Der Eisbärkönig

I first saw this movie when I was about 7 and I loved it. It has enjoyable characters, and a interesting (but understandable to children)plot. Now a teenager, I came across this movie again and checked it out, curious if I would respond to it the same way. I did! The special effects are definetly not spectacular, but it is still a wonderful story.I recomend this movie to people who love fairytales, or childrens movies or your basic uplifting, romance, "good verses evil" plot. I would give this movie 7/10 stars. Definately a family film.

This film is very emotionally detached. In the way it is acted, the way it's told and presented, the way the audience receives and relates. You'll receive the story, but won't ever really feel any of the emotion. Perhaps this is because, as others have mentioned, the story is presented as if you were sitting around the fire, safely out of the action, being told the tale by some storyteller, with the visuals to go along. But even the facial expressions, especially of the princess, are shallow, vague, and distant. Besides that, there is very little character development, especially of King Valemon. But probably the most emotional part of the movie is at the end, when he pretends to be mean. To me, at least, this part comes off as the most "real" in all the film. So you'll learn the traditional story, but you won't really know the characters.

This movie reminds me of the Princess Bride, but is slower and more detached.

People wanting great special effects or a rather adult plot will be disappointed. This movie is wonderful in context with its true purpose. It's a fairy tale...a child's folklore...and a great rendition of such at that. I first watched this movie when I was eight or nine and immediately fell in love with it. It contains all the elements of a classic fairy tale. Also, the Scandinavian influence in the movie is remarkable. As i have matured over the years, i am no longer as captivated by the movie. However, this movie still embodies what is good about a child's fairy tale. It is still great to watch when you feel like being a little kid once again.

By no means is this a fabulous movie, there are infinitely better films. Truthfully, there are much higher rated movies that are much much worse than this one. However, it is a wonderful retelling of the children's book. As a family film - 6 and 12 year olds - we enjoyed this film. The scenery is wonderful, stark as it should be.

It is difficult to judge this movie for me, as a Norwegian, because I've heard this fairytale since I was a child. The story is an old folk tale, written down in the mid 1800, by the "folk tale collectors" Asbjørnsen and Moe. The tale is very similar to both "the beauty and the beast", and especially the old Greek myth of Eros and Psyche.

The tale is built up as an ordinary fairytale, with the "3-times rule" and the moral. This movie can be a bit boring, and confusing, if you don't know the story. That is why my vote for the movie is 5, and an extra point for the fabulous fairytale:) I encourage anyone to read the tale of "Kvitebjørn KOng Valemon", especially if they would like to watch this movie.