Movie Title: LEAP
Grade: A-
Rating: PG, 89 minutes
In a Nutshell: This gorgeous family-friendly film paints
Paris with an incredibly charming stroke, created by the L’Atelier Animation
Studio in France. You’re easily
transported back to 19th Century France.
I love titles that have double meanings. While the orphan Felicie’s dream was to
produce the incredible leap she had seen a ballerina make once, the film also
encourages us all to take a leap of faith and hard work to make our dreams come
true.
Uplifting theme:
- Passion
- Dream
big and take action.
- You
are unique. Don’t let anyone tell
you that you’re nothing.
- Persistence,
hard work, tenacity
Things I liked:
- Catchy
theme song. All of the music was infectiously good and included a lot of lovely songs unfamiliar to Americans, as
well as a few faves like “Suitcase” by Sia, and “Confident” by Demi
Lovato. Carly Rae Jepsen voices
Odette, and also sings and wrote several of the songs.
- The
scene where Victor tells Felicie about his first day in Paris was hilarious. Excellent animation stops and sequences.
- Felicie’s
training sequence was really cute and as inspirational as any sports movie
training montage.
- Elle
Fanning voices Felicie, whose dream it is to dance in the Nutcracker
Ballet. Elle Fanning actually
performed in The Nutcracker 3D (2010 movie).
- Maddie
Ziegler voices Camille. She’s a
dancer in real life, having appeared on Dance Moms in 2011.
- Victor
was voiced by Dane DeHaan in the international version of the film. Nat Wollf was used in the American
release.
- It’s
well balanced in comedy, magic, and drama.
- The
ballet battle between Felicie and Camille before the big evening
performance was adorable and hilarious.
- It
feels like a European animation, because, it is. Originally, it was entitled “Ballerina”, which
is the version I first saw.
- It was
choreographed by Aurelie Dupont and Jeremie Belingard. The dancing animation in the beginning
felt a little off, but by the end it was perfect.
- The film appears to have a deeper origin. Director and writer Eric Summer also comes from Brittany where the story begins.
Things I didn’t like:
- Some of the animation looked rushed and out of sync, particularly in the beginning.
- The underdog plot isn’t unique, but it’s still very sweet.
- Most of the characters are thin archetypes.
- Some critics don't like the fact that pop music is played, insisting it should all be classical ballet music like Tchaikovsky, but that didn't bother me at all. I actually liked it.
- Other critics complain that the filmmakers didn't do their research for historical accuracy. For example, were there motorcycles in France in the 1800's as this movie supposes? It turns out that yes, there were in the later half of the 1800's, just about the same time the Statue of Liberty was being built.
Funny lines:
- “Thank
you Mother Superior. And may I just
say that you’re looking very superior today?” – Victor
- “Who
is that?” Felicie (Elle Fanning)
“Rudy.” – Dora (Elana Dunkelman)
“From the top boys’ class, holder
of the best cheekbones at the Opera award.
I love him. He’s so blonde and
shiny.” – Nora (Shoshana Sperling)
- “How
is that pick-up line working for you?” – Felicie
- “I am
loving your apron!” – Victor
- “Paris! City of romance. City of Dreams! City of Romance! City of Pigeons!” – Victor
Interesting lines:
- It’s
when you’re tired you start to progress.” – Odette (Carly Rae Jepsen)
- “Tired
is for losers.” – Regine (Julie Khaner)
- “There’s
a difference between being ready and being ready to do it well. That’s why we train every day.” – Odette
Tips for
parents:
- This
is an enjoyable film for all ages.
It’s funny, sweet, and inspiring.
- Several
fart jokes.
- Your
little ballerina daughter will be very inspired and want to see the Nutcracker Ballet.
- I
really like how the movie features two children with dreams, who don’t
just fantasize about what they want to do, but are willing to work hard to
achieve it.
- No
profanity.
- Some
bullying.
- Some
animated moments of peril.
MOVIE REVIEW MOM
@trinaboice
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