The Addams Family (2019) The latest movie based on the cartoon strip by Charles Addams. An entirely new production, unrelated to the 1960's tv series, any of the animated series or the 1990's films. Certainly this is an interesting take. However, it falls down in serveral areas, most especially the runtime. 90 minutes wasn't enough for all the characters to be developed, nor for plotlines to be fully filled out. More on that below. The film starts with a young Morticia getting ready to marry Gomez. The sequence in which they get married and then have to defend themselves against a mob was well done. It certainly set up certain aspects of the plot, that the Addams are persecuted by others who misunderstand their culture (and don't want to). They then go to New Jersey, where they find a house in an abandoned asylum. The characterisation of Gomez as he tries to ensure Pugsley would pass the Mazurka, was done very well. The fear that he hasn't been a good father who hadn't been able to bring Pugsley up in the family traditions was well presented. Morticia and her concerns about Wednesday drifting away were also quite well presented. (Conversations with dead parents via séance aside. Technically well presented, I'm not sure it was necessary.) Pugsley is introduced as being as interested in the macabre as the rest of his family, but he has more of an interest in explosives than in swordplay. His fear about not passing the Mazurka, and letting his father down, is quite well realised. However, his explosives interest would result in an interesting conclusion during the climax, when the house is attacked while the family is gathered there for the Mazurka. See below. Wednesday has her own arc within the film, when she discovers the outside world and wants to explore it by going to school. She torments Pugsley but is still otherwise affectionate towards him. (In her own way.) She also stirrs Morticia by pretending to be influenced by the outside world. Part of this is her friendship with Parker, who she encourages to break free from her mother's insistence that she be normal. She also is able to humilate Bethany, a 'mean girl' at the Middle School. Of course, every tale has some kind of antagonist, and so Margaux, Parker's mother, is that antagonist. A home makover producer who has built the community that has arisen near the Addam's house, she is shocked when she sees that house on the hill and sees property values dropping. Her characterisation leaves some things to be desired (that lack of runtime again), but it is effective enough. The fact that she manages to turn the community against the Addams' by the use of social media is certainly topical. (But it would raise some in-universe questions. Why would there be a torch app?) The rest of the Addams' family. Not much to say. Fester's characterisation is much like in the 60's series. More macabre and kooky than Gomez, but plays well off him. (Not sure about him ending up with Margaux though). Thing and Cousin IT both appear. Thing goes to the house with Gomez and Morticia in the beginning, but not much is developed. Cousin IT is presented much the same ways as in previous appearances. (Interesting car though.) Grandmama's sister as a matriarch was an effective role. The various plot-threads come together effectively. Margaux and her mob attacks the house at the conclusion of the Mazurka. Pugsley is able to defend the family by blowing up the demolition rocks. Wednesday and Parker are able to help save the day by rescuing the family from the collapsing house, and revealing that Margaux had been spying on everyone. Overall, it is an interesting story, but it is let down by it's run time, with not all the plot-threads and themes not able to be developed. 7.25/10.
As far as playing the character of Gomez, Raul Julia can't be beat. As far as looking like the Addams cartoons, that prize goes to Tim Curry. He and Daryl Hannah made quite the pair.
Nobody can do the crazy Gomez like him: https://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/arts/bs-ae-addams-family-astin-20120309-story.html