The Magician's Elephant

The Magician's Elephant is a delightful animated feature that brings Kate DiCamillo's 2009 illustrated children's novel to life with charming characters and a whimsical story. The movie is set in the once magical city of Baltese, which has lost its magic and wonder following a great war, leaving it in the shadow of eternally unmoving clouds. The story follows the young orphan Peter, who is raised by an old soldier Vilna Lutz, and his journey to find his presumed dead sister by following an elephant.

What's particularly impressive about this movie is how it manages to appeal to both children and adults. While there are plenty of colorful characters and whimsical moments that will delight young viewers, there are also subtle themes and jokes that will resonate with older audiences. This is truly a movie that the whole family can enjoy together.

The voice cast is superb, with Noah Jupe delivering a strong performance as Peter, and Mandy Patinkin, Miranda Richardson, Benedict Wong, Aasif Mandvi, and Brian Tyree Henry providing reliable and likable voice talents to the ensemble. The characters are well-written, and the story avoids the pitfalls of many modern-day animated fantasy films that feel the need to "contemporize" their dialogue in ways that take you out of the story. Martin Hynes' screenplay captures the charm of the original book, and the story feels organic while still fitting within the confines of fairy tale tropes.

One thing that sets this movie apart from others in the genre is the way it balances humor and heart. There are plenty of laughs to be had throughout the film, but they never detract from the emotional core of the story. This is a movie that will make you smile, but it will also tug at your heartstrings in all the right ways.

One of the most refreshing things about The Magician's Elephant is that there is no villain in the film. While there is conflict, it feels fairly organic, and the story manages to fit within the confines of fairy tale tropes without being overly glib about them. Mandy Patinkin gets some strong comedic moments intermixed with the dramatic ones, and there are some amusing exchanges that make you smile. The film captures the whimsy and charm of the original book, and it's a pleasure to watch.

While the animation is good, there are some sticking points. The character models felt a little off at first, particularly in the eyes and mouth, and the texturing on the models could use some more polish. However, these issues are minor and become less noticeable as the movie progresses. The elephant is animated fantastically, and Animal Logic's prowess as an animation house shines through.

But it's not just the animation that makes this movie great - it's the story and characters as well. At its core, this is a story about hope, and the lengths that people will go to in order to hold onto it. The main character, Peter, is a shining example of this, never giving up on his quest to achieve his goals despite the obstacles that stand in his way.

this animated movie is a true gem It's a testament to the power of animation as a storytelling medium, and a reminder that there is always hope to be found even in the darkest of times. So grab some popcorn, settle in, and get ready to be swept away by this beautiful, heartwarming movie.

Overall, The Magician's Elephant is a charming movie that captures the spirit of the original book. The story and characters are well-written, and the voice cast delivers strong performances. While the animation could use some polish, it's still good, and the film is a decent showcase of Animal Logic's abilities as an animation house. If you're looking for a charming animated film to watch with your family, The Magician's Elephant is definitely worth checking out.