Brace yourself people: ‘Smallfoot’, an animation not made by Disney, is a musical! And by “musical” I mean it has a grand total of five non-catchy yet still beautiful, anthemic cool songs of varying genres to make everyone happy. No ‘Let It Go’ brain-melters here. Parents; you’re welcome.
So, Migo (Channing Tatum, ‘Magic Mike’) is a very proud happy-go-lucky Yeti who lives in a Yeti village on a mountain, above the clouds. Each day is spent obeying the sacred stones which contain and dictate the laws of their world. But when Migo runs into a human AKA a Smallfoot one day - a species that, according to the stones, doesn’t exist, and he’s banished from the village. To prove that he was right and be allowed back home, he and the other members of Smallfoot Believers Society set about capturing one. Meanwhile down on the ground, failing nature documentarian Percy (James Cordon, ‘Into The Woods’) is struggling for ratings, but when his attempt to fake a Yeti encounter fails, he ends up meeting Migo, and the pair learn they can help each other out in more ways than one.
Just in case it got lost in translation above, ‘Smallfoot’ is a metaphor for religion and blind faith and how it leads to hatred and violence. I couldn’t think of a more fitting time in recent history for this film to be released. If the message gets through, which in all honesty I believe is a bit much for the youngins to comprehend, it would be amazing. Children will learn the importance of questioning the world around them and the value of acceptance in things that are a little difference them themselves. Even if it reaches one tiny human, it will all be worth it.
Even if it reaches one tiny human, it will all be worth it.
Completing the cast of great actors who can also sing like Common and Zendaya are a group of great actors (and one sports superstar) who can’t sing, including Danny DeVito, LeBron James, Gina Rodriguez and Jimmy Tatro, who are all wonderful. The animation is cute, bright and easily digestible for tiny human eyes. Again, the music is uplifting and enjoyable. Despite the heavy subject matter, this film displays great humour delivered by adorable and fun characters. I took my 5-year-old niece, 4-year-old nephew and my partner, and we all loved it. Definitely a rare treat (outside of the Disney/Pixar-sphere) where’s there’s something for everyone - and perhaps even a lesson grown-ups could re-learn.
