Abominable

Although it never quite reaches the summit, Abominable is a delightful kid-friendly adventure that provides some amusement for accompanying adults, too.

The second animated yeti movie of the year — after the equally charming Missing Link — is both funny and poignant as it unspools a story of outsiders forming a mutually beneficial partnership.

In this case, one of those outsiders happens to be the aforementioned mythical creature, who takes refuge under a tarp atop an apartment building in Shanghai.

That’s where he meets Yi (voiced by Chloe Bennet), a teenage violinist still grieving the death of her father, and missing out on the cross-country adventure they had planned together. After some initial hesitation, the girl forms a bond with the creature, nicknamed Everest, who wants to be reunited with his family in the Himalayas.

You can guess what happens next, as Yi rounds up two adolescent neighbors for a quest to return Everest to his homeland and bring closure for herself. Besides the inherent peril, trouble follows them in the form of a wealthy collector (Eddie Izzard) and a scientist (Sarah Paulson) who each have ulterior motives for capturing the oversized snowman. And it’s not like he’s easy to hide.

The richly detailed computer animation brings a vibrancy to the crowded urban hustle and bustle as well as the wintry rural landscapes. It immerses moviegoers in the specifics of its Asian setting while still hitting its mainstream mandates.

The screenplay by director Jill Culton (a veteran animator who co-directed Open Season) benefits from a quirky batch of characters, including Yi’s hilariously eccentric and slightly overbearing grandmother (Tsai Chin).

The precocious and resourceful protagonist is relatable for kids regardless of cultural or geographic background. After all, the target demographic won’t be as likely to dwell on the abundant logical gaps in the script.

The film works better in its more intimate character-driven segments than in the obligatory action sequences that drive much of the second half, which turns into another formulaic example of rambunctious children outsmarting devious adults.

Still, Abominable conveys gentle lessons of compassion and teamwork alongside its emotional undercurrent about intergenerational bonds shared across species. That’s why, even when the journey feels familiar, it doesn’t leave you cold.

Rated PG, 97 minutes.