nickjeromana

I have been following Wizart (Russia) since their first film in 2012 (The Snow Queen), which I actually LIKED BETTER than I did Frozen ((just a tiny bit more)).

Each film Wizart has made has progressively improved with each entry. The "Snow Queen 3: Fire and Ice" demonstrated that they could inspire a Disney legend enough to drive him to travel all the way to Russia to give them a helping hand. He helped write and direct sequels to both their Snow Queen and Sheep and Wolves franchises. (I am a fan of "Snow Queen: Mirrorlands"!)

Wizart is demonstrating that it is all grown up with its latest entry "Secret Magic Control Agency" (or SMCA going forward).

Just like with Gerda and Kai (Snow Queen), SMCA makes it clear from the start that FAMILY is a very important element of Wizart's stories.

This story follows two siblings that are separated by their differences in lifestyle values and have decided the best thing to do is leave each other alone.

However, the King has been abducted and the Secret Agency forces "Agent Gretel" (a very strict, by the rules, always serious character) to team up with her brother Hansel (a goofy, anything goes, carefree character) in order to find him. One Transmutation Potion later (now thinking of Sheep and Wolves) they become the very kids from the classic fairytale.... just add in an adorable "sprinkle-faced cookie dog" and we're all set!

The adventure is quite engaging and colorful, and can be a bit fast-paced. I just loved how they paid homage to the source fairy tale in how the (now kids) venturing to the house where the witch would try to eat the children... amidst other easter eggs that are "sprinkled" throughout the movie. That and the many different ways to use pastry batter to create strange cookie monsters.... oh!

The downside to this film if there is one would be that there wasn't many noteworthy "quotable" lines nor any musical scores that would leave you humming the theme after the movie was over. This is an unfortunate thing for an animated film since even Snow Queen: Mirrorlands had moments that were easily quotable upon the first watch through.

All in all, feel like I could watch it multiple times (with Family) and still find it entertaining. Definitely Wizart's best film yet!

I hope that this film isn't jailed to Netflix forever and gets to see a Blu-ray/DVD and Digital Download release. I also anxiously await for Wizart's next big feature as they have yet to disappoint me with their films. And finally, I really wish Wizart had some kind of merchandising department that sold their film's characters (t-shirts, toys, memorabilia... maybe soundtracks......)

First, let me just state that I support Locus/Sidus Animation and greatly anticipate their growth as they continue to produce great films like this one. I also hope that they become a well-recognized name in years to come. If Red Shoes is the film that launches them forward, then this was a great way to start. This film offers a great message delivered through a familiar fairytale while offering their own little twist keeping the film fresh and fun. There are so many great ideas present in this film that leaves the doors open for possible spinoff stories that could develop off of this one. The animation takes full advantage of visual and technical elements that computer animation has to offer while keeping the atmosphere bright and colorful. Accompanied with a stunning soundtrack including 3 songs that are quite catching.

My favorite aspect of this film is that the story is SIMPLE. Not trying to overcomplicate a fairytale. Just simple and timeless.

My only real criticism is a missing sequence at the start of the climax that does momentarily break the continuity of the story. However, despite the absence of this scene, I don't see it as being an element that would completely ruin the film overall.

At least for me, This is the start of something so right.

............. The first thoughts I had with this movie. Let's talk about it's good points: the ideas, and many present themselves well. What caught me was this scene with food attacking the princess. I won't lie simple scenes throughout the movie were actually impressive, but they only survived as solo ideas, and not so much as a complete film. Problems.... animation felt stiff at times, some shots were odd compositions, and the characters felt like plastic more than like soft skin. Pacing sometimes was awkward.

In the first 15 minutes of the film they did a bit of copy and paste from Disney's Aladdin. (I almost never accuse anyone of that unless it is THAT obvious, sorry it kinda was)

At the 20 minute mark things did get better, but by then you're audience is probably turned away, or very uncomfortable.

Sorry, but I'm hoping that Wizart will have better luck with this fairytale in 2020.