Sleight of Film

Today’s quick review: Over the Moon. Four years after the death of her mother, Fei Fei (Cathy Ang) is distraught to learn that her father (John Cho) is planning to remarry. Fei Fei builds a rocket to reach the Moon and find the goddess Chang’e (Phillipa Soo), who she thinks can convince him to change his mind. But to earn the goddess’ favor, Fei Fei must first recover a gift that can help Chang’e bring back her long-lost love.

Over the Moon is a family animated fantasy adventure based on a Chinese myth. The story follows a grief-stricken teenage girl on a quest to find a goddess and keep her family from undergoing a massive change. Over the Moon combines a colorful fantasy world with delicately handled themes of loneliness, family, and letting go. Beautiful visuals and a sweet story make Over the Moon a solid pick for anyone in the right mood.

The single most striking aspect of Over the Moon is its visuals. The film has a knack for bright, colorful designs that show off its impressive lighting technology without being overly complicated. The story strikes a similar balance. The basic story arc will be familiar to fans of the genre, but the details show plenty of care, and characters like Fei Fei and Chang’e get the chance to grow and develop identities of their own.

Other aspects of the film are satisfying but not outstanding. The songs are emotive and show off the singers’ powerful vocals, but none of them leave a lasting impression. The setting is an imaginative, fantasy version of the Moon, but the sparse landscape and oddly shaped creatures will not be everyone’s cup of tea. Finally, while Fei Fei’s journey supports the movie’s themes, it is not as fully fleshed out as other fantasy adventures.

Over the Moon is a fine pick for anyone who appreciates advanced CGI and cleanly told tales of loss and longing. It is not as emotionally resonant as the very best films in the genre, and it has slight weaknesses in terms of music, plot details, and humor. But in spite of these quibbles, Over the Moon carves out a comfortable niche for itself with its unique designs and solid fundamentals. Those curious should give it a shot.

For another animated fantasy film with ties to Chinese mythology, try Wish Dragon. For a stop-motion fantasy adventure that deals with similar themes and has mythological influences, try Kubo and the Two Strings. For an animated fantasy about a young explorer, try Patema Inverted or The Secret World of Arrietty. For an animated movie about girl’s trip to another world, try Spirited Away, A Whisker Away, or The Cat Returns.

[6.4 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7488208/). I give it a 7.0 for gorgeous animation and a sweet story.

Today’s quick review: Wish Dragon. Din (Jimmy Wong), a young man trying to work his way through college, has his luck turn around when he is given a magic teapot containing Long Zhu (John Cho), a dragon who can grant him three wishes. Din uses the opportunity to reconnect with Li Na (Natasha Liu Bordizzo), his estranged childhood friend, but runs into trouble when her father (Will Yun Lee) tries to steal the teapot for himself.

Wish Dragon is a family animated fantasy adventure about a Chinese teenager who finds an ancient, wish-granting dragon. Although his intentions start out pure, Din is tempted to wish for money and prestige so he can impress Li Na, who has grown up into a wealthy model and heiress. Wish Dragon is a generic but ultimately charming story about friendship, family, and what truly matters in life.

The driving force behind Wish Dragon is Din and his pure friendship with Li Na. No matter what else happens, their relationship keeps the tone of the movie light and optimistic. Din also makes for a wiser protagonist than most, keeping his head even when tempted with unthinkable riches. The movie also benefits from a cute art style, a basic but satisfying story arc, and a conclusion that ties everything together nicely.

Wish Dragon’s weakness is that it is walking well-trodden ground. The broad strokes of the story will be predictable for anyone who has seen other family films that introduce a young protagonist to a source of fantastical power. Wish Dragon makes some novel contributions with the details of its characters and setting, but it is missing the flashy ideas and innovation needed to leave its own mark on the genre.

In the end, Wish Dragon is a pleasant watch that is carried by strong fundamentals. It is missing the sharp comedy and original ideas that set apart other animated films, but likable characters, bright art, and a fun story make it worth a watch for anyone interested. Give it a shot when you are in the mood for something upbeat with a dash of heart. Look elsewhere if you dislike the genre or want something that will make a bigger impact.

For a more memorable film about a young man who gets three wishes, check out Aladdin. For an animated fantasy adventure that pairs a young protagonist with a goofy supernatural being, try Moana. For an animated superhero movie with a similar art style and related themes, try Big Hero Six.

[7.2 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5562070/). I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for a basic but well-executed family adventure.

Today’s quick review: Animal Crackers. When his uncle Buffalo Bob (James Arnold Taylor) dies, Owen (John Krasinski) inherits not only his circus but a magical box of animal crackers that transform anyone who eats them. Using the power of the crackers, Owen, his wife Zoe (Emily Blunt), and their clown friend Chesterfield (Danny DeVito) revitalize the circus, at least until Bob’s brother Horatio (Ian McKellen) steals the crackers for himself.

Animal Crackers is a family animated fantasy adventure. The story follows Owen Huntington as he tries to choose between the circus he loves and his steady but unrewarding job working for his father-in-law (Wallace Shawn). Animal Crackers is a freewheeling fantasy with a genuine appreciation for the circus, friends, and family. However, a convoluted premise leaves the movie without a clear trajectory.

The strong points of Animal Crackers are its cast, its character dynamics, and its sense of wonder. All of the voice actors give great performances, especially Danny DeVito and Ian McKellen. The supporting cast includes Wallace Shawn, Gilbert Gottfried, Raven-Symone, Patrick Warburton, and Sylvester Stallone, giving the line-up some depth.

As for the characters themselves, Animal Crackers has what it needs. Owen, Zoe, and their daughter Mackenzie (Lydia Rose Taylor) are the epitome of a loving and supportive family, Chesterfield is a warm and playful friend, and Horatio makes for a suitably egotistical villain. The other characters are harder for the movie to calibrate, with too much screen time for some of the more outrageous characters and not enough for some others.

Where Animal Crackers runs into trouble is its story. Animal Crackers cannot figure out what it wants to focus on. One part of the movie is about Owen rekindling his love for the circus, another is about his rocky relationship with his father-in-law, and a third is a fantasy adventure about using crackers that turn people into animals to save the circus. On paper these work well together, but in practice, it just leads to confusion.

As such, Animal Crackers has a hard time finding its rhythm. Instead of a clear setup and a clear story arc to follow, it combines bits and pieces of other ideas. The result is still entertaining, especially for viewers who are willing to roll with whatever ideas the movie wants to explore next. But although it has a lot of the best features of a family film, it’s missing the crisp through-line to tie it all together.

Give Animal Crackers a shot if you’re interested in a colorful and comedic adventure with a dash of heart. Its story issues will ruin the movie for some people, and it’s missing the careful tonal balance needed to make its humor stick, but its cast and its enthusiasm take it a long way regardless.

For another animated adventure with a strong family theme, try The Incredibles. For a more surreal fantasy about a circus, try Mirrormask. For a somewhat more mature story with Danny DeVito in a similar role, try Big Fish.

[5.8 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4155534/). I give it a 6.5 for a great cast, a promising premise, and a jumbled story.

Today’s quick review: A.C.O.R.N.S.: Operation Crackdown. Frankie (Jason Jones), a squirrel thief, breaks out of prison and returns to the forest, only to find that a cosmetics company has harvested all of the acorns. With winter rapidly approaching and no other food available, Frankie, his best friend Cody (Will Forte), and a team of woodland creatures make a plan to break into the comany’s high-security facility and steal the acorns back.

A.C.O.R.N.S.: Operation Crackdown is a budget animated family comedy that pits a band of animal thieves against the company that took their food. A.C.O.R.N.S. aims to be a light spin on the heist genre, using the talents of a team of animals to get past an absurdly advanced security system. But in spite of its best efforts, A.C.O.R.N.S. has major issues with its art, writing, and humor, making it a miss for most audiences.

A.C.O.R.N.S. has a peculiar vision and executes it poorly. The world-building is eclectic. Frankie and his girlfriend Lola (Victoria Justice) are taken straight out of a classic crime movie, but their target is a high-tech facility that belongs in a spy parody. From there, A.C.O.R.N.S. indulges in robots, over-the-top exterminators, and guards that would be at home in a science fiction movie, all without trying to make them feel consistent.

But even if A.C.O.R.N.S. had the subtle touch needed to bring its ideas together, its art style would drag it down. Frankie and the other characters range from passable to rough, and all but two or three characters lack the animal cuteness needed to make them work. The low budget does not do the movie any favors either, with splotchy animation, rough backgrounds, and a couple of creative workarounds for particles and explosions.

Even with all of these failings, A.C.O.R.N.S. does have glimmers of potential. Some of the characters are salvageable, the 2D animation used for the heist schematics is endearing, and its eclectic world could actually be engaging in the right hands. But the movie’s pervasive flaws keep it from making the most of its few strengths, and nearly any viewer will be able to do better looking elsewhere. Steer clear.

For a funnier, more focused take on a very similar premise, try The Nut Job or Over the Hedge. For an elaborate crime comedy with a much more satisfying plot, try Ocean’s Eleven.

[3.7 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2097333/). I give it a 4.5 for flickers of creativity amid poor execution.

Today’s quick review: The Nut Job. Surly (Will Arnett), a thieving squirrel, gets banished from the park when his selfish actions destroy the animals’ stockpile of food for the winter. Striking out on his own, he stumbles across the score of a lifetime: a nut shop being used as a front by a gang of bank robbers. To break in and steal the nuts, Surly agrees to work with Andie (Katherine Heigl) and split the take with the other animals.

The Nut Job is an animated family comedy about a squirrel planning a daring heist. Will Arnett stars as Surly, who has to put aside his selfish motives long enough to complete the heist and save his fellow animals from starvation. The Nut Job has a fine setup: a miniature bank robbery wrapped around a story about greed versus friendship. But the execution of this idea leaves plenty to be desired, with a sluggish plot and mediocre comedy.

The Nut Job has a host of minor issues that hold it back. Some of the most noticeable are a series of misses with its characters. Surly is a shade too mean to be likeable, and his redemption is not handled gracefully. Raccoon (Liam Neeson), the two-faced leader of the animals, makes for a dull villain. Grayson (Brendan Fraser), the self-proclaimed hero of the park, is another miss, a comedic character whose jokes never really land.

There are other flaws in The Nut Job’s comedy and storytelling. The jokes are fine, a mixture of animal humor and slapstick, but the timing is off. The movie lingers too long on gags that would have been fine in passing, and many of the punchlines are either too early or too late. The plot has a hard time building up momentum, a halting series of events rather than a smooth progression. What heart the story has struggles to shine through.

Still, The Nut Job has enough going for it to be entertaining. Some of the characters are a hit, including Andie, who sees the best in Surly, Buddy, his mute but loyal sidekick, and Precious (Maya Rudolph), an enthusiastic pug. The plans Surly comes up with are fairly clever, some of the slapstick hits the mark, and there is a nice sense of chaos about the proceedings. It’s just that these elements do not come together as a whole.

How much you get out of The Nut Job will vary considerably, but most viewers will find it to be a miss. It tries for the same blend of heart and mischief as other family films but gets the formula wrong, never tapping into the genre’s greatest strengths. Some viewers will have fun with its goofy humor and interesting premise, but those interested should approach with caution. For a more polished take on a very similar concept, try Over the Hedge.

[5.7 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1821658/). I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for hit-or-miss humor and flawed storytelling.

Today’s quick review: Over the Hedge. After stealing a wagon full of food from a bear, RJ (Bruce Willis), a streetwise raccoon, has just seven days to pay back his debt. He finds his salvation with a family of woodland creatures whose forest has just been converted into a housing development. RJ cons them into stealing the humans’ food for him, but their leader, a cautious turtle named Verne (Garry Shandling), suspects that he is up to something.

Over the Hedge is an animated family comedy about a group of animals who venture out into suburbia on the hunt for food. Under RJ’s guidance, Verne and his friends (Steve Carell, Wanda Sykes, William Shatner, Avril Lavigne, Eugene Levy, and Catherine O’Hara) are introduced to the strange but bountiful world of humans. What follows is an entertaining heist film with a charming premise, a distinguished voice cast, and a heavy focus on comedy.

Over the Hedge sticks to the basics, but it handles them well. The hunt for food proves to be a reliable hook, motivating the animals’ many forays into the neighborhood. These in turn provide the basis for some energetic slapstick sequences as RJ and his accomplices try to get the food and get out without being caught. Finally, the core of the story is a simple but satisfying tale about a self-serving con man who has a crisis of conscience.

Over the Hedge is an entertaining movie that makes the most of a fruitful premise. Cartoonish action, likable characters, and some pointed jabs at life in the suburbs all contribute to a breezy watch. The movie does not have the narrative or artistic depth of the best family films, and its humor can be a little crass, but anyone in the mood for a fun, family-friendly romp should give it a shot.

For another animated family movie that takes shots at modern living, try WALL-E or Bee Movie. For a bittersweet animated fantasy about the clash between animals and humans, check out Pom Poko. For a similarly roguish role for Bruce Willis, try The Whole Nine Yards or Hudson Hawk.

[6.7 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0327084/). I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for animal antics that mostly hit the mark.

Today’s quick review: Bee Movie. Unwilling to be stuck with a single job for the rest of his life, honeybee Barry B. Benson (Jerry Seinfeld) leaves the hive to explore the world outside. There he meets Vanessa Bloome (Renee Zellweger), a human florist, and the two of them strike up a friendship. But when Barry learns that humans have been harvesting bees’ honey without their permission, he decides to sue the human race.

Bee Movie is a family animated comedy about a bee who wants something more out of life. Jerry Seinfeld brings his signature style of humor to a world where bees talk, dream, and live in a microcosm of human society. True to its premise, Bee Movie has exactly one source of jokes: bees. What follows is a barrage of sight gags, bee puns, and insect-flavored stand-up comedy, all wrapped around the question of what bees would think of humans.

Bee Movie’s main weaknesses are its flimsy story and its over-reliance on humor. The plot is not meant to be taken seriously, but it feels contrived, even for a comedy. Everything from Barry’s lawsuit onward seems like a stretch, and there’s nothing to serve as an emotional core. To the movie’s credit, the gags are amusing and the tone is consistently light, but it comes across as a series of joke stitched together rather than a full story.

How much you get out of Bee Movie will depend on your sense of humor and what you are expecting. If you like simple, honest humor, alternate takes on human society, and light stories that serve as a vehicle for comedy, Bee Movie is a good pick for you. But if you are looking for a more robust family movie with well-defined characters and a strong emotional arc, you should look elsewhere.

For another animated story about insects, try A Bug’s Life or Antz. For a similar parody of human society, try Robots, Shark Tale, or Osmosis Jones. For a more serious adventure about a tiny being who braves an interaction with humans, try The Secret World of Arrietty.

[6.1 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0389790/). I give it a 6.5 for light humor and a shaky story.

Today’s quick review: Turbo. Turbo (Ryan Reynolds), an ordinary garden snail, has only ever had one dream: to be as fast as his idol, racing champion Guy Gagne (Bill Hader). He gets the chance to make his dream come true when a freak accident imbues him with super speed. Tito (Michael Pena), a taco truck owner, sees Turbo’s potential and tries to get him a spot in the Indy 500, where Turbo can show his newfound speed to the world.

Turbo is a family animated sports comedy about a little snail with big dreams. Turbo crosses an underdog racing story with a typical family film setup about a snail who is shunned for being different. Neither side of the story offers many surprises, but they work well together, establishing Turbo’s dream and then giving him a shot at it. Solid execution and a dash of passion are enough to make Turbo an entertaining pick for the right viewer.

Turbo has a strange relationship with suspension of disbelief. The bulk of the movie works according to the standard rules of family films: snails can talk and pull off remarkable acrobatic feats, none of the human characters question Turbo’s speed, and everything runs smoothly. But the movie has to bend over backwards to make its premise seem feasible, and in the process it has to rely on more coincidences and thinner story logic than usual.

Once Turbo gets over these issues, it makes for a fun watch. The voice cast helps sell the film, with Ryan Reynolds, Michael Pena, Paul Giamatti, and Samuel L. Jackson all turning in strong performances. The art style is simple and not that distinctive, but the movie knows how to change up the visuals to make the races pop. The underdog story is predictable, but it is handled well, and it is satisfying to watch Turbo chase his dream.

Turbo is a solid pick for anyone in the mood for a lighter family film. Neither its premise nor its execution is enough to set it apart, and its plot is a mash-up of a couple of well-worn formulas. But in spite of these drawbacks, Turbo is well polished, energetic, and reasonably funny. Give it a try when you are in the mood for something light and enjoyable. Skip it if you are looking for a memorable movie that breaks new ground.

For a more manic, cartoonish, and visually inventive love letter to racing, try Speed Racer. For a live-action movie about street racing, try the early Fast & Furious movies. For another underdog story, this one about robot boxing, try Real Steel.

[6.4 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1860353/). I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for a flawed but entertaining take on a classic formula.

Today’s quick review: Battle for Terra. When the last survivors of Earth invade the peaceful planet of Terra, Mala (Evan Rachel Wood) becomes a bridge between worlds when she rescues Jim Stanton (Luke Wilson), a human pilot, from his crashed ship. As General Hemmer (Brian Cox) begins to terraform the planet to make it suitable for humans, killing the Terrians in the process, Mala and Jim race to find a way for both species to coexist.

Battle for Terra is an animated science fiction movie set in a distant future. The movie is built around an interesting moral choice. Trapped in a failing spaceship with a dwindling supply of oxygen, the remaining humans must contemplate wiping out an innocent alien species so they can survive. The movie does a decent job of bringing this conflict to life, but its shallow world-building and mediocre plot mechanics make it a missed opportunity.

Battle for Terra never quite delivers what it promises. The world of Terra features a few interesting ideas, including a fully aerial society, but it is missing the depth and sense of reality seen in other sci-fi. The characters are lukewarm; Mala shows some promise as a heroine, but Jim only has the minimal traits he needs to move the plot along. The movie also misses several opportunities to make the plot more layered and less linear.

Even with these flaws, Battle for Terra conveys the story it is trying to tell. After a slow start and some clumsy maneuvering, the movie finally comes into its own near the end. The moral dilemma at the heart of the movie puts in some good work, and the final battle manages to bring the movie’s ideas together. These are not enough to make Battle for Terra stand out from the competition, but they do give it a niche as a more serious family film.

Battle for Terra gets enough right that it will appeal to some audiences, but many viewers will find it lacking. The aspects of animated films that resonate the most—the imaginative visuals, the sympathetic characters, and the emotional journeys—are all on shaky ground. Battle for Terra may still be worth a watch for those curious in its world and its story, but the average viewer may find its potential better realized elsewhere.

For another animated sci-fi movie that explores similar themes about humanity after the destruction of Earth, try Harlock: Space Pirate or Titan A.E.. For a more comedic animated sci-fi movie about a human landing on an alien planet, try Planet 51.

[6.5 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0858486/). I give it a 6.0 for a solid premise with lackluster execution.

Today’s quick review: Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole. Soren (Jim Sturgess) and Kludd (Ryan Kwanten), two young owl brothers, are thrust into danger when they are kidnapped and enslaved by the Pure Ones, an army of owls led by the evil Metal Beak (Joel Edgerton). To save his brother and the other kidnapped owls, Soren escapes from captivity and sets out to find the Guardians of Ga’Hoole, the mythic warriors who defeated Metal Beak before.

Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole is an animated fantasy action adventure directed by Zack Snyder. The story takes place in a richly drawn owl society, where parents teach their children to fly, warriors fight with talons and blades, and little owlets dream of glory. Lavish visuals and detailed world-building give Legend of the Guardians a strong foundation to work with, but some issues with its story and presentation hold it back.

Legend of the Guardians creates a world of its own. Visually, the film goes the extra mile with its CGI. The owls are realistically detailed, from their finely rendered feathers to their bird-like movements in flight. The backgrounds are gorgeous, serene forests awash in the golden glow of sunrise and the cool light of midnight. Narratively, the film strives to build an entire society, going well beyond the minimum premise of talking owls.

Still, Legend of the Guardians is hampered in a few important ways. The film’s lavish visuals work against; its golden color palette and extraneous details can make the action hard to follow. On a similar note, the story suffers from a glut of characters with difficult names, making it an effort to keep track of. More generally, Legend of the Guardians relies too much on exposition, robbing it of some of its emotional impact.

In the end, Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga’Hoole carves out a very pecuilar niche for itself. It is an epic fantasy adventure writ small, a credible attempt at making the lives of owls as grand and as meaningful as the mightiest clash of armies. Legend of the Guardians goes a long way towards realizing this goal, with a rich world and surprisingly intense action, but it never quite reaches its full potential. Approach with caution.

For another miniature CGI take on epic fantasy, try Epic. For an offbeat animated adventure that explores similar themes with a lighter tone, try The Tale of Despereaux.

[6.9 out of 10 on IMDB](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1219342/). I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for an impressive world and a flawed but ultimately enjoyable story.