At a time when animation is having something of a moment in theaters, with two new movies —Inside Out 2andDespicable Me 4— delivering a combined global haul of over $2.5 billion, whilea 15-year-old cult hitsmashes past all expectations in its re-release, it’s worth uncovering a hidden gem that slipped under the radar only a few years ago.Marcel the Shell with Shoes On, a live-action/animated comedy-drama directed byDean Fleischer Campin his debut, will be available to stream on Max this month.
Released theatrically in 2022, the movie followed the whimsical adventures of the titular anthropomorphic shell, voiced byJenny Slate. The rather lonely Marcel makes himself known to a human named Dean, who helps him reconnect with his lost family through a series of home movies that garner massive attention and earn him millions of fans. The wholesome movie deals with themes of belonging, community, and grief, andopened to widespread critical acclaim.Marcel the Shell with Shoes Onearned an Academy Award nomination in the Best Animated Feature category, where it incidentally lost to another stop-motion film,Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio.
It also won the National Board of Review’s Best Animated Feature honor, in addition to winning an Annie award in the Best Animated Feature - Independent category. The movie holds a near-perfect 98% approval rating on the aggregator websiteRotten Tomatoes, and has also been deemed worthy of RT’s newly announced “verified hot” badge, on the strength of its 90% audience score. The site’s consensus reads, “Poignant, profound, and utterly heartwarming,Marcel the Shell with Shoes Onis animated entertainment with real heart.”In his review, Collider’sRoss Bonaimewrote, “Marcel’s constant exploration of the world around him and the joy with which he views the world is contagious, and it’s near-impossible to walk out of the theater without a smile on your face, having spent time with one of the most endearing film characters in recent years.”
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Marcel, the character, debuted in a series of shorts directed by Fleischer Camp in 2010. Released by the hip indie outfit A24, the movie made just over $7 million worldwide in its box office run.Marcel the Shell with Shoes Onalso featured the legendaryIsabella Rosselliniin a voice performance as Marcel’s grandmother, withRosa SalazarandThomas Mannappearing in live-action roles. You can watch the film on Max next month, and stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
