Lisa Johnson Mandell’s The Fabelmans review says that the semi-autobiographical coming of age film about one of the world’s greatest filmmakers reminds us all why we go to the movies.

The Fabelmans review

Without depending on flashy special effects, extreme violence or major shock value, Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans is a truly epic film, relying on superlative storytelling and master movie craftsmanship.

It’s just the thing for those who are burnt out on over the top action films and movies that pander to short attention spans.

It’s not just an artful recounting of how Spielberg became the filmmaker he is today. It’s about tender family relations, change, bigotry, growing up, finding your bliss, and so much more, all as seen through the eyes of young Sam Fabelman, adroitly played first by Mateo Zoryon Francis-DeFord and then by Gabriel LaBelle.

Michele Williams is the joyful and exuberant yet tragic Mitzi Fabelman, Sam’s right-brained mother, while Paul Dano is Sam’s brilliant and kind, left-brained father. Look for them both to be nominated many times next month.

Those familiar with Spielberg’s work will delight in seeing the first sparks of inspiration for many of his future films. Sam’s friends and family members will show up in his later projects, and you’ll see the first signs of his techniques and favorite themes slowly start to develop. You may want to see this movie several times, first for the gestalt, and then for the multi-layered details.

Spielberg and the entire film benefit from the mastery of favored collaborators including composer John Williams (in their 29th film project together), writer Tony Kushner and cinematographer Janusz Kaminski, among others,  to keep the project on a stratospheric level.

At two and a half hours, it does clock in a little on the long side, but Spielberg, after giving us so much cinematic satisfaction over the years, deserves to be indulged. The film will likely take its place among the top 10 movies of the year, and possibly of the decade.

Rated PG-13

2 Hours 31 Minutes

If this The Fabelman’s review inspires you to have a special movie night out at the cineplex, get local times and tickets at Fandango.com.

Lisa Johnson Mandell’s The Fabelmans review says that the semi-autobiographical coming of age film about one of the world’s greatest filmmakers reminds us all why we go to the movies.