So the reviews are in for the Russo Brothers’ new big budget Netflix blockbuster and thus far, they are not great. It’s a 320 million dollar cautionary tale about the potential pitfalls and dangers of technology, staring two safe bets, as in the perpetually wise-cracking Chris Pratt and a generationally beloved (though overly made-up) Millie Bobby Brown. Also mixed in are a few prestige actors (Stanley Tucci, Giancarlo Esposito) and a gaggle of robot mascots voiced by more nostalgic safe bets (Woody Harrelson, Brian Cox) and newer safe bets (Jenny Slate, Anthony Mackie, Ke Huy Kwan), all of whom deliver. Harrelson’s Mr. Peanut even goes so far as to feel like a bizarro version of  Ned Beatty’s Lotso from Toy Story 3 (2010) leading a bizarro island of lost toys. And yes, it’s not perfect. It’s derivative for sure, but that itself doesn’t it make it bad. It’s actually not bad. It’s a family movie that, yes, is a mangle of stories and recycled ideas that the parents will be sure to recognize, but for the kids it’s simply a new sci-fi adventure and a top tier one at that. Aside from Brown who, although is obviously working hard to be a professional actor, is unbelievable throughout. However, she is not entirely to blame, the make-up department did her zero favours by styling her as some kind of grunge/glamazon that makes her look older than the teenage protagonist she supposed to be. But that aside, the cast comes through. Yes, Pratt is reaching a level of parody with the similarity of roles he takes on. But guess what? He is charismatic, and dare I say it, he’s well cast here. Most of the rag tag robots all serve the same wisecracking purpose, but it is what it is and the robots look fantastic. It’s a silly movie and there’s room for silly movies, especially a great-looking silly movie that oozes a valiant effort to entertain kids. Not to mention, it’s mostly devoid of the recent politicizing we have all been subject to these last few years. I believe a lot of the hate comes from the film’s price tag, and no, it’s probably not worth the premium cost, but that’s Netflix’s gamble now. And it’s currently its number one movie. So grab the fam, cuddle up and watch a movie that is bound to be at least a little entertaining to everybody. And that’s something.