Sneaks

Setting aside issues of hygiene and odor, Sneaks aims to answer an age-old question: What do shoes think about their owners whose feet slip inside of them?

This animated adventure about a boy and his tricked-up anthropomorphic high-tops is quirky and mildly charming, but there’s not much of a compelling story to tie everything together.

The film is visually striking, with its stylish urban streetscapes capturing its cultural and socioeconomic melting pot, along with a diverse array of footwear befitting its appreciation for sneaker subculture in which devotees scramble to stay ahead of the trends.

However, the jokes are generally broad and obvious, tailored to a younger audience who might get their kicks, while it won’t be the right fit for most accompanying adults.

The story begins with Edson (voiced by rapper Swae Lee), a New York teenager whose basketball dreams are endangered by his ripped kicks. Fortunately, he wins a pair of luxury white leather, gold-laced beauties in a raffle, which he brings home and rests on a shelf.

When he’s not looking, the sneakers come to life, with Ty (Anthony Mackie) and Maxine (Chloe Bailey) squabbling over whether to think outside the box.

An attempt to steal them by The Collector (Laurence Fishburne) results in the duo being separated. Edson is crestfallen, unaware that Ty has recruited some of his friends to help him reunite with Maxine and return in time for Edson’s upcoming tournament.

A sampling of the banter includes one-liners such as “sneaks don’t talk — we converse,” and “your mama was from Payless,” with brand name-drops that are no doubt strategic.

At any rate, youngsters might identify with Edson’s athletic ambitions and wide-eyed innocence. Yet in terms of character development, the shoes come mostly off the bargain rack, without much personality beneath the colorful laces.

The voice cast includes Martin Lawrence, Keith David, musicians Quavo and Roddy Ricch, and hoop superstar Chris Paul.

The screenplay by Rob Edwards (The Princess and the Frog), who co-directed with Christopher Jenkins, offers easily digestible messages for the target demographic, depicting how the title characters must remain loyal to the other half of their pair, or else they’re useless.

Emphasizing chaos over coherence, Sneaks wears thin pretty quickly, lacking the deeper soul to match its rubber soles.

Rated PG, 92 minutes.