User Reviews

Extremely uneven results in the creative talents. Patton Oswalt carries the whole movie - without him the movie would be a big fat zero. Oswalt, Picardo and Warburton are shining examples of the importance of good comic supporting actors. The actors that played Fritz, Tam and Phoebe are prime examples of actors in lead roles with no charisma; I'm assuming that after hiring Oswalt, Picardo and Warburton there was no budget left to hire experienced, even fairly well known lead actors. Why else would they hire actors with such mediocre resumes? The CGI, which there was plenty of, was on the surface good if you didn't look too closely. The plot had great potential but was let down by the script's lackluster dialog. The direction suffered from poor pacing - sometimes glossing over areas that were hurried along and other parts that seemed to drag. A bigger budget might have helped to refine the script and hire a better director and lead actors. The CGI makes the movie heavy on eye candy attraction and the character actors mentioned already give the movie a generous feel-good vibe and keep it from being a total loss.

In general, the limitations of this movie will be better overlooked by a younger audience. The ending invites a sequel; but unless a larger budget can address it's problems properly there won't be a Meade 2.

I was very unimpressed at the start and the acting was subpar, very stilted with a questionable script. Turning OFF subtitles was actually important. It's a bit cringe when you realize you're reading the lines in your head more believably than the actors are.

But things did get better. Learning about how this film came to be definitely got me thinking less critically toward it. Taking a step back and letting it exist as a purely indie film with some cheesy lines and silly visual effects allowed me to enjoy it enough to finish watching it. The first 17 minutes were the weakest in my opinion but once past them the story was fine. I don't know if they'll actually make the teased sequel but I would watch it.

First let me just say that Patton Oswalt should never do voice over work again. His raven in The Sandman was truly terrible and his robot here is just as bad. It's as if he can't act when it's just his voice. Yuck.

The movie...low budget with a nonsense script.

Have it on in the background when you're making dinner...in another room.

The trailer looked like this movie could be a cult classic. The special effects are quite nice.......but the acting and the story are TERRIBLE!!! I wanted so much to love this movie and it was NOT so bad that it was good......it was just a bad movie.

Is it really that inexpensive to hire Patton Oswalt and Patrick Warburton to do voice work? I know Picard doesn't do a ton of work but surely the residuals for Voyage have to pay better than doing this?

It was so bad I'm surprised Michael Caine and Nicolas Cage weren't in it :-P.

Special effects are so so bad ,anybody could of made a movie like this on there own computer. For the whole movie they used a still picture for the background.

MEAD is one of the most refreshing independent science fiction films in years. In an era when most of the genre has been overrun by dreary post-apocalyptic nihilism or depressing dystopian parables, this is a vibrant and humorous space opera with likable protagonists and an interesting villain to boot.

The story, based on the underground comic book "Fever Dreams" from 1972, follows a pair of outlaws--the symbiotically linked human Friz (Samuel Hunt) and his robot/spaceship MEAD (voiced by Patton Oswalt)--as they flee from the zealous Admiral Gillette (Robert Picardo), who has a personal grudge against the pair. MEAD has the unique ability to project illusions to trick his enemies--illusions that Friz must first imagine. Together, they use this ability to evade would-be captors and stay alive.

Along the way, they pick up a fellow outlaw named Phoebe (Lillie Young), who begrudgingly joins them as they set off to steal fuel from a military base on Ganymede. What follows is one of the funniest scenes in the entire film, as they use illusions of a teddy bear, a tyrannosaurus, pteranodons, and a giant toy robot named Timmy the Wunderbot (voiced by Patrick Warburton) to distract military forces and steal the necessary fuel cells.

The trio flees and Admiral Gillette sets after them in an enormous spaceship named Achilles. What the pair doesn't know is that Gillette has brought with a special new helmet that allows him to see through their illusions and instruct his crew how to properly fight the outlaws. A cat-and-mouse firefight ensues, leading to a climax that's one of the most exciting--and surprisingly emotional--scenes in the entire film.

I was fortunate enough experience this in the movie theater with a live audience, where several of the patrons were actually crying during the final scene. I don't know if the film will be playing in theaters again any time soon, but if the opportunity arises, know that this is the best way to experience it--MEAD dazzles on the big screen.

Some technical elements of the film are a little rough around the edges, to be sure, but those are to be expected from an independent production of this scale and budget. To compare its visuals and music unfavorably to movies like Dune (2021) or the recent Disney Star Wars entrees seems to be missing some critical qualifications of how to critique movies. Small productions like MEAD shouldn't be kicked to the ground (as I'm sorry to see some other reviewers have done) for aiming high and not quite hitting all of their marks. On the contrary, we should hold big studios more accountable for recycling the same I. P. again and again, polishing it with all of the finest special effects and music that Hollywood money can buy, and serving us the same recycled tripe for every meal.

For all of its imperfections, I'd take another 10 films with the imagination and ambition of MEAD for every Marvel film of the past decade. If that's the kind of thing you're after, look elsewhere. Otherwise, MEAD may be just the thing for you.

Always looking for interesting movies slightly off the grid. Rented on demand and watched with the fam in our surround sound area. It kept our attention, was really a good find.

The movie was overall very entertaining! Good story and screen development. Only lacking a few stars for minor elements that would have been fixed with a larger budget. Can't wait to see a sequel!

If you love the qwirky out landish makings of the older sifi movies and shows you are gonna love this movie. You will recognize acting greats like Robert Pichardo, Patton Oswald, and Patrick Warburton and fall in love with new faces such as Kassie Wright, Lillie and Shawn Young. It's hard to believe that this is a totally animated movie and was filmed completely in green screen. Not to mention it was created by one guy.

This is a great story. Many people won't get past the low budget sound stage and struggling actors but believe me, there is a great plot twist and some priceless one-liners. If nothing else, watch the animation at the closing credits. Reminds me of Mad magazine in its prime. Mead has cult classic written all over it.

This film is sci-fi Indy at its finest the movie has really good pacing with a really nice runtime and a cast that you can tell is having the time of their life. I would recommend this for most families that love science-fiction i.e. Star Wars or guardians of the Galaxy and for an indie this could be a cult classic. The special effects work is great and Patton Oswalt as Mead is very lovable much like an R2-D2.

A mildly entertaining, CGI heavy sci fi with a fair to middling plot and good theory of AI.

HOWEVER the biggest detractor (aside from the poor acting) is the bass-heavy soundtrack. Almost impossible to follow the storyline and dialogue. I even adjusted my graphic equalizer which left the dialogue tinny and still iveramped with bass. I shut it off about half way. I admit impressed. B for effort and D for delivery.

Writer doesn't have real world experience with real combat pilots. Americans would blow right through illusions. These pilots know it yet engage and interact instead of blasting away. Poor plotting.

This is a popcorn munching, extremely fun viewing experience that is wildly entertaining. As a comic book / sci fi-fantasy geek, I can truly appreciate the heart and soul that went into the production of this film. Live action cast immersed in an animated world is a unique way of story telling that shouldn't be missed. Well done!

I loved it. It was fun and Patton Oswalt was the perfect voice for Mead. The CGI was amazing! I have always loved Robert Picardo and he really nailed this role. I would definitely watch Mead 2!

I've never been a big sci-fi watcher, but I had the pleasure of watching this movie come together over the past several months. Amazing production and graphics...I was so impressed!

Charming story, solid performances, lyrical almost hypnotic music, and effects that helped tell the story without distracting the audience.

It is nice to see sci-fi that isn't grim dark, or leave you needing therapy after the end credits.

I hope to see more gems from this studio.

I thought Mead was a great experience! I enjoyed the movie immensely! All of the animation was top-notch and flowed well. The concept was unique and enjoyable. I always love to hear Patrick Warburton! I love his voice and the timber it brings. Robert Picardo provided many examples of great comic timing and was a great addition to the cast. We got it on Vudu and have already watched it a couple of times!

MEAD was a fun watch from start to finish! The story has a pacing of a early 2000's sci-fi tv show and runs almost like an RPG. The animation for the film mirrors well with the live action actors giving the film its own style and gives the audience something they haven't seen before. The soundtrack is very well done and keeps you in the action during the intense scenes, while staying in the back of your mind during lighter scenes. The starpower chosen for this film also helps to give the movie life. Robert Pichardo role of Admiral Gillette demands angry attention, while the V. O. work from Patton Oswald keeps the MEAD robot a kinder opposite to the antagonist. Not only that, but the newer faces of Kassie Wright, Nathan Shelton, and M. Scott Thomas show us that everyone was putting their best foot forward in working on this movie. Nathan practically steals the show halfway through the film. All in all, I am was very impressed with this movie and would love to see more in the future!

Elements of humor, action, romance, and sci-fi expertlycrafted into a great film. The events easly flow throughout the movie making it easy to watch. Love Mead and Timmy the Robot characters. The opening left at the end for future films keeps me hopeful for more to come.

Loved it!! You don't have to be a hardcore sci-fi fan to enjoy this one. Lots of great CGI eye candy, fun characters, and the soundtrack is awesome!! There's something for everyone. Not sure who loved it more, me or my 14 year old son!

On the surface you may think it can't be done, one man making a entire cgi movie solo? Well it can and MEAD proved it. Proving dreams of fans do come true! Great idea and work along with costumes and acting for a independent film with no truck load full of cash budget it really is one of a kind! Highly recommend this for science fiction fans young and old!

The animation and sound track were impressive as was the acting by Robert Picard. The movie is a good reminder that artificial intelligence may or may not be humanity's friend. Looking forward to a sequel!

I had the privilege of seeing this film on the BIG screen. It is a visual delight! The characters are fun and quirky and MEAD himself is adorable! It is action-packed and keeps the viewer engaged throughout. I would highly recommend to everyone but especially sci-fi fans.