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| Source: GKIDS Films |
To me, it’s always interesting to see what different artists use the medium of animation for, as it can represent a plethora of ideas and concepts. This proved to be no exception to that ideology. A perfect melody of dream-like visuals and fantastical worldbuilding, Sirocco and the Kingdom of the Winds’s simplistic yet messy attitude makes it stunningly adrift, seamlessly representing the frenzied nature of children’s fantasy.
While not the most engaged I’ve been this year narrative-wise, the story is easy to understand for families, yet abstract enough to give off depth. It may seem “fish-out-of-water” at times, but it has a distinct advantage compared to a typical family flick: it acknowledges tropes and doesn’t forget about the fact that the world our main characters are thrown into is beyond human comprehension. By highlighting differences between reality and fiction, it gives a whole-hearted impression of solitude and understanding that allows for healthy emotions, while allowing for more immersion when presenting outrageous storms or flying flamingos that manage to exist only in the realm of imagination and wonder.
Everything in the titular “kingdom of the winds” is represented with a 70’s/80’s kalidoscopic energy that harkens back to the days of old-fashioned 2D animation. All of the buildings look like they could've come straight out of a Dr. Seuss book, with zany character designs and landscapes to boot. It works best when dabbling in the surreal (candy-eating vultures, boundless bodies, transporting hopscotches, just to name a few). Because of this, the style is never dull and is instead stunningly enlightening.
The animation is fast-paced, rhythmic, and detailed. It never manages to feel silted or ill-mannered in form and energy. There’s surprisingly a bit of comic relief here in the form of a malfunctioning toy, and his incongruent statements add a dash of brevity to the comedy.
Sirocco and the Kingdom of the Winds takes viewers on a refreshingly mystical ride that appeals to the surreal while also grounding itself to present valuable messages of friendship and sibling bonds.
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