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| Source: Imdb |
This animated movie about an orphan wanting to become a
dancer sets a new record: I was annoyed by the 1 (one) minute mark and bored
out of my mind by 2:30 minutes. Still, I gave this a chance – a chance this
production did not deserve. One thing it does offer, though: excellent material
for a rant! So here goes: Whoever made this clearly had neither the first clue
about animated movies, nor dancing. First off, this animation style does not
lend itself to Disney-2D-movements. It just looks cheap and comical for the
characters to move like that in a 3D setting. Besides, I think it’s highly
dangerous to produce movies for kids where people get bounced around in the manner shown,
bump their heads, jump off buildings and fall from heights with not a scratch
on them. Though I guess the indestructibility fits with their rubbery bodies.
As for the dancing: I have learned ballet for a couple of years, and it just does not work like this. Apart from being insanely difficult, it is so technical that it takes years and years of precise training to get anywhere. It’s not something you learn overnight, and definitely not by practising unrelated movements ala Karate Kid. If this girl had been copying ballerinas in her spare time for years, I might have found it credible that she picked up some moves that she could build on once she got to Paris, but she arrives with no clue. There was just too much suspension of disbelief required. On top of that, the main character is a snotty imbecile with no drive. She thinks that, just because she has a dream, she can dance, but all she does is frolic and when the nice lady tells her training starts at 5am, instead of saying “can we start at 3am?” she goes “5?!” She lacks the conviction and diligence required for this sport. Going on a date with the other dancer when she knows full well – and her trainer tells her so, too – that she should be practising and resting just demonstrates a weak mind and that she doesn’t take things seriously at all. Nobody who really cared about their dream would jeopardizes and ultimately waste their one chance like that: on a whim. Because of that, and her annoying nature, she gets zero sympathy from me for anything. Also, the message this communicates to the (presumably young) audience is quite questionable.
As for the dancing: I have learned ballet for a couple of years, and it just does not work like this. Apart from being insanely difficult, it is so technical that it takes years and years of precise training to get anywhere. It’s not something you learn overnight, and definitely not by practising unrelated movements ala Karate Kid. If this girl had been copying ballerinas in her spare time for years, I might have found it credible that she picked up some moves that she could build on once she got to Paris, but she arrives with no clue. There was just too much suspension of disbelief required. On top of that, the main character is a snotty imbecile with no drive. She thinks that, just because she has a dream, she can dance, but all she does is frolic and when the nice lady tells her training starts at 5am, instead of saying “can we start at 3am?” she goes “5?!” She lacks the conviction and diligence required for this sport. Going on a date with the other dancer when she knows full well – and her trainer tells her so, too – that she should be practising and resting just demonstrates a weak mind and that she doesn’t take things seriously at all. Nobody who really cared about their dream would jeopardizes and ultimately waste their one chance like that: on a whim. Because of that, and her annoying nature, she gets zero sympathy from me for anything. Also, the message this communicates to the (presumably young) audience is quite questionable.
Other assorted rantings: Karate noises during ballet are so inappropriate and
demonstrate once again that the makers of this film have no clue. Also this
really is a terrible orphanage if the kids have to sleep in their day cloths
(or it’s just cheaper to animate to have just one outfit). Only idiots can fall
prey to the misconceptions that chickens don’t fly. They do. Not very far, but
extremely effectively to escape danger... or their human keeper. I know. I’ve
been there.
Bottom line: A complete waste of time with a dangerous message: if you believe in your dream enough, it will magically happen, even if you put up your feet and just dream hard enough. Wrong. If you believe in your dream, you will work for it and MAKE it happen.
1/5 Never again.
Bottom line: A complete waste of time with a dangerous message: if you believe in your dream enough, it will magically happen, even if you put up your feet and just dream hard enough. Wrong. If you believe in your dream, you will work for it and MAKE it happen.
1/5 Never again.
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