadie Sandler as Jayda; Sunny Sandler as Summer; Jackie Sandler as Jayda’s mother; Heidi Gardner as Eli’s mother; Nick Swardson as Bunny; Nicholas Turturro as Anthony’s father; Robert Smigel as Miniature Horse; Jo Koy as Coach Komura [voice] Voices of Skyler’s mother, Stephanie Hsu, and Ace, Kevin James
Directors: David Wachtenheim, Robert Marianetti, and Robert Smigel
Goodness: Its greatest accomplishment is to pass the time without leaving you feeling deeply regretful.
The bad: It bewilders everyone and is confusing!
Rest Stop: You know what you’re getting into, so not really.
Do You Watch or Do You Not? Only if you watch something merely to watch it.
Language: English
Accessible through: theatrical distribution
1 hour 42 minutes of running time
Adam Sandler portrays Leo, a 74-year-old lizard who is experiencing an existential crisis regarding his final year of life after learning that reptiles of his kind live for 75 years. Sitting in a class 5th tank, he enjoys a comfortable conversation with Bill Burr’s voice of Turtle the Squirtle, who has been changing every year since 1949.
The authoritarian octogenarian Ms. Malkin, played by Cecily Strong, takes over as the class teacher. She is exactly like every rigid old-timers teacher one could imagine. Every week, Leo is allowed to accompany a new student home for “pet caring” lessons, during which he mentors them and teaches them valuable life lessons about overcoming fear, insecurity, and other obstacles.
Review of the film Leo: A Script Analysis
The “Adam Sandler Lizard Film,” which has been in discussions since 2016, has finally been released, but it’s not quite the ideal blend of young adult comedic drama I had hoped for. I understand I’m not the intended audience. Even so, if I attempted to comprehend this from the viewpoint of a 5-year-old, I would never understand the death jokes, such as “Mummy’s gonna be gone someday,” the awkward character references to Mr. Skin or the ridicule of a teacher who is expecting a child.
That got me thinking: what age demographic is this movie even aimed at? It appears to be for children at first because of its cartoonish treatment, but then it abruptly changes into a musical in the middle, giving the impression that it is meant for teenagers. The adult jokes in between, however, aren’t directed at anyone younger than 13, at least. Adam himself, who would he want to use this against? It has its moments, but as previously indicated, those will be savored by different individuals in disparate age groups.
Review of Leo: A Standout Performance
To give the 74-year-old lizard an endearing likeability, Adam Sandler continues to capitalize on his dramatic baritone voice and babbling in his SNL sketches as Leo. His amusing performance as Leo suggests that he had a great time voicing the character.
Although Bill Burr’s portrayal of Squirtle is about average, it falls short of his potential due to subpar writing. Since Leo is the main character, Squirtle is given less screen time than she should have in a better movie.
Review of Leo: Direction, Score
Writers Adam Sandler, Paul Sado, and Robert Smigel jumbled up the scripts, which caused problems for directors Robert Smigel, Robert Marianetti, and David Wachtenheim. It veers between being a Pixar and a Disney movie, never really defining its principles or voice.
The music of Geoff Zanelli is awful! I apologize to the kids; I don’t know how to say this, but it’s terrible. The movie’s musical section is its weakest point, and it could have been greatly improved for the benefit of the whole work. Recall how incredible Coco had made that happen.
Leo Movie Review: The Final Word
All in all, I won’t ask my teenage cousin to add this to her list or recommend it to fifth graders; the only audience for which I have any use for this is stoners who want to watch anything after losing all sense of reality.