Smallfoot

Usually animated films are reserved for the summer movie season, but now that we are in a small 'dead zone', there needs to be something to spark interests for audiences, and what a better film than that of :Smallfoot"?

 

An animated adventure for all ages, with original music and an all star cast, this story turns the Bigfoot legend upside down, when a bright young Yeti, Migo (Channing Tatum) finds something he thought didn't exist--a human, Percy (James Corden). News of this Smallfoot throws the simple Yeti community, headed up by Stonekeeper (Common), into an uproar over what else might be out there in the big world beyond their snowy village. Because of the community's skepticism, Migo is banished claiming he actually saw a human. So, as he leaves, he then meets up with several Yetis including Meechee (Zendaya), Gwangi (LeBron James), Kolka (Gina Rodriguez) and Fleem (Ely Henry) to assist him in his quest of finding this human. This is a whole new story about friendship, courage and the joy of discovery.

 

Others to round out the cast are Danny DeVito as Dorgle, Migo's father, Yara Shahidi as Brenda, Jimmy Tatro as Thorp, Patricia Heaton as Mama Bear, Justin Roiland as Garry and Jack Quaid as Pilot.

 

This was directed with brightness and gusto by Karey Kirkpatrick ("Over the Hedge" '06, "Imagine That" '09) plus TV and co-directed by Justin Reisig. Through this colorful rendition of the Bigfoot legend, Kirkpatrick and Reisig were definitely able to bring these characters alive showing just the correct amount of emotion to this otherwise eclectic ensemble cast. Truly filmmaker, Kirkpatrick's claim to fame is his writing, but he certainly has proved himself in the director's chair more than once. It was brilliantly written by Kirkpatrick ("James and the Giant Peach" '96, "Chicken Run" 2000, "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" '05, "Over the Hedge" '06, "Charlotte's Web" '06, "Flakes" '07, "The Spiderwick Chronicles" '08, "The Smurf's 2" '13) and  Clare Sera ("Doin' It Yourself" (TV movie) '13, "Blended" '14) plus a short, based on a screen story by John Requa, Glenn Ficarra and Kirkpatrick, which is based on the book, "Yeti's Tracks" by Sergio Pablos. This was written in the way of the old Looney Tunes cartoons in that there was so many physical pratfalls. It is interesting that Warner Bros., who created the Looney Tunes was the company behind this film. Couple this aspect with this having an incredible message of sticking together, especially when the tough gets going, and you have a truly well throughout, heartfelt storyline. If you like Kirkpatrick's brand of writing, his "Chicken Run" has been announced.

 

This is a truly heartfelt and funny film with an original premise and just the right amount of physical pratfalls to entertain us all. This is a must see, whether you be 6 or 96 years old, and where else can you go and learn a great message all the while being entertained?

 

Out of 4 Stars: 4                                     Rated: PG                                       96mins.