And now, ladies, and gentlemen, we are going to be reviewing a more recent film that was directed by Steven Spielberg. It is a film that had characters that were likely based around Steven Spielberg’s life. Released in November 2022, let’s discuss The Fabelmans.
Plot: When Samuel (aka Sammy) Fabelman (Gabriel LaBelle), and his Jewish folks (Michelle Williams, and Paul Dano) go see The Greatest Shoe On Earth in 1952, Sammy gets so fascinated by an action scene in the film that inspires him to become a film director. As he, and his family move from places like Haddon Township, New Jersey yo areas like Phoenix, Arizona, and Saratoga, California, will Sammy continue to have a passion for filmmaking, or will he give up that dream, and pursue something else?
Well, first of all, this may not be quite one of Steven Spielberg’s best works. Still, he did a fairly good job for what he brought us in the end. First of all, it was great to see a fictional film that wasn’t based on a true story set in a different time period for the first time in quite a while. It was also cool to see a film with characters that were apparently based on the family, and friends that Steven Spielberg has had over the course of his life. The acting was also really good from Gabriel LaBelle to Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, and many more. Oh, and there is the music by John Williams. Okay, first of all, who would’ve guessed that he would be back to film scoring after supposedly being absent from creating film scores for a very long time? I’m sure that many of us remember John Williams for composing film scores in movies like the original Star Wars trilogy, the Star Wars prequels, Home Alone 1, and 2, and quite a few other films. So, how was his score this time around? Well, even though it was not quite as epic, or as groundbreaking as with quite a few other films that Williams scored in, he brings a different few to The Fabelmans. Basically, his music seems to be very quite, and peaceful this time around. Many times, it’s almost as if you might feel like you might be listening to a combination of pieces of classical music from composers like Mozart, or any of those other late classical music composers. You can really tell that John Williams changed his game when it came to him creating his film score this time around. Oh, and how could we not appreciate that throughout the course of this film, we may find ourselves interested in either putting films like The Greatest Show On Earth, and other older films on our docket list of films to watch in the future? Oh, and it was cool to learn that people can use certain objects, drawings, or anything like that to help them with the process of movie making. The movie also does a good job of relaying messages like to not give up on your dreams in spite of opposition that one may face through life, and things like that.
So, all of these things sounds great so far, yes? Still, I have to tell you all that I don’t think that The Fabelmans is one Steven Spielberg’s best works as far as films that he directed go. To begin, the film, while good, can be a little too depressing at times. I mean I understand that this film was based around events that occurred in Steven Spielberg’s life. So yeah, I’m sure that Spielberg’s life may not have been the best growing up. Still, even if none of the films that he directed in the past were exactly Christian (except for Prince Of Egypt, which he was involved in that project, but didn’t officially direct), those previous seemed to still feel a little more uplifting than this one. And yes, I understand that life is not always going to be happy, or happily ever after, or something like that. Still, couldn’t Steven Spielberg have made certain aspects of this film as if he were to have had a better life than he did in the end? Okay, maybe that’s easy for people like me to say, or ask. Either way, The Fabelmans was still very good for what it was. There were some aspects of this film that could have probably been rewritten, though. Additionally, there were some scenes that were a little too disturbing, and convoluted at times. Additionally, even if the Fabelmans were a fairly fun family to hang out with, they’re probably not a family that you may want to go back, and revisit as consistently as families from other films, live-action, or animated. Sammy even seemed to be a little too much of a coward at times, rather than being brave enough to do the right thing 100% of the time. Yes, you’ll likely understand his reasons. Still, one could say that he could be both a positive, and negative role model to other people at the same time. As for some of the other characters, while they were okay, none of them seem to be 100% likable. Not only that, but quite a few of them, especially outside of the Fabelman family, will more than likely be memorable in a more negative light, than a positive one. Rather tragic, wouldn’t you say?
Well folks, that concludes my review for The Fabelmans. It was undoubtedly cool for Steven Spielberg to make a film, and create characters that were based on real people that were involved in his life. Still, after anyone sees this film, I’m sure that many, if not all, of us, can agree, that Steven Spielberg has made better films in the past. Yes, the acting is good, the characters are fairly well developed, and, of course, John Williams made a very beautiful score that sounds like classical music at times. Still, it’s not as worth rewatching as much as quite a few other films, whether those were directed by Steven Spielberg, or not. Still, it is worth watching at least once, if not more. I would say either see this film for free if you’re an AMC, or even Regal Stubs member, or something like that. Otherwise, maybe wait until The Fabelmans is released On Demand, or even when it’s cheaper to rent this film on video, or something like that. It’s not a bad movie. It was just an okay one.
Final Grade: C+
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