Tag: Animation

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Movie Review

Wish (2023) Movie Review

Wish – Movie Review

Read our review of Wish, a charming animated movie about a girl's wish coming true with unexpected consequences.

ABC Film Challenge – Catch-Up 2024 – W

Director: Chris Buck, Fawn Veerasunthorn

Writer: Jennifer Lee, Allison Moore (Screenplay)

Writer: Jennifer Lee, Chris Buck, Fawn Veersaunthorn, Allison Moore (Story)

Cast (Voice Talents)

Plot: A young girl named Asha wishes on a star and gets a more direct answer than she bargained for when a trouble-making star comes down from the sky to join her.

Runtime: 1 Hour 35 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Wish starts when a teenage girl Asha gets to make her wish to King Magnifico. He has been granting wishes for his kingdom over his reign, however, Asha wants to see her grandfather’s wish granted. When he is skipped over once again, she turns to the forest.

Asha makes a wish upon a star and finds herself joined on an adventure by a star who grants wishes. It causes chaos to Magnifico’s reign and he shows a much darker side to his power and ability to control wishes.

Verdict on Wish

Wish is a fantasy adventure following a kingdom that relies on wishes to motivate them through life. Their king grants wishes when he needs more from his people until one teenager fights back to free the wishes of the kingdom.

This movie uses the power of wishes to show a controlling king. It shows how people rely on them to give them hope, even if it ends up consuming their desires. The battle to free the kingdom is everything you would imagine from the Disney concept. It has lovely use of music, creating hope for people craving more, but accepting not everything is possible. However, the battle against the king could have been a lot deeper, as the first interaction makes a good point that wishes are often too vague.

Where to Watch

JustWatch

Final Thoughts – Wish is a charming musical adventure.

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Movie Review

The Wild Robot (2024) Movie Review

The Wild Robot – Movie Review

Discover the enchanting world of The Wild Robot in this captivating movie review. Join Roz on her journey to survive and bond with the island's animals.

Director: Chris Sanders

Writer: Chris Sanders (Screenplay)

Writer: Peter Brown (Book)

Cast (Voice Talents)

Plot: After a shipwreck, an intelligent robot called Roz is stranded on an uninhabited island. To survive the harsh environment, Roz bonds with the island’s animals and cares for an orphaned baby goose.

Runtime: 1 Hour 42 Minutes 

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: The Wild Robot starts when a robot called Roz gets shipwrecked on a wildlife island. It tries to help the animals in search of a purpose without any luck. That is until she must raise a goose called Brightbill with a craft fox Fink. The three are seen as outsiders and Roz’s maternal instincts take over, as she prepares Brightbill for migration.

Roz refuses to give up completing the task and over time she must learn to adapt to the environment. She doesn’t give up on the other wildlife either and does what she can to keep them safe too.

Verdict on The Wild Robot

The Wild Robot is an animated adventure following a robot abandoned in the wild. They must learn to adapt to the environment and raise a goose. However, the biggest challenge is winning the hearts of the local wildlife who are fighting to survive.

This is a delightful animation, it brings the biggest heart to any animation this year. It shows that you can overcome adversity by doing the right thing and sharing love is more important. The animation is gorgeous and sucks you into the beauty of the wildlife. It is a must-watch movie filled with emotional impact over every decision being made.

Final Thoughts – The Wild Robot is an emotional journey into the wild.

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Movie Review

The Magic of Santa Claus (2025) Short Movie Review

The Magic of Santa Claus – Short Movie Review

Explore the enchanting world of Santa Claus in this magical short animation. Discover the deeper meaning hidden behind the Christmas story.

Director: Andrew de Burgh

Writer: Andrew de Burgh (Screenplay)

Plot: Santa travels the world on Christmas Eve.

Runtime: 9 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Verdict on The Magic of Santa Claus

The Magic of Santa Claus is a short animation following Santa on his latest Christmas. He has a difficult moment in his life wanting to make sure everyone has a wonderful Christmas.

This short movie brings to life the importance of things and how Santa has been for generations. It does feel like there is a much bigger message behind the story. One that is bigger than Santa and Christmas. However, you will have to watch to understand that meaning. When it comes to the animation, we get an amazing display in the stop-motion field.

Final Thoughts – The Magic of Santa Claus is a wonderful Christmas treat.

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Movie Review

Ruby Gillman Teenage Kraken (2023) Movie Review

Ruby Gillman Teenage Kraken – Movie Review

Watch Ruby Gillman Teenage Kraken Movie, starring Lana Condor and directed by Faryn Pearl, as she learns her destiny lies in the depths of the waters.

ABC Film Challenge – Female Directors – Faryn Pearl

Director: Kirk DeMicco, Faryn Pearl

Writer: Pam Brady, Brian C Brown, Elliot DiGuiseppi, Meghan Malloy, Michael McCullers, Kirk DeMicco, Faryn Pearl (Screenplay)

Cast (Voice Talents)

Plot: A shy adolescent learns that she comes from a fabled royal family of legendary sea krakens and that her destiny lies in the depths of the waters, which is bigger than she could have ever imagined.

Runtime: 1 hour 31 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: The movie starts when teenager Kraken Ruby wants to go to a human prom. Her mother Agatha has raised the family on land to make them look like humans. Ruby is banned from entering the ocean, but after an accident, she does the right thing and saves someone. However, it releases her inner Kraken showing the monstrous side of her body.

The world sees her as evil and distant relatives come to show Ruby her new life she never knew about. She ends up befriending a mermaid Chelsea, who is the only person to show her friendship. However, Ruby doesn’t know everything about the greater battle between Krakens and Mermaids.

Verdict on Ruby Gillman Teenage Kraken

Ruby Gillman Teenage Kraken is an animated fantasy movie following a teenage Kraken who learns about her life in the ocean. She has lived her life on land, but once she touches the ocean, she learns her place in the world.

This is an enjoyable family-friendly movie which explores the legends behind Krakens and Mermaids. It shows an unknown battle which sees the teenager needing to discover the truth of her family history. While the bigger battle feels more like an introduction to many more in the future. We get a wonderful animation which you would expect from Dreamworks.

Where to Watch

JustWatch

Final Thoughts – Ruby Gillman Teenage Kraken is an enjoyable family movie.

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Movie Review

Deep Sea (2023) Movie Review

Deep Sea – Movie Review

Discover the enchanting world of Deep Sea in this movie review. Follow Shenxiu as she explores the secrets of the deep sea and encounters unique creatures.

Director: Xiaopeng Tian, Fabiola Stevenson

Writer: Xiaopeng Tian (Screenplay)

Cast (Voice Talents)

  • Tingwen Wang
  • Su Xin
  • Kuixing Teng
  • Yang Ting
  • Jing Ji

Plot: A girl strays into the dreamy deep sea world. In the deepest part of the sea, all secrets are hidden.

Runtime: 1 Hour 52 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Deep Sear starts when Shenxiu faces a new life she isn’t prepared for after her mother abandons her. She meets an unusual creature while floating in the ocean. Shenxiu is transported to an underwater restaurant, where different creatures operate different culinary needs.

As she falls deeper into the underwater restaurant, she meets Nan He the eccentric chef. He reluctantly guides her through the operation, teaching her the ways of his restaurant. However, the journey becomes dangerous as Shenxiu must face her reality as she tries to escape.

Verdict on Deep Sea

Deep Sea is an animated adventure following a young girl who gets lost at sea and swept into an underwater restaurant. She meets a host of different creatures, as she looks for a way to escape. However, not everything is as it seems.

This movie uses a host of different themes to tell a much deeper story. It shows the difficult situation a young girl finds herself in real life, which has transformed her fantasy world to help her cope. While, this is made clear early, the large impact of everything is an emotional rollercoaster. It might leave you broken as you learn the truth and by the end, you know you have been through an experience. Like many other animes, the cute charming creation is a mask for something far more serious and this one holds nothing back.

Where to Watch

COMING TO UK CINEMAS ON 7 JUNE

Final Thoughts – Deep Sea is an emotional rollercoaster, unlike anything you have seen before.

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Movie Review

The Boss Baby 2: Family Business (2021) Movie Review

The Boss Baby Family Business – Movie Review

Boss Baby

Director: Tom McGrath

Writer: Tom McGrath, Michael McCullers (Story)

Cast (Voice Talents)

  • Alec Baldwin (Glengarry Glen Ross)
  • James Marsden (Sonic the Hedgehog)
  • Amy Sedaris (Elf)
  • Ariana Greenblatt (Love and Monsters)
  • Jeff Goldblum (Jurassic Park)

Plot: The Templeton brothers have become adults and drifted away from each other, but a new boss baby with a cutting-edge approach is about to bring them together again – and inspire a new family business.

Runtime: 1 Hour 47 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: The Boss Baby Family Business starts as Tim and Ted have grown up, and Ted has become a successful businessman. While Tim has his own family being a stay-at-home parent. However, his youngest Tina has started showing signs of intelligence like her uncle Ted.

When Tina brings the brothers together, she recruits them in her mission to uncover the truth about her new teacher. Dr Armstrong seems to be pushing for the baby take over, as Ted and Tim go undercover in the school. Here, Tim gets closer to his oldest daughter Tabitha for the first time in years as the brothers look to solve the problem.

Verdict on The Boss Baby Family Business

The Boss Baby Family Business is an animated sequel. It takes the siblings back to their childhood age to help the next generation of the family. It sees the brothers needing to work together once again, despite their differences.

This movie brings together a couple of serious subjects. Them being, parental relationships and sibling relationships. When it comes to the villain plot, it almost becomes the second fiddle to the bigger stories going on in the movie.

This will end up getting everything it needs out of the casual audience. It is harmless fun that the younger audience should enjoy.

Final Thoughts – The Boss Baby Family Business is one for the younger audience to enjoy.

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Movie Review

Combat Wombat Double Trouble (2024) Movie Review

Combat Wombat Double Trouble – Movie Review

Read our review of Combat Wombat Double Trouble - an action-packed animated movie with a fearless hero and a thrilling plot.

Director: Ricard Cusso, Tania Vincent (Daisy Quokka)

Writer: Dominic Morris (Screenplay)

Cast (Voice Talents)

Plot: An evil tech genius threatens to turn the city into a metaverse simulation, leaving the Combat Wombat to save the day.

Runtime: 1 Hour 21 Minutes

There may be spoilers in the rest of the review

Story: Combat Wombat Double Trouble starts as Maggie Diggins and Sweetie have saved the city. They offer their services to the city but find themselves dealing with any troubles they face. It leads to Maggie getting frustrated, as she wants to help fight crime.

However, Maggie finds herself involved in a much bigger crime going on and must find a way to stop it. Even if it becomes more difficult to bring down the mastermind behind it all.

Verdict on Combat Wombat Double Trouble

The movie is the sequel to the highly entertaining animation. It follows the now-recognised hero trying to fight crime, only to find herself dealing with a new threat. However, her team must overcome obstacles to save the city and clear her name.

This is a great sequel which brings us back to the city to help the colourful characters. It uses the different creatures from Australia for the battle and takes things in a very different direction. The message is still clear and shows us that life is important through the ups and downs. This is an enjoyable comedy and the people behind it understand the heart and soul of the story.

Where to Watch

Combat Wombat: Double Trouble exclusively in cinemas in the UK & Ireland on 1st March. Distributed by Signature Entertainment

Final Thoughts – Combat Wombat Double Trouble is an enjoyable fuzzy sequel.

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Release News

Combat Wombat: Double Trouble – Release News

Combat Wombat: Double Trouble – Release News

Embark on an epic adventure with Combat Wombat: Double Trouble. Join Maggie Diggins and Sweetie as they fight against an evil tech genius to save the day.

Synopsis: Life has become a little too demanding for Maggie Diggins aka Combat Wombat. Whilst the Sanctuary City crime rate is at an all time low, she’s now busier than ever spending her days helping unclog drains and filing tax returns instead of saving the world. This isn’t what she signed up for! When an evil tech genius threatens to trap the whole city in a ‘perfect’ metaverse simulation, Maggie and Sweetie join forces to save the day once again, but will this be the dynamic duos’ last hurrah?

Starring Deborah Mailman (The Sapphires), David Wenham (The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers)and Ed Oxenbould (The Visit), Combat Wombat: Double Trouble is written by Ricard Cussó (Daisy Quokka: World’s Scariest Animal)and Tania Vincent (Scarygirl) and is directed by Dominic Morris (Earth Science Investigators).

Combat Wombat: Double Trouble only in cinemas in the UK & Ireland 1 March. Distributed by Signature Entertainment

Categories
Movie Review

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (2021) Movie Recommnedation

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On – ABC Film Challenge – Oscar Nomination – M – Marcell the Shell with Shoes On – Movie Recommendation

Marcel the Shell with Shoes On – ABC Film Challenge – Oscar Nomination – M – Marcell the Shell with Shoes On - Movie Recommendation

Director: Dean Fleischer Camp

Writer: Dean Fleischer Camp, Jenny Slate, Nick Paley (Screenplay)

Writer: Dean Fleischer Camp, Jenny Slate, Nick Paley, Elisabeth Holm (Story)

Cast

Plot: A cash-strapped documentary maker decides to make his newest documentary about a mollusk shell he finds living in his Airbnb with his friends.

Runtime: 1 Hour 30 Minutes