Smallfoot

This review may contain spoilers!

This year is really flaunting some great animated films so far. I would give Smallfoot an 8/10.

When it comes to moral messages in animated films they've always been rather simple from a mature perspective, even as more modern themes have cropped up this general principle has rung true. Smallfoot manages to challenge this in a way few animated films do, by taking a rather complex theme and making it into something all audiences can watch and engage with. This film tackles the idea that humans don't exist through the eyes of the Yetis and Yetis don't exist through the eyes of the humans when the two finally interact they're forced to realise there's more to life than what they've just been told. Smallfoot does the monumental task of teaching youngsters and adults alike to question the world around them, not merely to accept something just because it's so, an inspired narrative element. The animation style is bright and colourful, lending an incredible range to the Yetis and their village while casting the human town in harsh bright neon colours. The soundtrack for this film makes use of its incredible musical talent, Zendaya really sets the film apart with her songs and Common lends his own twist to the antagonist's ballad.

Channing Tatum, who voiced Migo, has a charismatic way of leading the action as the main protagonist; Tatum grows this role from a naive member of his tribe to a hero who has awakened change in his people. James Corden, who voiced Percy, is an overly ambitious, desperate figure when first we meet him; yet Corden finds the compassion in Percy and rekindles his moral compass come to the end of the feature. Common, who voiced Stonekeeper, presented a very calm and persuasive antagonist' Common's portrayal here is expertly done as you can strongly understand this character's actions and the way he reflects and makes a change in his values speaks strongly to the message of the film. Danny DeVito, who voiced Dorgle, makes a great father figure; DeVito exerts a stubborn viewpoint in the film that changes as his love for his son takes precedence over his worldview. Yara Shahidi, who voiced Brenda, really plays out her frustration over Corden's Percy quite well; Shahidi demonstrates a strong moral compass and sets a bar for what we want to see Percy achieve as an audience. Jimmy Tatro, who voiced Thorp, is one of the funniest performers in the feature; Tatro attempts to layer on the thug-like menace but undercuts this with a rather amiable and likeable undertone.

However, the best performance came from the leading actress: Zendaya, who voiced Meechee. At first, the role of Meechee seems like a romantic interest, she's beautiful and holds a high station as the Stonekeeper's daughter. Yet Zendaya needs little time in unveiling the truth of her role, this is a character who will not blindly follow her father's rules and must understand what is true and why things are designed to be the way they are in her village. This character has a ton of energy from the moment she properly engages in dialogue, excited by knowledge and hungry for answers Meechee is going to have you hooked. She never once is conflicted in her values and makes an effort to always be true to what is right. It's not hard to see why Meechee is one of my favourite animated protagonists this year.

This film spends a lot of time fleshing out the theme and dwelling upon it, which is very unique and daring. However, this means the narrative arc is quite simple: Yeti thinks humans exist, gets one and inevitably attempts to put the human back. The risk here is a slow-paced feature which can be a detriment in animated films and children especially could grow bored during the second act.

LeBron James, Gina Rodriguez and Ely Henry, who voiced Gwangi, Kolka and Fleem respectively, are generic sidekicks to the major protagonists; the goofball antics from this lot tend to fall flat when it comes to Smallfoot's more serious tone.