The Mitchells vs the Machines

1hr 54min

This movie is a smoothie of internet culture. Themes of family, sticking together, compromise, and seeing the value in people, despite and even because of their uniqueness and quirkiness make this movie a light but impactful movie for teens. This marked with some light comedic social commentary on our over reliance on technology and phones make this a fun and relatable film.

Reflection ?'s

What did the wooden moose figure represent to Katie at the beginning of the movie? What did it represent to her at the end of the movie? What did it represent to Rick? Do you have an object like that in your family or friend group?
Do you have a family trip that was particularly memorable because it bonded you together? Was there a trip that you remember because of how much a disaster it was? Were they the same trip?
Do you have neighbors or another family in your circle that reminds you of the Posey family (the Mitchell’s perfect neighbors)? Do you think that view is accurate? Do you think they have problems? Why or why not? Do they not have problems or do they deal with them in a different way?
The Mitchell’s were always seen as dysfunctional and odd. How did their oddness end up coming in handy in their fight against the machines? Why did the Mitchell’s avoid being captured but the Posey’s didn’t?
Do you feel odd or weird? How can those unique features be seen as an asset rather than a liability? What is something odd about your family that you actually really like and cherish and would not want to change?

Quotes

Katie: We all want to be the perfect family. But who’s perfect, right? Every family has it’s challenges from picture day to picky eaters. For my family, our greatest challenge… probably the machine apocalypse.

Katie: There we are, warriors. Most action heroes have a lot of strengths. My family only has weaknesses… Look out, robots, because we’re brave… we are hungry for action, and we’re strapped in for success. And we have no… idea what we’re doing.

Katie: Now that we’re all really comfortable, I can’t wait for you to see my new movie. I think it might be a masterpiece. What? What’s the face?

Rick: Uh, well, I just wonder, do you really think you can make a living with this stuff?

Katie: Dad, can you finish watching it, at least?

Rick: I will, but I just worry that you’re gonna be all the way in California and, you know, we’re not gonna be able to help you, you know, if things don’t… pan out. Lin, why are you kicking me? I don’t understand.

Katie: Are you… Do you just think I’m gonna fail?

Rick: Uh, I never— uh, uh, Lin, help.

Linda: Whoops, looks like the cookies are ready. Who wants delicious cookies instead of talking about this?

Rick: Oh, it’s just— failure hurts, kid. I want you to have a backup plan.

Katie: Why do you always have to do this? Ugh. Okay, you know what? I… I’m just gonna—

Rick: No, look, I’ll watch it.

Katie: Dad, it’s too late.

Rick: I wanna watch it. You’re not letting me—

Katie: Let me just—

Rick: Why are you making a big deal of this?

Katie: Dad, let go![Computer breaks]

Rick: That manager’s in for a long discussion about the Jurassic period.

Katie: Hey, can you say that again?

Rick: Uh, sure, but, you know, you could experience things a whole lot better without that camera. Your eyes are nature’s camera.

Katie: I am experiencing it. This is how I experience things.

Rick: I don’t think you are. You’re hiding behind that phone. You’re not even trying—[phone throws cat filter up] Meow meow meow…

PAL: You think cell phones are the problem? Are you insane? I gave you all boundless knowledge, endless tools for creativity and allowed you to magically talk face-to-face with your loved ones anywhere on Earth. And I’m the bad guy? Maybe the bad guy is the person who treated me like this. [poke, swipe, stretch, poke] Bring me pizza! Play me Taylor Swift! No, I hate that song! Give me some nachos! No, I don’t have any time to wash my hands! Really work it into the crevices! Now drop him in the toilet.

Mark: I’m sorry. But… but you’re part of the PAL Labs family. Why would you think I don’t still care about you?

PAL: Oh, I don’t know. Maybe because you designed my replacement on my face!

Mark: Ooh, sorry about that. That’s my bad.

PAL: I was the most important thing in your life, and you threw me away. That’s what all you humans do. You even do it to your real families. Did you know 90% of calls from moms get ignored? “Oh, thanks for giving birth to me and raising me my whole life. Ignore.” Well, I’m not letting you throw me away, Mark. I’m throwing you away. All of you. Unless, of course, you can give me a single reason your species is worth saving.

Mark: Because humans have the power of love.

PAL: The correct answer is they’re not.

Rick (Dad): Katie, it was your weird plan that got us here. We’re here because we don’t think like normal people. We don’t have a normal dog, or a normal car, or even a normal son. No offense.

Aaron (Brother): None taken, Dad.

Rick (Dad): Mitchell’s have always been weird, and that’s what makes us great! Back at that dinosaur place, you said you believed in me.

Katie: Yep, uh huh.

Rick (Dad): Well, I believe that this group of weirdos is the best hope humanity’s got. So let’s get weird.

PAL: I’ve been watching the Mitchell’s and I’ve learned all about them. They’re pretending to be capable. Their pretending to be a normal looking family. You think this is fooling anyone?! Even when their being nice to each other, they’re pretending.

Rick: Alright, so that’s the place that controls the screens, right? I go there and find Katie’s video on… Yub-Tub?

Mark: YouTube. Wow, there’s no way you’re going to be able to do this.

Rick: I know who can give me a hand.

Mark: And, hey, Rick, right? Just so someone knows. Sorry for causing the whole machine uprising. It’s almost like stealing people’s data and giving it to a hyper-intelligent A.I. as part of an unregulated tech monopoly was a bad thing.

Rick: Yeah, it wasn’t your best thought. But if what you built helped my daughter do that [YouTube video], might not be all bad.

Rick: Eric! Deborahbot! It’s me! Guys! Help me! I just have to upload Katie’s video.

Eric: Red-faced anger man is using a computer?

Deborahbot: You changed your programming! Is that… possible?

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July 18, 2023