Leo

Full Movie Synopsis Leo (2023)

Background

Leo is an American animated musical comedy film released on November 21, 2023 on the Netflix streaming platform. Film ini disutradarai oleh Robert Marianetti, Robert Smigel, dan David Wachtenheim, dengan naskah yang ditulis oleh Smigel, Adam Sandler, dan Paul Sado. Diproduksi oleh Happy Madison Productions milik Adam Sandler, film ini menampilkan Sandler sebagai pengisi suara karakter utama, Leo, bersama dengan Bill Burr, Cecily Strong, dan deretan aktor terkenal lainnya seperti Jason Alexander, Rob Schneider, serta anak-anak Sandler, Sadie dan Sunny Sandler. The heartwarming family comedy genre, Leo the emotional adventures of a tuatara (old lizard) trying to find the meaning of his life while helping pre-teens face the challenges of their transition period. The Film combines humor, catchy songs, and a moral message about friendship, change, and the importance of supporting each other.

Storyline

Beginning: Leo's monotonous life in the classroom

The story begins at a Fort Myers, Florida elementary school, where Leo (voiced by Adam Sandler), a 74-year-old tuatara, has spent decades as a fifth-grade PET. With his best friend Squirtle (Bill Burr), a Florida tortoise, Leo lives in a glass terrarium, watching generations of students come and go. Their life is routine and monotonous, filled with conversations about the behavior of the children they observe every day. Leo, named after Leonardo of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, has a warm and thoughtful personality, while Squirtle is more cynical and critical. Despite their close friendship, Leo begins to feel bored with his routine and reflect on what he has missed in life.

The crisis arises when Leo hears that the tuatara usually only lives to be 75 years old, making him realize that he only has one year left. This awareness triggers a strong desire to escape the terrarium and see the outside world before it's too late. He invites Squirtle to join him, but Squirtle initially hesitates, feeling comfortable with the safety of their terrarium. After persuasion and lengthy discussion, Squirtle finally agrees, and they plan an escape.

Adventures outside the terrarium

However, before their escape plan is implemented, Leo's life takes a turn for the worse when a strict substitute teacher, Ms. Malkin (Cecily Strong), mengambil alih kelas. Ms. Malkin introduced a new assignment: every weekend, a student must bring home a class pet to care for. Leo becomes the first chosen one, and his adventure begins when he is taken home by Summer, a very chatty girl and difficult to establish relationships with his peers.

While trying to escape Summer's House, Leo accidentally reveals that he can speak. Surprised but enthusiastic, Summer listens to Leo's advice to ask more questions in conversation to please her friends. This advice worked, and Summer became more popular at school. Leo asks Summer to keep her speaking skills a secret, and from that moment on, she begins to help each student who takes her home, one by one, with their personal problems.

Helping Pre-Teen Children

Each weekend, Leo is taken home by a different student, each with unique challenges that reflect the pre-teen transition period:

• Eli, who struggles with a sense of insecurity.
• Jayda, the son of a wealthy dermatologist (Jason Alexander) who feels pressured by parental expectations.
• Cole and Cole, two boys with the same name who often quarreled.
• Skylerchildren, who face physical and emotional changes.
• Logan, Mia, Kabir, TJ, Zane, dan Anthony, each with problems such as social anxiety, academic pressure, or conflicts with friends.

With the wisdom gained from his decades of experience observing children, Leo gives sincere and practical advice. It helps them overcome fears, build confidence, and deal with the changes that come with pre-teen age. However, Leo insisted that each student keep his or her ability to speak a secret, creating a unique secret bond with each child.

Conflict and betrayal

While Leo becomes more and more loved by the children, Squirtle begins to feel jealous because of the attention Leo receives. In a moment of frustration, Squirtle reveals Leo's secret to the whole class, making the children feel betrayed because Leo is not honest that he talks to everyone. The class's trust in Leo is shattered, and he feels isolated.

Ms. Malkin, who discovers that Leo can speak, takes him home. There, Leo learns that Ms. Malkin once dreamed of becoming a real teacher but failed, which made him bitter and harsh towards his students. With empathy, Leo tries to give him advice, encourage him to pursue his dreams and be softer towards children.

Climax: adventure in the Everglades

The crisis reaches a peak when the class wins a history competition and earns a trip to Magic Land Park. Ms. Malkin, wanting to take all the credit, leaves Leo in the swamps of the Everglades, lying to the children that Leo escaped. Squirtle, feeling guilty, uses Eli's drone to chase the school bus and uncover the truth. Children and Ms. Malkin hijacks the bus to save Leo.

In the Everglades, Leo meets a wild tuatara who tells him that he can live to be over 110 years old, reviving his spirit. However, he is soon threatened by a group of crocodiles. At the critical moment, children, Ms. Malkin, and Squirtle arrive to rescue him, showing that they have forgiven him and appreciate his presence.

The end: Lessons On change

On the last day of the school year, Leo returns to class and gives an emotional speech to the children, encouraging them to support each other as they enter high school. Ms. Malkin, inspired by Leo, is given a permanent job as a teacher by the principal (Rob Schneider) and assigned to teach kindergarten, with Leo and Squirtle as class pets. Life in the classroom is returning to normal, but with renewed vigor. Leo and Squirtle enjoy their days lovingly, surrounded by their dear children.

Theme and message

Leo explore themes such as acceptance of change, the importance of listening, and the power of friendship. The Film highlights the pre-adolescent transition period, in which children face physical, emotional, and social changes, and emphasizes that parents and friends can be important supports during this period. Through Leo's character, the film also conveys that dreams and passion for life are not limited by age, and that true happiness is found in relationships and shared memories of loved ones.

Cast and production

• Adam Sandler as Leo, a 74-year-old tuatara with a voice inspired by Sandler's former agent Bernie Brillstein.
• Bill Burr as Squirtle, a cynical yet loyal turtle.
• Cecily Strong as Ms. Malkin, a substitute teacher who is tough but has a soft side.
• Jason Alexander as Jayda's father, dermatologist rich.
• Rob Schneider as principal.
• Pemeran pendukung termasuk Sadie Sandler, Sunny Sandler, Jo Koy, Allison Strong, Heidi Gardner, dan Nick Swardson.

Film ini dianimasikan oleh Animal Logic milik Netflix Animation, dengan skor musik yang digubah oleh Geoff Zanelli. Its catchy musical songs add to the film's appeal to family audiences.

Reception

Leo it received generally positive reviews, with a score of 84% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 75 critical reviews, with an average of 6.6/10. The consensus is that slick animation, catchy songs, and strong voice acting help Leo balancing between satire and sweetness. Metacritic gives it a score of 65/100 based on 15 critics, indicating “generally positive”reviews.

Conclusion

Leo is a warm and entertaining animated film suitable for families, especially for children 7 years of age and older and their parents. With witty humor, deep messages, and likable characters, the film manages to capture the essence of pre-adolescence while reminding audiences of the importance of compassion and change. Leo's adventures are not only entertaining but also inspiring, making it the perfect viewing option for a family weekend.