Barry Sonnenfeld’s famous adaptation of the Charles Addams comic hasn’t aged particularly well, although it’s still a lot of fun. The sets and costume design are first-rate throughout, marking the movie with a distinct visual identity that’s downright Tim Burtonesque. However, it’s the casting that makes the movie work: Everyone is extraordinarily well-cast, in particular Raoul Julia and Anjelica Huston as Gomez and Morticia, and a star-making turn by a young Christina Ricci as Wednesday. The movie’s a bit too plot-heavy to be consistently fun, and there are scenes here and there that never quite register as well as they should, but it’s worth a shot thanks to the performances and art design, not to mention the legendary, effective music that’ll have even a curmudgeon snapping their fingers along.
Rating: ★★★★ (out of 5)
