Common Sense Media Review
By Monique Jones
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Messages of empathy, compassion pale beside gross-out humor.
Parents Need to Know
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Smelliville
What's the Story?
SMELLIVILLE is an animated film that follows Max (voiced by Ben Young), the son of the town mayor and "mayoress" (Tracey Grey), the latter of whom tries to get businessperson Mr. Hammer (Tom Zahner) to build a new wellness center where the town's city dump currently is. But the dump's new residents, the Ogglies, want to stay in their home. Max and his friend Lotta (Lily Held) must help the Ogglies save the dump from Mr. Hammer's evil intentions.
Is It Any Good?
Smelliville wants to entertain kids and teach them about recycling, but it might gross them out first. Kids who enjoy body humor -- i.e., fart and burp jokes -- will probably laugh, but kids who are sensitive to jokes about bodily functions may not find it as enjoyable. And adults who usually like watching animated films, especially with kids, might also get frustrated with the overreliance on gross-out humor.
That said, it does seem like the film's gross-out aspects are supposed to have a purpose. Its humor is intended to help get across a message about recycling and living greener (literally, in the case of the green Ogglies, who reside in the city dump). But the film's message about living in harmony with others and the planet is lost under the "ewwww" jokes and Max's struggles with his extreme type A mother, Lady Mayoress. Any message about recycling is saved until the end, when Lady Mayoress uses Max's plan to help the Ogglies and the town live in peace together. Perhaps if the film focused more on that theme, it would have more impact with viewers. Still, if you're only looking for diversion, this is a serviceable story about a mother and son finding common ground.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Max and Lotta exhibit empathy toward the Ogglies' plight to stay in their home in Smelliville. How does Lady Mayoress learn to identify with the Ogglies? Why is it important for Lady Mayoress to learn to trust Max?
Did you notice any stereotypes in the film? Why are stereotypes problematic?
How does Smelliville teach viewers about the importance of recycling? What other messages did you notice?
What is capitalism? How is it critiqued in Smelliville? How are Mr. Hammer's business practices hurting the town?
How do the townspeople of Smelliville learn to live with the Ogglies? What can their actions teach about working and living with others who are different from you?
Movie Details
- In theaters : July 23, 2021
- On DVD or streaming : July 30, 2021
- Cast : Ben Young , Lily Held , Tracey Grey , Tom Zahner
- Directors : Toby Genkel , Jens Møller
- Studio : Viva Pictures
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Book Characters , Friendship
- Run time : 85 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : rude material, language and brief smoking
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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