Arkie und die Stadt des Lichts

Giving this a 7/ 10

Based on Graphic Novel from 10 years ago, I found this film very sweet and simple. I feel that the look will put everyone off, but don't let the character designs put you off.

The cast includes Sam Neill, Anna Torv, Remy Hii, Tim Minchin, and Jillian Nguyen and the lead. Loads of fun I hope they had, as the players are all super weird and quirky, but in a good way.

The story is very simple and aimed at kids, but the themes of loss, the environment, gambling and revenge, carry through the movie are very adult. There is nothing that will offend anybody, and the art design and sound is very colourful, it's all very good, short too. Just needed more on the story and this could be a real classic of an animated film. It's a great film that does work in the cinema.

"Arkie" lives with her octopus dad "Blister" on the peninsula where he does his best to harness the sunlight to protect the delicately balanced eco-structure. She's not an octopus, though - more a sort of hybrid of human being with just the one green tentacle, and she's not great when it comes to helping out with the complexities of her dad's intricate contraptions for distributing the sunlight. Meantime, "The Keeper" in the nearby city of light has tasked some searchers to seek out her dad. Her boss "Dr. Maybee" is convinced that he possesses the energy necessary to repatriate him with his long lost daughter. When "Blister" is duly apprehended, "Arkie" must follow him into the big city with her new friends "Bunniguru" the rabbit and 'Egg" to thwart his plan before her father is little better than a cephalopod smoothie. Loads of daft adventures, a menacing baddie who looks like the love child of Terence Stamp and Lionel Jeffries and gadgets and gizmos now feature as the rescue begins. The writing isn't the best but the characters are quite good fun with plenty going on and an underlying environmental message that's presented to us whimsically rather than imposed upon us. The storyline presents us with the usual character virtues of loyalty, friendship and determination and there's quite a bit of imagination gone into the look of this film. I was on my own in the cinema for this screening, which was a bit of a shame - it is worth a trip to see the colourful animation to best effect - it will look really ordinary of the television.

I took my year 9 students to watch this movie as part of a wellbeing day program. I didn't realise it was an Australian film, which was nice, seeing as I'm Australian.

There was a lot of potential, but I really struggled with the plot and dialogue/script. It could have been geared towards an older audience, but was too simplistic for myself, my colleagues and our students.

Certainly there are some big name actors providing voices, and kudos to them for supporting the Australian film industry.

Hopefully the Australian film industry will get stronger writers in. The talent exists, as witnessed by the many wonderful novels that come from local authors, maybe there isn't enough money at the moment to attract them.

As much as I want to support local, I can't (in good faith) recommend this movie.

This film is intriguing and imaginative, with excellent world building and well developed characters.

The world of scary girl has far more depth developed than any modern Disney film. There is an obvious love of the story and world from the studio here that just isn't seen in most modern films. The story stays true to the source material, and doesn't try to insert any agenda's that don't fit the subject.

The voice acting is well done, and cinematography on point.

The only criticism is the animation isn't as polished as is seen in many modern animated movies. However the choice of stop-motion animation is largely the reason here, and arguably is the right choice for the subject material. What is done with the budget available is still well done.

Overall I and my kids thoroughly enjoyed this film, and we were all happy to re-watch a few days later. Highly recommended.

Just Got out of a Scarygirl Screening.

Elements of the Film -

• 🌷The Flow of this Film was Absolutely Perfect, From Plot point to Plot Point, with Characters Being Added at correct times and/or Engaging with eachother in Important Narrative Moments.

• 🎵 The Score of the Film (especially when in the City) was such a good Vibe.

• 🎶 The Sound Design was well done too, with sounds moving from around the screen to the side speakers of the auditorium.

• 🌆 I liked the Animation Style, it served the film well and the Shots of the City were Gorgeous.

• 📜 The Actual Plotline itself was Very Good, the Filmakers kept it Sort of Hidden for most of the Film and then it reveals itself, which was Excellently Done.

Overall, a Very Well Made Film, with Greatly Paced Narrative Storytelling and a Beautiful Vibe(Especially when they get to the City) & Beautiful Visuals(Again, Especially of the City).