The sound design is excellent. It is creepy and insinuating. It feels weird to describe a movie where nothing graphic appears on screen as deeply unsettling, but this definitely is.

It ends up playing it pretty safe, giving its audience a production that acts like it is risky, but ultimately isn’t close to being as bold as either of its two most obvious inspirations.

It is certainly ambitious. However, it isn’t cohesive, with some really good pieces that don’t connect to one another. This is a mood more than a logical story. The mood is intriguing; the story is not engaging.

There is something to be said for a charming story that can make the whole family laugh, even if Pixar used to stand for more than a decent diversion.