2010, Constantin Productions
Animation
Rating: PG
Approx. 91 mins.
THE STORY:
When the annual flood waters in an African delta fail to arrive, a group of animals dependent on it for survival set out to discover the problem. Billy, an awkward meerkat, and his friend Socrates the lion (Stephen Fry) journey upstream until they arrive at a luxury resort. There they discover a newly-built dam intended to benefit the resort's guests, and set out to subvert it and redirect the water along its natural path.
Along their route, Billy and Socrates meet various other animals, including a koala, a Tasmanian Devil, a roster and a pair of ancient tortoises. They are all united in the suffering and loss of habitat they have endured at the hands of humans.
Along their route, Billy and Socrates meet various other animals, including a koala, a Tasmanian Devil, a roster and a pair of ancient tortoises. They are all united in the suffering and loss of habitat they have endured at the hands of humans.
QUESTIONABLE LANGUAGE:
- caca
- poo
VIOLENCE:
- nothing significant
TEACHING POINTS:
- humans are destroying the earth and all its creatures
- there is strength in numbers
THE UPSHOT:
Why why why... why did I waste an hour and a half of my life on this? I was wooed by the cast list-- Dawn French, Joanna Lumley, Stephen Fry, Andy Serkis-- but it was absolute drivel. It's one of those movies that looks good on paper-- strong cast, positive messaging yada yada-- but just crashes and burns around 49 seconds in.
The voices are irritating, the animation is inconsistent, the story is convoluted and meandering. But the worst aspect is the environmental messaging. I have nothing against this in theory and have seen it done very very well elsewhere (The Lorax, etc.), but here it is less messaging that malleting. I emerged feeling bludgeoned to a pulp through the lack of subtlety and guilty simply for existing in human form.
There are far better movies about respecting the environment and about animals. Do yourself a favour and see one of those instead.
The voices are irritating, the animation is inconsistent, the story is convoluted and meandering. But the worst aspect is the environmental messaging. I have nothing against this in theory and have seen it done very very well elsewhere (The Lorax, etc.), but here it is less messaging that malleting. I emerged feeling bludgeoned to a pulp through the lack of subtlety and guilty simply for existing in human form.
There are far better movies about respecting the environment and about animals. Do yourself a favour and see one of those instead.
1.5/5
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