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Abominable Just Might Surprise You

Abominable is one of those movies that looked cute at first glance. Everest, the titular Yeti, looked custom-designed to sell plush toys. And that is pretty much all I expected. Cute toys, entertained kids, not much else. The fact that I actually enjoyed Abominable was a pleasant surprise.

Yi (Chloe Bennet) is a hardworking misfit, struggling at multiple jobs. She’s trying to save enough money to travel throughout China, the dream she shared with her late father. When she discovers a Yeti on her roof, she sets off with neighbors Jin (Tenzing Norgay Trainor) and Peng (Albert Tsai) to return him to the Himalayas. Along the way they need to stay one step ahead of Burnish, the man who originally captured the Yeti, and Dr. Zara, the zoologist assisting him.

(from left) – Jin (Tenzing Norgay Trainor), Peng (Albert Tsai) and Yi (Chloe Bennet) with the Yeti, Everest, in DreamWorks Animation and Pearl Studio’s Abominable, written and directed by Jill Culton.

Where Abominable won’t surprise you is in the story. It’s your standard hero’s journey, and that’s OK. Wheels don’t always require reinvention. We also don’t learn too much about any of the characters beyond Yi, which is a shame.

Where Abominable excels is in the animation. The journey through the different landscapes of China is gorgeous. There are also some truly heartwarming scenes. I might have had a tear in my eye at the Buddah.

The film does have some pretty heavy themes, including dealing with the loss of a parent. There’s also a mildly scary scene in the third act that might be too intense for the very young.

While Abominable might be a little predictable, it’s a beautiful and touching film that isn’t just for kids. You might be surprised by just how much you enjoy it.

About Abominable

When mischievous friends Yi (Chloe Bennet), Jin, and Peng discover a young yeti on their roof, they name him Everest and embark on a thrilling adventure to reunite the magical creature with his family. On the journey of their lifetimes, Everest helps Yi, Jin, and Peng unlock an inner bravery they didn’t know they had. And as they travel across China to return the magical creature to his home, Everest will help them discover where they truly belong, too.

As The Bunny Hops®