Sneaks Review: Wacky Talking Shoes Lose Their Sole in This Chaotic CGI Adventure

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In the colorful, rhythm-infused world of “Sneaks,” Anthony Mackie takes charge of an outstanding voice cast, embarking on a humorous CGI journey about sneakers. Despite its heartfelt intentions, the storyline stumbles due to a weak script that struggles to create a clear narrative thread. New York City’s vibrancy pulses with pulsating hip-hop beats and multicultural representations. The culture of sneakers permeates this universe, making it a cool badge of honor among its inhabitants. Urban kids will find a positive reflection of themselves, their neighborhoods, and lifestyles in this film. Regrettably, “Sneaks” falters when it tries to juggle too many characters within an overstretched plot, introducing a peculiar villain whose actions make little sense.

The sneakers hanging on power cables tell us a story. We come across Edson (Swae Lee), a teenage basketball player with worn-out shoes, visiting the “Shoeggenheim Museum” accompanied by his mother Shawna (Kiana Ledé). Intrigued by a raffle for the highly desired, restricted edition, white and gold-trimmed Alchemy 24 sneakers (commonly known as A24s), Edson purchases one ticket, despite believing his chances of winning are slim. The Collector (Laurence Fishburne), a renowned shoe aficionado, acquires numerous tickets, while his faithful bulldog Mercury maintains order amidst the onlookers.

‘Sneaks’ Misses the Dunk

Meanwhile, inside their container, Ty (Anthony Mackie) and Maxine (Chloe Bailey) are excitedly waiting for their new owner. Edson is amazed to have won in front of the cheering crowd. He intends to wear his new shoes later that night at a “Midnight Madness” charity basketball game, hoping to catch the eye of Vanessa (Amirah Hall). However, the Collector, who dislikes losing, has other plans and breaks into Edson’s apartment, stealing the A24 sneakers. But his escape isn’t smooth sailing.

In a move against Ty’s desires, Maxine attempts to jump from the Collector’s motorcycle. Unfortunately, this action causes her to send Ty flying onto an exposed power line. Ty lands on the street with a thud, while Maxine is captured by the Collector and locked away in his vault. As her brother encounters a worn-out shoe with suspicious motives, JB (played by Martin Lawrence), steps in, offering to assist Ty in tracking down the Collector and rescuing Maxine – for a fee.

The main issue lies in the fact that the two shoes have contrasting ideas about their destiny. Maxine aspires to become a sports shoe, endure wear and tear, and lead an adventurous life on Edson’s feet. However, Ty feels quite differently. He prefers to remain pristine on the Collector’s pedestal, away from foot odor and grime-filled streets. In essence, their differing aspirations set them on distinct paths toward individual satisfaction. Apologies for the shoe pun, but expect more of these as the film is full of cheesy dialogue.

The main issue at hand is that the Collector serves under another party. The Antagonist (Roddy Ricch) is characterized by his full-sleeve tattoos and an eccentric headpiece resembling a Transformer. The true adversary aims to replicate the A24s and threatens to destroy the Collector’s prized sneakers if he doesn’t retrieve the valuable pair. Despite his imposing size, the Collector is petrified of the slender, spindly-armed Antagonist who possesses automated scissors and a hairdryer ready to create chaos in the sneaker world.

Rubber Sole Adventures

Ty’s journey through New York City with JB was confusing due to an excessive number of unexpected surprises. Along the way, they encountered numerous individuals who cautioned Ty about JB’s intentions, but he persevered regardless, leading to what was expected to be a betrayal. However, this turn of events wasn’t as dire in the grand scheme of things.

Ty had an adventure with someone new in New York City, and sometimes it was scary because people warned him about that person. But he didn’t listen, which led to a tricky situation. The lesson is to always be careful when talking to strangers. However, in the end, things turned out okay for Ty, so maybe it’s not all bad if you trust someone you don’t know very well. But it’s important to remember to stay safe and follow your parents’ rules about talking to strangers.

Directors Rob Edwards, known for “Treasure Planet” and “The Princess and the Frog”, and Christopher Jenkins, famous for “Surf’s Up” and “Duck Duck Goose”, have a wealth of animation experience. It’s surprising that they allowed the movie to become so crowded and extravagant. Comparable to pouring water from a fire hose into a cup, the film never manages to slow down with its well-known cast. The frequent introduction of new characters becomes overwhelming. This is particularly bothersome when you consider the numerous elaborate musical sequences featuring singers who suddenly appear as if by magic, adding to the confusion.

The guest appearances in the film featured well-known hip hop artists and R&B musicians, presumably to attract the audience with their familiar voices and appealing music style. However, I found myself puzzled and unable to identify them during those segments.

Kids Should Get a Kick Out of ‘Sneaks’

In a less-than-spectacular animated style, the sneakers might not earn any awards, but they manage to look appealing in their functioning parts. The characters Ty and JB glide through the urban landscape on a skateboard, passing by familiar city landmarks at high speed. Interestingly, these sneakers are designed with shoelaces acting as arms and expressive black eyes. Although the facial features aren’t particularly detailed, they become more endearing as the story unfolds. Perhaps a stronger introduction or explanation would have helped tie together the visual elements better for Edwards and Jenkins.

The movie “Sneaks,” produced by Lengi Studios, Assemblage Entertainment, and Cinema Gypsy Productions, among others, can easily be found on a computer screen multiple times. However, it’s hard to believe that such a simple statement does justice to its absurdity. Since the film features kids, shoes, music, and camaraderie, details may not matter much. What truly matters is that those who seldom see their stories portrayed on screen will appreciate its inclusion. The film will be released theatrically by Briarcliff Entertainment on April 18th.

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2025-04-18 17:02