As a big fan of the Abominable Snowman, I have tried to see every movie associated with Yeti, not to mention his American cousin, Bigfoot. Most are not very good, and don’t get me started on the absurdities of Harry and the Hendersons. I even wrote an article about Yeti movies way back when for the print version of Filmbobbery. Now the Himalayan Sasquatch and his buddies have been turned into animated characters, first in Smallfoot, which I like, and then in Abominable, which I don’t.

Jill Culton and Todd Wilderman’s film follows a captured Yeti escaping from his captors in China, being befriended by a trio of teenagers, and making his way back to Nepal, all the while being pursued by the scientists who want to exploit him. To its credit the film’s human characters occasionally defy expectations and actually surprise with their actions, but the premise is pedantic.

My biggest disappointment is with the design of Everest, the Yeti (also the film’s original title). Everest is a short fat fur ball with the worst underbite imaginable. He is kind of cute, but in an “ugliest dog” kind of way, where I felt pity for him as much as affection. It is also odd that the teenagers are Chinese in appearance but act and sound thoroughly American. And all the magic that Everest initiates is too sickly sweet for my taste. I know, this is a movie for kids. Fine, but I don’t remember a time when I would have really liked a movie this fanciful.

Since the 1950s there has yet to be a really good Abominable Snowman film, and this one isn’t it. Of the two recent animated adventures, Smallfoot is easily the better choice. But undiscriminating children may enjoy it, and it does have charm. Just not enough for me. ☆ ☆. 17 November 2019.