Zog

An absolutely wonderful piece of TV to watch with your children. Funny and creative. Animation is great. Voices too. Hope they do more than two. Love them both.

This last Christmas the animation from the BBC was another in a handful of film adapting Donaldson's children's books. This one sees a young dragon learning his trade, and when he keep messing up, there is a young girl around to help him out here and there (a girl who also is struggling to learn her 'trade'). The structure of the lesson allows for an engaging episodic approach to the film, and the events are played out with humor. Not really laugh out loud funny often, but amusing and cheering across it all.

The animation matches the style of the book well, and looks great - Zog himself is a nice character and none of these dragons will cause bad dreams. The plot ends with a positive message which applies to everyone, but in particular leans into the female character for its delivery. It is a very positive message and it was only the cynic in me that rankled a bit at how clunky it was played out - very direct. Of course then I remember I was watching a children's film based on a children's book, so probably it deserves a pass. The voice cast feels overly starry; they do well but some of them feel almost like distractions - they are cast for this film as an 'event', which I suppose is fine as they do work.

Like most of the Donaldson animated films, not the deepest or most impacting film, but enjoyable, accessible, and with a nice easy message.

Zog is a klutzy dragon learning from teacher Madam Dragon (Tracey Ullman). He's the biggest dragon in the class, but the worst student. He is desperate to earn a gold star, but he never does. Young princess Pearl sneaks out of her mansion and finds an injured Zog. They become fast friends. The class is tasked with capturing princesses, but Zog is not good this either.

This is a fun little children's animated short. With all the rhythming, it's obviously adapted from a children's book. It's sweet and charming. It's a good story, but it does take a weird left turn at the end. It's an interesting and unlikely turn.

When I told my kid that they will make a Zog movie, he kept pestering me for half a year when it will come. When it finally did, it was a marvelous short film that used some old stereotypes from kids stories, and turned them into something new and fit for today's world. Most of all, it teaches young girls that they can be whatever they want, and not only princesses In the castle, waiting for a prince.

The bright orange "Zog" is determined to win a gold star from his teacher at dragon school, but to be honest - he isn't really very good. His flying is dangerous for just about all concerned; his roaring wouldn't scare the skin off a custard so he's pinning his hopes on capturing a princess. Fortunately, he has already befriended a young girl "Pearl", so you can imagine his delight when he discovers that she's really of royal blood, bored and actually wants to be rescued. Thing is, though, her kingly uncle wants her back so despatches the brave "Sir Gadabout" to retrieve her. A duel of epic proportions looms, but who will win? It's perhaps five minutes too long, this, but it's still an enjoyably vibrant (almost hallucinogenic) animation that's amusing as the young dragon tries to find his feet/wings/fire-breathing skills whilst the rebellious "Pearl" is desperate to escape the boredom of her life. The narration is largely in an amiable rhyme, the score has a simple jollity to it and there are just about enough escapades to keep it fun.