Netflix has just released a new animated film, In Your Dreams, and fans are already drawing comparisons to early Pixar classics.
Available for streaming from today (14 November), the film is being hailed as the perfect family watch for the weekend, particularly for those with younger viewers in tow.
Finding a film that appeals to both children and adults can be a challenge, but according to fans, Netflix has hit the mark with this one.
In Your Dreams, as per the synopsis, is a comedic adventure featuring siblings Stevie and her younger brother Elliot who stumble upon a book about the Sandman, leading them on an extraordinary journey through their own dreams.
The siblings must navigate a sarcastic stuffed giraffe, zombie breakfast foods, and the queen of nightmares, all in the hopes of having the Sandman grant their ultimate wish – the perfect family.
The cast boasts Marvel’s Shang-Chi star Simu Liu as dad and Cristin Milioti, known for her roles in Black Mirror’s USS Callister episodes, The Penguin and Palm Springs, as Mom. Craig Robinson of The Office fame voices Baloney Tony, while British comedian Omid Djalili lends his voice to the Sandman, reports the Mirror.
The film is helmed by Alex Woo, who previously served as Story Artist and Story Lead across six Pixar productions before departing the studio to establish his own company.
Numerous viewers who have already seen the picture suggest they can detect his expertise from the studio behind Toy Story and Inside Out shining through.
Fortunately, this appears to be overwhelmingly positive.
In Your Dreams presently boasts an 86% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Reviews are largely favourable, with one enthusiast declaring: “Lots of heart and laughs. Wonderful story, looks beautiful, great songs.”
Another commented: “Loved this film! It’s funny, heartwarming, and adventurous. The story is touching and the song The Holding on and Letting go is beautiful! Def will be watching again and waiting for the soundtrack!”.
Meanwhile, another critique focused on drawing parallels with Pixar.
They remarked: “In Your Dreams feels like the best Pixar movie they never made. Given Woo’s history working at Pixar, there are a handful of elements baked into the DNA of In Your Dreams that evoke feelings of previous Pixar films, but this is a feature and not a bug.”
Echoing similar sentiments, another audience member stated: “Netflix’s new animated masterpiece out-Pixars Pixar,” They continued: “In Your Dreams is a gorgeously animated, emotionally grounded fantasy about siblings navigating the chaos of growing up and family drifting apart.
“With humour, heart, and a giraffe named Baloney Tony, it’s one of Netflix’s best original animated films yet – proof that the streaming giant can absolutely compete with Pixar when it’s firing on all cylinders.”
In Your Dreams is streaming on Netflix.
