Nickelodeon’s hit cartoon makes some noise on Netflix.
I have a buddy, who is a Nickelodeon fan, mostly for the 90s when they were all that, and he often has his positive aspects on some of the shows in the next generation. I see his passion on his Instagram posts and stories, and as a buddy, he suggested that I take a look at Netflix’s take on “The Loud House Movie,” which is based on one of the most popular Nickelodeon cartoons about the only boy in a family of ten girls.
The boy’s name’s Lincoln Loud (voiced by Asher Bishop), he breaks through the fourth wall, and he uses every survival skills every day when it comes to the texting Lori (voiced by Catherine Taber), the cute and ditzy Leni (voiced by Liliana Mumy), the rocker Luna (voiced by Niki Futterman), the comedian Luan (voiced by Cristina Pucelli), the athletic Lynn (voiced by Jessica DiCicco), the creepy Lucy (also DiCicco), the dirty Lana (voiced by Grey Griffin), her pampered twin Lola (also Griffin), the brainiac Lisa (voiced by Lara Jill Miller), and the baby Lily (also Griffin).
When you look at this concept, it sounds like something out of “Cheaper by the Dozen,” minus one child. But actually, it’s based on creator Chris Savino’s life in a big family.
I’ve seen the show before the movie came out, and while I haven’t seen every episode (because I’m not that deep into TV shows), I like it for its sweetness, goofy sense of humor, and comic book style animation. And aimed for kids and adults who manage to find the colors in kids animation, the made-for-Netflix feature has some nice songs, some funny moments, and well-meaning intentions.
The plot takes the Loud family to Scotland, where they find out that their royal ancestors founded the town of Loch Loud. And that’s why they get the big castle with their own rooms each with their own bathrooms, which is obviously ideal when you have a big family in a small house.
The ways the Louds head over to Scotland feature echos from “The Great Muppet Caper” when they have to parachute out of the plane’s cargo hold, “Euro Trip” and “National Lampoon’s European Vacation” when they travel through Europe, “Around the World in Eighty Days” when they take a hot air balloon,” and “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” when they take a sub to the country.
The story involves Lincoln feeling like he’s in his sisters’ shadows, which is why he’s eager to learn his ancestor was the Duke, since they both have white hair with a turkey tail. He decides to become the first Duke in 400 years, while the one who covets the crown is the less interesting one. Her name is Morag (voiced by Michelle Gomez), she’s the housekeeper, and she’s more of a Squidward (“SpongeBob SquarePants”) wannabe, because she doesn’t want the crown for the pampering and power. She wants it to control a dragon to scare away the townsfolk so she can have peace and quiet.
The best new character the Louds come across with is Angus (voiced by David Tennant), the jolly groundskeeper, who teaches Lincoln what Mufasa taught Simba as a cub: that there’s more to being a king. And yet, he isn’t too serious, but rather he has a good heart.
And you get some likable supporting characters like the ghostly Lucille (voiced by Katy Townsend), who holds secrets in the castle, and the baby dragon Lela, who grows up every time she eats.
“The Loud House Movie” doesn’t have the kind of theatrical polish as previous Nickelodeon programs that transcended to the big screen like “The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge Out of Water” or “Rugrats in Paris,” but then again, it is a made-for-Netflix movie. And in its own terms, it’s almost as entertaining as the made-for-Disney+ spin-off “Phineas and Ferb The Movie: Candace Against the Universe.” You had to enjoy how the animation is flexible, how Leni thinks everyone is named Scott since they’re in Scot-Land, and how its tone is sweet.
Streaming on Netflix
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