Before filmed adaptations of old TV series' became such a fad, cinematographer turned director Barry Sonnenfeld made this version of The Addams Family -- far better than the majority of the films based on TV shows that would follow. Sonnenfeld's stylish cinematography is more present here than ever before, and its surreal, fantastical quality complements the rich, quirky world of the Addams Family like a marriage made in heaven. Part of the success comes from an attempt to study and recreate the atmosphere from Charles Addams' New Yorker cartoons upon which the series was based (more than a few scenes are lifted directly from the cartoons), and another part of the success comes from the inspired casting choices (without exception) that shouldn't disorient even the most dedicated of the series' fans.