Streaming Review: “In a Dream”

Pixar’s influence is unmistakable in the new Netflix film, *In a Dream*. Writer and director Alex Wu, who has credits from notable projects like *Wally* and *Remy’s Delicious Restaurant*, steps into a larger narrative realm for his Netflix debut. The story follows two brothers navigating a dream world to tackle real-life issues. It’s a mix of fun and emotion—perhaps even a bit relatable. But is it genuinely worth your time, or just a nice distraction?

Life seems perfect for Stevie (Jolie Hoang-Rappaport)—until her brother arrives. The family breakfast, once serene, turns chaotic with the attention split between Mom (Cristin Milioti) and Dad (Simu Liu) due to Elliot (Elias Janssen). Stevie, who has a type-A personality, now has to share a room with Elliot, a mischievous boy whose messy hair is reminiscent of Bart Simpson. It’s a classic sibling rivalry, with Stevie openly calling Elliot a “disaster” in her thoughts.

Stevie’s parents used to be a musical duo, but those days are in the past. Their relationship has grown strained, with her father often lazy despite working hard on music, while her mother, an educator, has a new job offer looming in Duluth. The tension between them is palpable, with Stevie overhearing their worries about finances and family stability. She feels a mix of anxiety and despair over it all.

When Stevie and Elliot stumble upon a magical book about dreams—specifically relating to a figure called The Sandman—they are thrust into a whimsical and sometimes scary dream realm. There’s a quirky rule that allows them to share a dream, leading to misadventures with Elliot’s long-lost best friend, an endearing yet troublesome giraffe named Baloney Tony (voiced by Craig Robinson). Stevie believes the Sandman can help keep their family intact, though I find her reasoning a bit puzzling. But maybe they’ll learn something valuable instead.

In terms of vibe, the film feels familiar—you might draw parallels to other Netflix animated films like *Orion and Darkness*. While it aims to be creative, its Pixar-esque styles make it feel a bit derivative. There are nods to classics like *Toy Story* and *Inside Out*, and even to *Shrek* and Studio Ghibli favorites like *Spirited Away* and *My Neighbor Totoro*.

Robinson really shines as Baloney Tony, offering many laughs, somewhat reminiscent of Eddie Murphy’s character in *Shrek*, though I’m not quite sure how original it feels.

Luckily, there’s nothing overly risqué in the film.

The emotional core wraps around Stevie’s plea, “Please make us a happy family again,” in a moment that’s sure to tug at heartstrings. *In a Dream* skillfully balances emotional depth without veering into excessively sentimental territory, largely drawing on Pixar’s influence. Wu manages to keep the focus on the heartfelt brotherly bond that stands strong amidst family chaos.

However, outside of this central theme, the narrative gets a bit unfocused, especially in the latter parts. Stevie encounters larger themes related to truth and change—a tough lesson about the imperfections of life. There’s some tension about whether the story picks up or fizzles out leading to a somewhat predictable third act.

The portrayal of the Sandman as a rather conventional figure feels lacking, yet the dream world is visually engaging in a surreal way. Some scenes evoke a fairy-tale charm, reminiscent of Disney’s *It’s a Small World* but transformed into something distinctly wild and imaginative. While it may be challenging to extract deep metaphors, the animation itself is entertaining enough in its own right.

In conclusion, *In a Dream* offers light-hearted, engaging, and often funny family entertainment. It looks great, has meaningful elements, and you might just find yourself wishing Baloney Tony could be your spirit animal. Think about giving it a stream.