By Renata Hill, Moodfuel
He's not just animated, Marcel brings resilience to life
On the surface "Marcel the Shell with Shoes On" is a charming, live- and stop-motion mockumentary about a determined 1-inch shell who ekes out a colorful existence with his grandmother, Nana Connie, and their pet lint, Alan. They are the survivors of a mysterious tragedy when a guy, who happens to be a director, rents the AirBnb where they live. Yet, experiencing this 1hr 30min feature reveals a deeply heartfelt, profoundly moving story about courage and connection.
Creators Dean Fleischer Camp and Jenny Slate built Marcel's world in bursts over 12 years on YouTube. The tens of millions of views garnered enough street cred for them and the team at A24 Studios to create a full-length feature that premiered in 2021. That's right, Marcel's movie isn't new, but it's so captivating to adults and children, it's worth watching repeatedly - quite an accomplishment for a non-Disney production.
Overall, this movie is rated #HighlyRecommend because its message of hope is always needed. Besides, who can resist Lesley Stahl playing herself interviewing a tiny shell? Settle into a comfy chair with some popcorn and get ready to laugh and be inspired.
