• Release year: 2023
• Director: Neil Boyle and Kirk Hendry.
• Producers: Camilla Deakin, Ruth Fielding, Anne-Laurie Labadie, Martin Metz, Adrian Politowski, Sarah Radclyffe and Barnaby Spurrier.
• Screenplay by: Frank Cottrell Boyce.
• Art direction by: Michael Shorten.
• Music by: Stuart Hancock.

Shotgun Commentary: great film for children, with a relevant message and an interesting story.

Review

Kensuke’s Kingdom is one of the best films made for children of the last few years. An adaptation of the homonymous book, the feature aims to teach kids about nature and how important it is to respect it, to be patient and observant instead of aggressive and obnoxious. The story is influenced by Disney classics, albeit still manages to separate itself from them and become original enough to not be boring.

Engaging and moving

The narrative is essentially Cast Away (2000) meets Tarzan (1999) with a dash of Bambi (1942). The main character, Michael (Aaron MacGregor), is an unpleasant, spoiled child who disobeys whenever he gets the chance. He acts without thinking and cares an exact amount of zero about anyone around him. With Kensuke’s (Ken Watanabe) help, he’ll learn the meaning of responsibility and the value of tolerance and restraint. This evolution is incredibly educational as well as fascinating, since Kensuke’s life is a delightful mystery.

Drama and comedy meet in this wholesome narrative, bringing enough emotional intensity to move even the most stoic of hearts. Whether it is the people or the animals (cause let’s be honest, animals are way more moving), at least part of the story will stay with you.

As for the target audience, Kensuke’s Kingdom is a very enriching experience for kids. In a world where the media only feeds them overused narratives and lazy scripts, this adaptation is a breath of fresh air, offering content that is not only stunning, but also actually educative and relevant.

The voice(s)

Aaron MacGregor as Michael and Ken Watanabe as Kensuke deliver superbly. In MacGregor’s case, the emotions and evolution of Michael are perfectly reflected in his voice, making it easy to get to like his character despite his flaws. As for Watanabe, his role is even more challenging in terms of non-Japanese-speaking audiences. There are no subtitles, so the spectators understand the same Michael does (aka nothing). However, he communicates with passion and his messages are clear.

Audiovisual talent

This great delivery, of course, has a lot to do with the animation itself. The combination of 3D and 2D animation adds dynamism to the tale and separates the main storyline from secondary accounts, including some background stories and a long period of time in which nothing happens.

The soundtrack is also worth mentioning. The orchestral compositions take you straight to Disney classics, bringing the drama and enhancing the mood of each sequence. Whether it is whimsical, terrifying, or sad, the music accompanies every moment, guiding the audience and hinting how they should feel about what they are watching.

All in all, Kensuke’s Kingdom is a charming story that will leave a positive mark in children and offer a great time to adults. Its core is deep, and it doesn’t fall into irrelevant drama for the sake of drama. It’s a great watch for audiences of all ages.

Advice to take from this movie:

• If you are in a survival situation, pay attention to what your dog refuses to eat and drink, it might just save your life.
• Appearances can be deceiving.
• There is a fine line between bending reality for the sake of children and writing utter nonsense. It is important to stay on the right side of it.

What’s your take? Have you watched Kensuke’s Kingdom? What is your favourite family-friendly movie of the last few years? Don’t hesitate to let me know your thoughts in the comments section below, or leave a message in my contact page! For more reviews and cinema-related articles, check out the rest of my blog! 😀