Mr Peabody (Ty Burrell) is a time-travelling, Nobel Prize winner, the inventor of planking and alternative fuel, and an accomplished musician and mixologist. He's the adoptive father to 7-year-old Sherman. He's also a dog.
Sherman (Max Charles) thinks it's perfectly to normal to have a talking pooch for a father, until he starts school and is teased by fellow student Penny (Ariel Winter). In an attempt to befriend Penny, Sherman shows her Mr Peabody's WABAC time machine, and they inadvertently take an adventurous ride to ancient Egypt, the Trojan War and Renaissance Italy. Along the way they manage to create a disturbance in the space-time continuum - which, by the way, is not good.
Mr Peabody and Sherman is based on the Peabody's Improbable History skits, that appeared in the 60s cartoon The Rocky & Bullwinkle Show, but today's audience, depending on their age, are more likely to reference Back to the Future or Little Einsteins.
Visually, it's origins are exhibited by retro design elements like Mr Peabody's very cool mid-century Manhattan penthouse and the big headed look of the original characters. The animation is sharp, colourful and fun, and the 3D wizardry keeps the story moving at a good clip.
Add smart word play, an impressive collection of puns from the deadpan Peabody, and a father-and-son story that isn't too soppy, and you've got a movie that's smarter than your average animated adventure.
