‘Sneaks’ is perfect for kids, questionable for young adults

“Sneaks,” directed by Rob Edwards and Christopher Jenkins, premiered in theaters on Friday with a 92-minute runtime. The film follows the path of two twin Alchemy 24 sneakers, Ty (Anthony Mackie) and Maxine (Chloe Bailey). The twins go through a journey of ownership and self-discovery to understand the value of kinship and what it means to be worn. The film was able to show a unique view about sibling relationships and the value of something as small as the shoes you’re able to put on your feet. However, the movie fails to reach all audiences, very clearly not meant for teens and adults.

After being won through a raffle by a high school freshman, Ty and Maxine hold different opinions on their purpose as limited edition sneakers. Ty believes they should be placed on a pedestal, while Maxine thinks sneakers should be used. The Collector (Laurence Fishburne), the man with the largest shoe collection in the world, shares Ty’s sentiment and tries to bribe Edson (Swae Lee) to give him the shoes. Later, the Collector steals the shoes for his boss, the Forger (Roddy Ricch), who wants to deconstruct the shoes to make and sell knockoffs. 

The film’s animation style brings a vibrancy to Harlem, New York City, and highlights the city’s traditions, such as hanging shoes from a landline on the day of a move to a new neighborhood. As it leaned into the hip-hop realm of music, the original soundtrack also immersed the audience in the city and the emotions associated with it.

But while the music adds to the environment, the songs themselves are not something to write home about. With generic lyrics and no clear bridge, the songs felt repetitive and tried too hard to connect with a younger audience with their overuse of slang. 

The overuse of slang is not solely in the music. Throughout the film, comments such as “Mom! They’re not cool, they’re fire,” and “Wow, I’m so cringe,” make the movie lean on the corny side. However, some use of slang counteracts the cringe, such as comebacks like “Your momma from Payless” and “Now I see why you wear a mask,” a comment the Collector makes after taking off the Forger’s mask. 

Overall, the storyline of “Sneaks” needs improvement. While it is a children’s movie, the writing is clearly aimed at entertaining that demographic, leaving adults and teens in the theater feeling bored. The story shows the value of sibling relationships and has representation for kids who might not see themselves in other films. “Sneaks” is not a movie to see with your friends, but could be a good bonding opportunity for younger siblings. 

2.5 sneakerheads out of 5