It's all but impossible not to fall in love with this movie from the very, very start. The animation style looks and feels so much like the illustrations we've seen in children's books for many, many years, hovering somewhere between sketches, watercolors, and other media that from the outside looking in seem relatively "basic." Superficially simple as the visuals are, there's nonetheless incredible detail in every frame, splendid and rich even as the color palette is somewhat muted. And very honestly, such bare few words rather describe the picture as a whole: 'Ernest & Celestine' is an utter delight.
The storytelling carries like familiar strains of uncomplicated tales for kids imparting important themes, and Big World ideas in smaller, cuter, more entertaining ways. From wrong-headed perceptions, prejudice, and misunderstandings (or maybe deliberate misinformation), to the criminalization of poverty and resource scarcity, from knee-jerk responses to the ; from the values, judgments, and priorities of society, to friendship, to relationships of mutual benefit, and more - there's a lot to explore just under the surface, and it's all wrapped up in a truly delightful narrative. Daniel Pennac, adapting Gabrielle Vincent's storybook, has done a fabulous job in these scant 80 minutes of building a living, breathing two-dimensional world of anthropomorphized critters, filled with significant complexity, its own lore and rules of operation. That world is populated with wonderfully fun characters and settings, peppy dialogue, recognizable but flavorful plot threads, and wholly vibrant scenes in both concept and image.
And the music! Vincent Courtois' themes are a real treat, light and sweet as they add fruitful flourishes to the feature. And the cast! It's a marvelous ensemble put together for the English dub, a veritable who's who across generations of actors: Mackenzie Foy, Forest Whitaker, Lauren Bacall, Paul Giamatti, William H. Macy, Megan Mullally, Nick Offerman, Jeffrey Wright? How's that for a list of credits? One and all, they give fantastic performances of personality and range that bring their characters to vivid life. Sound effects, film editing, sound editing, direction - in every possible way 'Ernest & Celestine' is tremendously smart, imaginative, heartfelt, and just plain entertaining. Such enchanting hard work went into every aspect of the movie, on every level, yet at the same time it's hard not to believe that each day of production was more fun than work for all involved - animators, composer, writer(s), cast, and so on down the line. That dandy joie de vivre certainly comes across as a viewer, that's for sure!
Youth or adult, child at heart or terribly jaded, I've trouble thinking for one moment that anyone could watch this stupendous film and not find something to love. I've trouble thinking for one moment that anyone could watch this and not have a great time. It's so very well made in every way, and more than that it's charming, satisfying, and altogether refreshing. For older viewers it's like revisiting our childhood; for younger viewers, it's an instant modern classic that will surely hold the same sway for them in the years to come. 'Ernest & Celestine' is a brilliant spark of vitality that deserves far wider viewership and recognition. As far as I'm concerned it's a must-see and earns my highest, most enthusiastic recommendation!
The storytelling carries like familiar strains of uncomplicated tales for kids imparting important themes, and Big World ideas in smaller, cuter, more entertaining ways. From wrong-headed perceptions, prejudice, and misunderstandings (or maybe deliberate misinformation), to the criminalization of poverty and resource scarcity, from knee-jerk responses to the ; from the values, judgments, and priorities of society, to friendship, to relationships of mutual benefit, and more - there's a lot to explore just under the surface, and it's all wrapped up in a truly delightful narrative. Daniel Pennac, adapting Gabrielle Vincent's storybook, has done a fabulous job in these scant 80 minutes of building a living, breathing two-dimensional world of anthropomorphized critters, filled with significant complexity, its own lore and rules of operation. That world is populated with wonderfully fun characters and settings, peppy dialogue, recognizable but flavorful plot threads, and wholly vibrant scenes in both concept and image.
And the music! Vincent Courtois' themes are a real treat, light and sweet as they add fruitful flourishes to the feature. And the cast! It's a marvelous ensemble put together for the English dub, a veritable who's who across generations of actors: Mackenzie Foy, Forest Whitaker, Lauren Bacall, Paul Giamatti, William H. Macy, Megan Mullally, Nick Offerman, Jeffrey Wright? How's that for a list of credits? One and all, they give fantastic performances of personality and range that bring their characters to vivid life. Sound effects, film editing, sound editing, direction - in every possible way 'Ernest & Celestine' is tremendously smart, imaginative, heartfelt, and just plain entertaining. Such enchanting hard work went into every aspect of the movie, on every level, yet at the same time it's hard not to believe that each day of production was more fun than work for all involved - animators, composer, writer(s), cast, and so on down the line. That dandy joie de vivre certainly comes across as a viewer, that's for sure!
Youth or adult, child at heart or terribly jaded, I've trouble thinking for one moment that anyone could watch this stupendous film and not find something to love. I've trouble thinking for one moment that anyone could watch this and not have a great time. It's so very well made in every way, and more than that it's charming, satisfying, and altogether refreshing. For older viewers it's like revisiting our childhood; for younger viewers, it's an instant modern classic that will surely hold the same sway for them in the years to come. 'Ernest & Celestine' is a brilliant spark of vitality that deserves far wider viewership and recognition. As far as I'm concerned it's a must-see and earns my highest, most enthusiastic recommendation!