finally got around to watching Abominable, the 2019 animated film from DreamWorks and China’s Pearl Studio, and I have to say — it’s a sweet little movie. Nothing groundbreaking, but it hits the right emotional notes and delivers a genuinely heartwarming story.
The movie follows Yi, a teenage girl living in Shanghai who’s still grieving the loss of her father. One night, she finds a young Yeti hiding out on her rooftop. Naming him Everest, Yi sets off on an adventure with her neighbors Jin and Peng to return him to his home on Mount Everest — all while being chased by a wealthy collector and a zoologist who’s not as friendly as she first seems.
What really stands out is the animation. The visuals are stunning, especially the sweeping shots of China’s landscapes — the mountains, the rivers, the flowers. There are a few magical moments (thanks to Everest’s music-based powers) that are just plain beautiful. It’s clear the animators poured a lot of love into the look and feel of this movie.
There’s also a strong emotional core. Yi’s grief and her determination to fulfill her dad’s dream of traveling really anchor the story. You can tell the filmmakers were trying to say something about loss, healing, and moving forward — and they mostly succeed without overdoing it.
That said, the story is pretty predictable. If you’ve seen any family adventure movie before, you’ll know exactly where this is going. The villains are cartoonishly evil, and some of the humor falls a little flat — mostly geared toward younger kids, which is fine, but as an adult, I found myself eye-rolling once or twice.
Still, Abominable has heart. It’s a movie that feels earnest, with just enough magic and emotion to make it worth watching. If you’ve got kids, they’ll love it. If you’re a fan of animated films, it might not blow you away, but it’s definitely a pleasant ride.
Verdict: Not a classic, but a warm, visually rich family film with a good message and some memorable moments.