Die Addams Family

Very nice, but I liked the sequel a tiny bit more. Little Ricci is brilliant. (19.05.2010)

The Addams Family shows the better side of the American studio system, i.e., the ability to gather and utilize a sufficiently large budget to create an alternative fairy tale world filled with bizarre props, fantastic sets, and audience-pleasing gimmicks. At the same time, also the ability to attract notable actors and make a film without compromises - by that, I mean compromises that would arise from limited technical resources. Unlike many others, this film has not noticeably aged, even though it is evident that the producer aimed at a family audience, so it simply isn't as provocative, sarcastic, and darkly humorous as it could have been if it didn't take into account the child audience. But that is naturally my problem, as I am no longer a child or a teenager. From my perspective, it's definitely not a perfect 4-star movie but this time I will round up in a positive direction because children's eyes would definitely see it differently. Overall impression: 70%. (07.09.2014)

The embalmers who mummified this wonderful comedy in 1991 must have been masters, it hasn't aged a second. And the cadence of simply irresistible jokes! (20.06.2015)

This is a really weird family that I wouldn't want as neighbours. Raul Julia in a role of a lifetime, Anjelica Huston perfect as always, Christopher Lloyd endearingly shy and stiff, and the severed hand clearly the best character a director could ask for in a supporting role. Barry Sonnenfeld added a nice morbid touch, but there was nothing he could do wrong here. 80% (26.11.2012)

Ich habe die Originalserie aus den 60er und 70er Jahren nie gesehen, also fangen die Geschichten der Addams Family für mich erst mit diesem Film an. Ich mochte schon immer schwarzen (fast schon morbiden) Humor, und so genoss ich die geballte Ladung (mehr oder weniger) "verdrehter" Szenen, die Die Addams Family zu bieten hat. Der große Erfolg des Films liegt auch in der punktgenauen Besetzung, in der alle Schauspieler perfekt zu ihren Rollen passten, und ich würde besonders die kleine Christina Ricci, die charmante Anjelica Houston und den albernen Christopher Lloyd hervorheben. Nicht zuletzt muss ich die wunderschöne Ausstattung und die Kostüme loben. (05.09.2022)

I can really dig this. For an American family comedy, there are a lot of good jokes, most of them as black as Anjelica Huston's hair. Christina Ricci's best role ("are those cookies made from real Girl Scouts?"). Some of the scenes are just gems (the party, the children's pageant, The Thing, the Nicknack security guard or whatever). And throughout, one is never once overwhelmed by the sense of awkwardness that is so prevalent in contemporary comedies. Barry Sonnenfeld succeeds as a debutant. The direction is brisk and clever. If I wanted to piss anyone off, I'd say this film has nothing to be ashamed of next to Burton's masterpieces. (11.05.2008)