Leo is an animated musical comedy following Leo, a jaded 74 year old lizard and class pet. Leo and his terrarium-mate,a cynical turtle named squirtle, have lived in a Florida elementary school classroom for decades. When their pregnant teacher takes a maternity leave, a notoriously mean substitute, Ms Mallon, takes over. To teach the kids “responsibility”, she mandates that different students take a class pet home each weekend.
Knowing that the natural lifespan of a lizard is 75 years, Leo realizes he only has one year left to live and is desperate to escape to the outside world. He plans to use his weekend visits to the kids’ homes as a springboard to run away.
Read also: KLAUS ; ANIMATED MOVIE REVIEW
Breaking the golden rule of animals, Leo starts talking to the students. Instead of running away, he gets drawn into their personal struggles, from overbearing parents and social anxiety to a lack of emotional regulation. He acts as an empathetic life coach helping each child navigate their childhood problems.
Jealous of the attention Leo is giving the kids. Squirrel reveals to the entire class that Lei speaks to every student. Feeling betrayed and like none of them are truly “special” to the lizard, the students reject him. Ms Mallon takes Leo home after discovering his secret. Leo discovers that she has always been bitter because she never achieved her dream of becoming a permanent teacher.
Read also: MARY AND MAX; ANIMATED MOVIE REVIEW
However Leo is temporarily kidnapped by the school’s meanest kids, the entire fifth-grade band together to rescue him.
Leo shows that having a listening ear is the most important thing. Also time is better spent helping and mentoring children than living alone in the wild.
Directed by: Robert Marianetti
Cast: Adam Sandler, Bill Burr, Cecily Strong, Jason Alexander, Rob Schneider
Running time: 102 minutes
Watch movie trailer here:
