MOONBOUND, Germany, 2021. Directed by Ali Samadi Ahadi. 85 minutes. Rated PG (Mild crude humour and sense of threat).
Once again, for this kind of animation film for younger audiences, the opinions of film critics with analysis is rather irrelevant as to whether the children enjoy the film on not. It is based on a popular children’s novel by German author and playwright, Gerdt von Bassewitz.
At the end of the film, the two central characters, Peter (who loathes being called Petey) and his younger sister, Anne, wake up in their bedroom and both agree that they have had weird dreams. (But, of course, they actually lived through their dreams!) “Weird’ may be the view of the children – and is probably the view of the adults who watch this extraordinary variation on fairytales. On the other hand, the publicity for the film refers to the journey as “magical”. The synopsis takes this much further and describes it as “enchanting”. That would not be the reaction of this reviewer except if “enchanting” is interpreted in the sense of powerful magicians imposing spells.
As the film opens, Peter finds Anne absolutely annoying (and he is not wrong). Anne, lively and feisty, considers Peter her “idiot brother”. He is bullied at school but she stands up for him. His dream is to be an astronaut and go to the moon.
At the same time, there is little subplot about beetles, enchantment, spells, a tree uprooted and going to the moon, the beetle losing one arm as well as his wife. He is determined to get back to the moon if only he can find three humans to help him.
We certainly then enter a world of enchantment, a fairy Queen (who could do with a course on management as well as empathy) gets involved trying to help, but Anne is abducted by the grim moon man and his henchman and trapped with some insects. (And that is only the beginning of the complication). Peter and the beetle are joined by the Sandman (the one who puts people to sleep) and a whole cohort of Nature Spirits. And a giant polar bear transports Peter and his group, leaping through space and clouds, to the moon.
And, all kinds of shenanigans, conflicts, pratfalls, magic, crises involving rescuing and, the beetle restoring his arm, Peter and his sense of achievement.
But, all in all, it seems that this is a film for the littlies audience rather than even the older pre-teens, and not for the teens. So much colour, so much movement, so many complications, not necessary to follow all the details the plot but for the littlies to be swept up by it all.
Released 24 June
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CRANSTON ACADEMY: MONSTER ZONE, UK. Voices of: Jamie Bell, Ruby Rose. Directed by Leopoldo Aguilar. 88 minutes, Rated PG (Mild science-fiction themes).
It is a pity that the target audience for these holiday animation films are not the writers of reviews! Their views on the entertainment value need to be heeded (rather than critics’ analysis of strengths and shortcomings, valid though they may be).
We can try to imagine what the young audience might write. First of all, this is all very colourful, the characters, the students at the Academy, the teachers, life in the Academy itself – and, the explosion and excitement of the transformation and the engineer caught up in it.
While this older reviewer thought that Danny, the young hero, seemed to be about seven or eight, the synopsis tells us that he is 15! So, a readjustment question for the audience – does it appeal to the seven or eight’s or does it appeal to the 15-year-olds? This reviewer’s hunch, the former! We can also note, that in these times of equality, while Danny seems to be the dominant character, he is soon joined by Liz, who is not going to take any bossing from Danny, preferring some of her own bossiness, and getting him to admit eventually that they are a team. So, boys and girls can respond equally!
And the action? Well, there is a lot of it, and much of it is the same! A whole number of monsters who indulge in repeat performances! But, the main attention is given to the engineer who splashed his sauce on the computer console and caused the explosion, his being whisked into the maelstrom, transformed into something of a monster (but benign) moth (with quite an infatuation for torches and lightbulbs!). When the staff and the students are all captured, it is up to Danny and Liz, collaborating with the engineer to rescue them. Which means a whole lot of threats, menacing, dangers, confrontations, death-risks and ultimate victory.
A reviewer hunch – this might be enjoyed more by the younger audience, older children and teens perhaps judging it was a bit below them. And not necessary for parents to watch.
Released 24 June
Peter Malone MSC is an associate Jesuit Media
ACTIVITY
CLICK HERE for a link to a colouring page for both Moonbound and Cranston Academy: Monster Zone