‘Sneaks’ Review: Anthony Mackie, Chloe Bailey and Martin Lawrence in an Animated Comedy That Takes the High Out of Hi-Tops

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What stands out most about the recently released animated film Sneaks, jointly directed by Rob Edwards and Christopher Jenkins with a screenplay by Edwards (Captain America: Brave New World, The Princess and the Frog), isn’t the concept of shoes coming to life, but rather the wasted potential of its impressive ensemble cast on a narrative that is slow-paced and unsurprising.

In the imaginative New York City setting of this story, Anthony Mackie, Martin Lawrence, Swae Lee, Laurence Fishburne, Chloe Bailey, and Macy Gray, along with several others, contribute their vocal talents to the characters and footwear. Their performances are strong, but they don’t quite capture the vibrant energy that one might anticipate from such a talented group of actors.

The problems primarily arise due to a storyline heavily influenced by stereotypes rather than subtly incorporating them. For instance, a tale about a child pursuing aspirations or a shoe’s quest for its counterpart doesn’t necessarily have to be profound, but it should evoke a sense of creativity, whether through the visuals or the intricacies in the plot. Given that Sneaks is intended for a younger audience, this is especially important. However, the humor fails to captivate beyond casual attention. Despite numerous shoe-themed puns, the film’s fast pace and scattered focus make most of these jokes fall flat.

As a die-hard sneaker enthusiast, I find myself standing before the grand entrance of the Sneakerhead Gala on its opening day. This convention is a paradise for rubber-soled shoe lovers like me, where we gather to appreciate the latest sneaker designs and take part in a raffle with a chance to snag the most coveted pair of kicks around.

Upon encountering Edson (Lee), he’s speeding in a car alongside his agitated mother (Kiana Ledé), en route to a Manhattan event. He’s leafing through a magazine, admiring a coveted pair of Alchemy 24s – an eagerly awaited white sneaker model adorned with gold accents, designed by none other than Chris Paul (the basketball player). These shoes are referred to as the “creme de la creme” in footwear, and Edson dreams of donning them for his upcoming basketball game that very evening. There, he aims to captivate the crowd and charm his crush Vanessa (Amirah Hall) with his skill and style.

In the bustling convention center, where countless enthusiastic fans hummed with anticipation, Edson unexpectedly encounters the renowned shoe collector, known as The Collector (Fishburne). This individual is whispered to possess the biggest shoe collection in the nation, if not globally. The Collector, a muscular figure adorned in attire more appropriate for hiking than urban settings and usually accompanied by his curious pit bull, Mercury, buys an impressive 200 raffle tickets. With such a large number of entries, Edson believes he has little chance of winning the Alchemy 24s.

Within the shoebox, the cherished sneakers, named Ty (Mackie) and Maxine (Bailey), two siblings with distinct dreams, reside. Ty yearns for the winner to preserve their pair in a temperature-controlled space, while Maxine longs to traverse the globe and create change. She aspires that the raffle will be claimed by an individual who will genuinely wear them.

Good fortune seems to be with Maxine as Edson unexpectedly wins the shoes, causing a stir among those present. Overjoyed by this turn of events, the teenager is particularly thrilled since his existing sneakers are falling apart. In an early instance, while attempting to make a good impression on Vanessa, the sole detaches from his shoe, revealing his sock-covered feet and leaving Maxine on the floor.

Fumed by Edson’s victory, the Collector (operating on behalf of a secretive individual known as the Forager, or Roddy Rich) clandestinely breaks into the boy’s residence later that day to snatch the pair. When Maxine perceives they are being abducted, she strives to persuade Ty that they must flee. Their argument ensues, leading to their separation in the ensuing chaos. Ty winds up on the streets of New York City, whereas Maxine discovers herself confined in a luxurious apartment situated near Central Park West.

A whirlwind, occasionally disjointed and seldom shocking journey unfolds: Ty and Maxine aim to reunite, Edson is on a quest to recover his swiped footwear (mostly wallowing in self-pity), while the Collector pursues Ty with the intention of giving the Alchemy 24s to the Forager. In the story Sneaks, there are numerous plotlines, yet few manage to stir enough curiosity to justify this unengaging journey’s appeal.

As Ty encounters JB (Martin Lawrence), another shoe who’s been missing its counterpart for years, the movie starts gaining momentum. This sly sneaker, entirely black with a pattern reminiscent of authentic Air Jordans, views Ty as an easy target and schemes to swipe the flashy decorations – the diamonds and gold trimmings – adorning Ty’s body.

Terrace Martin’s score carries a funky and stylish vibe, while Mustard, renowned for producing hits by artists like Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and others, adds catchy tunes that provide the soundtrack for their journey through a vibrant cityscape – essentially, a lively version of Miles Morales’ Spider-Verse counterpart.

As a gamer, I hitch rides on skateboards and go head-to-head with rival basketball teams for intel. There’s some laughter here and there in this budding comedy, but it feels like JB isn’t fully invested in treating Ty as a genuine target.

majority of the film titled “Sneaks” seems more like an obligatory effort, with momentum fading rapidly even though it clocks in at around 80 minutes excluding credits. The production leaves one pondering about potential missteps during brainstorming phases instead of applauding for novel approaches to a well-worn narrative.

Although the animation is decent, it’s disappointing that they didn’t try out different sneaker designs, which seemed like a missed chance for innovation. The Alchemy 24s are portrayed as shoes to be revered, but in reality, both these and other shoes in the film, lack intricate details. A sense of fun or creativity is notably absent throughout Sneaks, a deficiency that’s apparent at every turn.

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2025-04-19 00:54