I visit my local movie theater several times a week, but rarely see the same movie twice. My yearly goal is to see as many new releases as possible, so I don't usually have time to see a movie more than once in the theater, but "Marcel in a Shoeless Shell" was an exception.

Not only did I enjoy Marcel's hilarious adventures twice in the cinema, I went back for a third showing just in case. Of course, as soon as it became available for purchase digitally, I bought it and watched it three more times after that.

I have spent the last two years trying to convince most of the people I know to see this film, so you can imagine my delight when Netflix confirmed their list of new films for February 2024 and "Marcel in a Shoeless Shell" was on that list.

The film arrives on Netflix today (Saturday, February 24) and I encourage you to see it ASAP. If you are looking for a film that will lift your spirits to get you through the bleak winter, you need to get to know Marcel properly.

If you spent much time online in the early 2010s, you may already be familiar with Marcel. The feature film is based on a series of web shorts released between 2010 and 2014 and follows the daily life of Marcel, an anthropomorphic one-inch-tall shellfish.

The film largely follows the same structure, but is slightly broader in scope. Marcel the Shoeless Shellfish follows the documentary style of the eponymous character as he describes his daily activities to filmmaker Dean, who has just moved into Marcel's house (actually an Airbnb) after a breakup with his girlfriend.

The optimistic shell explains everything from unique ways of moving around the house, such as using sticky honey to walk on walls and converting tennis balls into rolling vehicles, to his obsession with "60 Minutes," which he watches with his grandmother, Nana Coney. Marcelle also offers unique insights into life and explains how the shell colony operates.

"Marcel in a Shoeless Shell" is generally a rather subdued film, but it has a dramatic twist thanks to Marcel's determination to reunite with his lost family. The plot keeps the film moving at a brisk pace despite its short 90-minute running time, but the bulk of the film is a character study devoted to one of cinema's most fascinating works.

As you might expect, Marcel is the star of his own film. The adorable miniature protagonist will quickly become endearing and you will be completely charmed by his quirky personality.

Many of Marcel's thoughts on the world are laugh-out-loud funny. I especially like his explanation of why he hates the phrase "anything that comes out in the wash" and his dislike of Dean's dog, Arthur. Furthermore, his constant positivity is a great inspiration in today's society, which tends to be cynical.

The always wonderful Jenny Slate brings Marcel to life in a truly wonderful voice performance. Slate embodies Marcel with a youthful, naïve quality, but at the same time gives the character a contemplative edge that at times makes him wise beyond his youth. It allows "Marcel in a Shoeless Shell" to be a bit more thoughtful in some places.

While time spent with Marcel is generally very lighthearted, the film also gently touches on more serious themes such as grief and the difficulty of finding one's place in the world. It is quite impressive that writer/director Dean Fleischer Camp has made a film about animated talking shells that is genuinely deep enough to bring tears to your eyes.

If I had to sum up "Crustacean Marcel Wise Shoes On" in one word, it would be heartfelt. This is a rare film without a sarcastic bone in its body. It is funny, endearing, and just melancholic enough to tug at the heartstrings. It's the perfect movie for those days when you're feeling a little sad and need a movie to cheer you up.

If my words above are not enough to convince you that "Crustacean Marcel" is the next Netflix movie you really need to see, I can assure you that I am not alone in my obsession with this pint-sized hero. Almost everyone seems to love Marcel.

The film currently holds an almost perfect 98% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and when filtered by "top critics" its rating jumps to 100%. Audience ratings are similarly high, with 90% from over 1,000 ratings on RT.

Marcel was also nominated for Best Animated Feature at last year's Academy Awards and Golden Globes, losing both times to Guillermo del Toro's "Pinocchio," but the lovable shell made an impressive cameo on the Academy Awards red carpet.

And if you watch the movie on Netflix and fall in love with the shell, which almost certainly speaks for itself, the A24 store sells Marcel's metal figurines so you can get your own Marcel.