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Abominable
Animated Film
Voices of: Chloe Bennet, Tenzing Norgay Trainor, Albert Tsau, Eddie Izzard, Sarah Paulson, Michelle Wong and Tsai Chin
Director/Scriptwriter: Jill Culton
Composer: Rupert Gregson Williams
DreamWorks/Universal
Rating: PG
Running Length: 90 Minutes 

“Abominable” is an animated film about the adventures of a young Yeti (otherwise known as Abominable Snowman). This particular Yeti was captured and will be used for research (what else?) Since no one has seen a real Yeti up close, this one is particularly valuable. Meeting new friends, adventures in distant countries and chase scenes are all part of his story, and yes, the Yeti has a name, “Everest.” The graphics are wonderfully done, but it is the soundtrack by Rupert Gregson Williams that sets this film apart.  The young girl, Yi (voice of Chloe Bennet) plays the violin, quite well, we see. Her solo music is enchanting and set against the backdrop of the scenery.  Our “Abominable” is white, furry, lots of grinning teeth, a sense of humor, and huggable. 

The story begins with Yi living with her mother (voice of Michelle Wong) and grandmother (voice of Tsai Chin who steals her scenes). Yi’s friends include a tag-along boy, Peng (voice of Albert Tsai) and the boy Yi has a crush on, Jin (voice of Tenzing Norgay Trainor.) Yi has always wanted to travel and hopes to save money to visit Mt. Everest because her late father wanted to go there.  When Yi discovers a frightened Yeti on the roof of her apartment building, she and friends figure out just what he is, and where his home is (Mr. Everest, of course.) Getting there is the problem, such as how to get away from the grown-ups and the bad guys who want to recapture “Everest,” the name the kids give the Yeti. The head bad guy is Mr. Burnish (voice of Eddie Izzard) who wants to prove to the world that there is a Yeti, in a cage, of course.  His co-hort, Dr. Zara (voice of Sarah Paulson) makes bad guy Burnish look like a kitten. The chase begins out of the city, across countries and straight to the Himalayas. Well, not exactly straight, as bad guys pop up everywhere. 

Friendship, family and helping each other out is the main theme for children’s movies and this setting makes “Abominable” stand out. The grandmother is lovable and the bad guy is a woman, “Everest” is just plain cuddly and the kids get along in spite of their different personalities.  Yi is determined, Peng can be sidetracked by just about anything and Jin can’t stop preening in any mirror available. Chase scenes are exciting and some reveal secrets about the participants. 

The dialogue has side quips that are amusing, especially from Peng and Nai Nai, who would be everyone’s favorite grandmother. Music is seen as part of one’s life. Family doesn’t have to mean father, mother, children and in-laws, sometimes there are missing people, so friends take up the slack, and even animals can be family members, especially large, white, furry ones. “Abominable” is fun entertainment. Enjoy. 

Copyright 2019 Marie Asner