If you liked actor Adam Sandler as Count Dracula in the Hotel Transylvania series, you would love him as the 74-year-old tuatara, a lizard-like creature, in the recently released animated musical Leo.

Available on Netflix, Leo comes at an age when parents fail to give much time to kids, kids have no time for their parents and grandparents have become mere showpieces in homes.

Set in a classroom, the movie revolves around middle-school children, who are growing up. Belonging to every race and culture, the fifth class has kids from everywhere. There is a bully, a talkative student one who thinks her family is the best, a child from a broken family, one with overprotective parents, and some boys who encounter growing-up issues.

Disney’s Leo is a brightly animated film with moments of insight. The new academic session resumes normally, but when the young class teacher goes on maternity leave, enters a substitute who is old, strict and grumpy. Things like gadgets and tabs become things of the past and kids are asked to read books, Charlotte’s Web in this case.

They are also asked to pick one pet from the veterans — a turtle, Squirtle (voiced by Bill Blur), and a tuatara, Leo, and take them home over the weekend. The tuatara is picked first and becomes the favourite. As both pets could talk, they have been assessing students from inside the cage. Leo believes he is soon going to die and decides to share his experience with the kids. Later, he shares his adventures with Squirtle on return and the positive effects his communication has had on the kids over the weekend.

The 102-minute movie highlights the importance of a trusted friend or an elder in life. Interactions with Leo show a drastic improvement in the student’s behaviour as the ‘I-think-I-am-going-to-die’ pet addresses their fears.

Being in his 70s, Leo comes up with excellent advice for the troubles faced by many growing kids. One student even compared him with his grandfather, who was also caring and used to listen to her.

Co-written by Adam Sandler and directed by multiple directors, the movie is about the evolution of students who are also growing up. Leo bonds with the kids and helps them learn lessons only experience could teach. He also makes them confront their fears, insecurities and problems.

It’s a complete family movie, for those who are in school, and more for those who have left it years ago. You will fall in love with Adam Sandler again, after watching it.

Published in Dawn, Young World, January 6th, 2024