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| Source: GKIDS Films |
French animation has always been unafraid to go beyond simple stories in the pursuit of making their films enjoyable for the whole family. One such film that feels like it does this perfectly is the first Ernest and Celestine, released in 2012 in its home country.
Their story is a simple and charming story that’s been done a thousand times before, but it has a storybook feel to it that can just not be replicated elsewhere. It’s a tale of societal norms to reject new, innovative ideas and to stick with old ones, specifically dealing with discrimination. However, it surprisingly plays it straight and deals with the issue upfront, encompassing most of the movie’s plot. There are some moments where it deviates to the world of the mundane, but it still feels charming to watch the dynamic of these 2 characters. Their voice actors (I watched the French dub) bring a lot of life to them, and as a result, it makes the movie more interesting to watch.
The animation is one of the biggest hallmarks of this movie, however, as the style of it is simply gorgeous to look at. Visually, it looks like an illustration from a storybook, yet the character movements are fluid and dynamic. It occasionally goes into the weird and wacky, particularly with some of Ernest and Celestine’s dream sequences, yet it still keeps a consistent style that allows it to shine. On top of that, some sequences have a watercolor painting feel to them, which leads to them sticking out and allowing the viewer’s eyes to be captivated.
The dialogue just adds to it all by being humorous and easy to understand at the same time, which helps the audience get invested in the characters, their relationships, and the overall narrative surrounding society.
Overall, Ernest and Celestine is a captivating French animated film that isn’t afraid to take risks, especially in the visual and story departments, but the charming and lighthearted mood it presents leads the film to feel enjoyable.
My Rating: 8/10 🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿
Streaming on Tubi, buy/rent on VOD platforms
A GKIDS Films Release
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