Comments on Film Walrus Reviews: SLIFF 2009 Coverage Part 5

I agree with the flaws you describe with Mia and t...

2009-12-13T13:53:39.300-06:00

I agree with the flaws you describe with Mia and the Migoo. However, I did end up feeling positively about the movie overall, and like I would recommend it to friends with little kids.

John,
Maybe you are just a grump : D

I hear you. And I'm probably not being fair. B...

2009-12-04T11:50:10.268-06:00

I hear you. And I'm probably not being fair. But it's how I feeeeeeeeeeeeel

Egon & Donci was more fun than its individual ...

2009-12-03T23:02:35.135-06:00

Egon & Donci was more fun than its individual parts would make it seem, kind of in a Chaplin/Keaton way. The ending was really pretty jarring though, especially the final credits that display a poem/rap ranting about Capitalism repeated in several languages.

Considering that I really like Nocturna and Renaissance, giving a general thumbs up to the storylines of both, I'd say "Mia and Migoo" is not for you. The story is, if anything, weaker than either of the others. At worst it occasionally feels designed to sell Migoo plushies.

I don't feel like you are fair to Nocturna (or Totoro) when you judge them from the perspective of adult cynicism. I feel strongly about the need for even kids films to have high standards, but when you are making a film targeted at very small children the story, themes and dialog must necessarily be understandable to the demographic.

Sounded like you were trying your best not to come...

2009-12-02T20:26:36.830-06:00

Sounded like you were trying your best not to come down too hard on Egon & Donci, regardless of the score. I, too, feel like seeking out more quirky animation becomes a balancing act in terms of how enjoyable it is for me at the end of the day. Quay Bros. were quirky as hell, but I enjoy myself a whole lot more watching Disney's Aladdin or Pixar's Up.

As for Mia and the Migou, it's disheartening to hear about ANOTHER gorgeous animated movie that worries far more about its visuals than its storytelling. I had higher hopes for Nocturna before I saw it collapse into another standard kids' adventure movie, and Renaissance would be just about perfect if only more attention had been paid to the story details. Hopefully you're right and the story behind Mia and the Migou is still strong enough to support the movie, regardless of how awesome the animation style is.