Ferdinand, from BlueSky – the studio that gave us Ice Age and Rio, is the story of a bull with a big heart, who is mistaken for a dangerous beast. It is based off the children’s book of the same name. Ferdinand is captured and torn from his home, determined to return to his family, he rallies a misfit team to help him find his way back. My sons went with me to see this Golden Globe nominated film. Here are our thoughts…
A heads up that there are some spoilers in here that I think are important especially if you’re planning on seeing this with young ones- but enter at your own risk.
(NOTES: “RS” is me, “ES” is my 9 year old and “MS” is my 6 year old)
RS: Gentlemen, how did we enjoy the movie this morning?
ES: I really liked it. It was really funny.
MS: I’m not sure yet.
RS: Why aren’t your sure?
MS: There were parts I really liked but there were some things I didn’t really like at all.
RS: What was a part you did like?
MS: At the end by the tree. I was glad that he found somewhere safe to be.
ES: When they are at the ranch and the bulls have a dance off with the horses. That was super silly.
RS: I liked when Ferdinand helps Angus, with his long hair. It a nice moment of kindness.
RS: So, what didn’t you like about the movie? (this is where that spoiler warning comes in)
ES: I didn’t like it when they figured out about the bull fighting. That’s just because they didn’t go to the slaughter house, it didn’t mean they were safe.
MS: I hated the slaughter house. I know it was supposed to be funny but it just made me sad. Do we have to eat meat anymore?
What followed was an extremely long conversation about conservationalism and free range farming that ended in my 6 year old in tears about the death of cows. Now, this is not a moment I would usually include in a review but if you find yourself seeing the movie with a sensitive kid – or adult- you may find yourself having a difficult and unexpected conversation. To be fair, there is nothing graphic that happens in the slaughter house, all of the bulls that enter make it out just fine… but… they do show a cow being trussed up in a sling, and the different machines used. So, heads up.
RS: Who was your favorite character in the movie?
ES: I liked Maquina – the frankenbull. He’s the best dancer.
MS: All of the bulls! They’re really funny.
RS: I like Angus – but then I’d listen to David Tennant say anything.
RS: So would you go see Ferdinand again?
ES: When it comes to Netflix probably.
MS: I dunno, mama. It made me sad… with the bull fighting and the meat factory, there is a lot of killing.
…and this is how we ended up eating pasta for lunch.
The animation on the movie is done really well and the voice acting is great, if over the top at times. It could be a really great film but I feel like it might have gotten too bogged down by it’s cruelty free message. It’s a message I feel is important, but felt it out of place and over-emphasized in this film.
The boys give it 3 1/2 out of 5 Nerdskulls
I give it 3 out of 5… at best.
Check out the trailer below:
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