Likening the story of Pinocchio to that of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, del Toro’s Pinocchio story has more heart, more realism, & more darkness than the previous cinematic adaptations. Del Toro’s creation is a combination of his ever-present fascination with a “monster’s” interaction with human societal structure with the lens of child-like exuberance & naivety. Director Guillermo del Toro has dreamed of making this film since he was a little boy and it shows. ![]() ![]() While there have been many film adaptations of the classic 1883 children’s tale, the beauty of this version lies in the creator himself. I have some nerve putting the only Best Animated Feature Oscar winner at #3. The central themes of Hope and the Belief in the Impossible mixed with indelible characters make this film a cut above for Netflix Original Animation. The Magician’s Elephant gives us an original fairy tale that brings out the child in all of us. And last but certainly not least, former “ Daily Show” correspondent Aasif Mandvi breathes life at the perfect time with his fun-loving, eccentric characterization of The King who makes Peter fulfill the impossible tasks that keep the audience engaged throughout the story. MCU star Benedict Wong ( Doctor Strange, Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) brings his mystical art prowess to his role as The Magician. Oscar nominee Brian Tyree Henry (Causeway, Bullet Train) stirs up the whimsical nature of this film with the unreasonably hopeful Officer Leo. Legend of stage & screen Mandy Patinkin ( The Princess Bride, Homeland) graces us with the range of emotions required to bring life to Sgt. Noah Jupe ( A Quiet Place films) provides relentless hope & youthful exuberance with his performance of Peter. The film is narrated by the previously mentioned Fortune Teller voiced by the perfectly snarky Natasia Demetriou (Nadja in What We Do In The Shadows). What follows is a layered “wish-fulfillment” tale with heart, humor, and a series of impossible tasks that keeps its audience engaged with this game element throughout.įeaturing quality animation from newly acquired studio Animal Logic ( Lego Batman Movie, Peter Rabbit) & steady direction from longtime Visual EFX Supervisor Wendy Rogers (Shrek, Puss In Boots), the film’s most impressive aspect may be in its all-star lineup of voices. After a chance encounter with a fortune teller, he is told he can find his sister by simply “follow(ing) the elephant”. Raised by Vilna, the aging soldier who saved him many years ago, Peter always thought his sister might still be out there despite the insistence of his guardian that she has passed on. If you enjoy the insanity of a good Roald Dahl tale with a dash of Tim Burton & Wes Anderson influence, then check this out on Netflix immediately.īased on the children’s novel of the same name by Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo ( Because of Winn-Dixie), The Magician’s Elephant is the entertaining & heartwarming story of young orphan boy Peter who lost his mother and sister during the Great Foreign War. While ultimately overshadowed during awards season by Glen Keane’s Over The Moon, I believe the critics (not me, of course) got this one wrong as The Willoughbys served up something fresh & different with a naughty bit of fun for the whole family. ![]() The story is filled with dark yet family-friendly humor with some amazing voice work from SNL legends Will Forte, Maya Rudolph, & Martin Short as well as TV sitcom titans Ricky Gervais ( The Office UK) & Terry Crews ( Brooklyn Nine-Nine). ![]() With lush animation from Bron Studios & Foreshadow Films, the movie is a well-crafted visual delight with a house design that would tickle the fancy of any Wes Anderson fan. After reports of their parents’ absence surface, the siblings and their new nanny embark on their own high-flying adventure to find the true meaning of family.įrom Director Kris Pearn ( Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2) and co-directors Cory Evans (Invincible) & Rob Lodermeier ( Star Wars: The Clone Wars), The Willoughbys was a breath of fresh air in the early stages of the pandemic shutdown. Convinced they would be better off raising themselves, they hatch a sneaky plan to send their selfish parents on a less-than-safe vacation. The Willoughby children – Time, Jane, Barnaby A, & Barnaby B – only ever wanted to have a normal family, but their loving parents have no love left over for them. Based on the children’s novel from New York Times bestselling and two-time Newbery Medal-winning author Lois Lowry ( The Giver, Number the Stars), The Willoughbys is a devilishly fun twist on the average kids adventure story.
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