Bunny and the Bull

As a fan of The Mighty Boosh, I'm surprised that it took me so long to get around to watching this film; my girlfriend hating the Boosh probably was part of it but either way I finally got to seeing it recently. The film is a story of a young man who is a recluse and has not left the house in over a year and seems unable to do so in the near future. Closed into a carefully organised prison of his own making, he remembers the last time he left the house – an European road trip with his friend Bunny which involved a Polish tramp, a Spanish bullfighter, a feisty waitress and a massive stuffed bear.

The connection to Boosh is apparent not only in the writer/director and small roles for Fielding and Barratt but just in the construct of the film from the very start. It has a certain oddness to the telling and it makes for a surreal story even though it is a simple one if you wrote it down in bullet points. The whole thing is delivered in this semi-real world where animation means reality – and I don't mean in a "Cool World" sort of way but rather in a beautifully seamless way of backgrounds, of little flourishes and generally the design of everything – all having the effect of bringing reality and memory together so that objects often have significance within the presentation. I loved this aspect of the film and it constantly enchanted me with how creative it was. Sadly the overall story didn't quite match up to this and I didn't find myself quite as charmed or tickled by the main thrust of the film – it is OK, but never hilarious nor as clever as I had hoped.

This noticeably changes when Fielding and Barratt have their turns in the film. Fielding is fun as the bullfighter, but it is Barratt who really steals the film with his character – a character that is repulsive but yet funny, terrifying but quite enigmatic; he is very funny indeed. Hogg in the lead is a little bit weak but is rather blank slate approach does work. In regards Farnaby I had doubts and continue to have them. He works when the material helps him, but at times he is a bit too basic and lacking in the presence and character that the Boosh duo brought to their roles – OK they had the laughs to help them, but still, Farnaby doesn't totally work for me in this casting. I really liked the spirit and accent of Echegui and I also appreciated seeing Ayoade in a small role.

Bunny and the Bull is definitely worth a look if you love the Boosh, because the humour is very much in that ilk and the semi-animated world is really well constructed and delivered. It isn't as brilliant as I had hoped though and I wish it had been funnier and smarter in the latter stages, but it is wonderfully surreal throughout and I enjoyed it quite a lot on that basis.

Probably one of the most anticipated movies of the year for me. The trailer really didn't do the movie justice. The story is essentially an adventure/drama (with a few comedy touches) but there's no denying that it's marginally darker than pretty much anything from the Mighty Boosh (if that's what you're expecting). The movie's visuals have pretty much been mentioned in every review, and they're are a very important part of the movie: fantastical, naive, fairytale-like, psychedelic. The movie never really lapses into reality for longer than a few minutes, which really plays into King's style of directing. The lead characters are really charming and believable, but the writing, especially the dialog was really lacking. It's almost impossible not to compare King's writing to Barrat/Fielding's because of the nature of the film and many characters being played by the cast of the show and it really doesn't compare in my opinion. However it's still a really touching and enjoyable film that has some of the most inventive visuals I have ever seen.

This film is definitely not for everyone, a real love it or hate it. It is a little surreal but at its heart, its a nice little story of friendship.In short, an agoraphobic man tries to work up the courage to leave his house. Much of the film is his memories of a road trip he took with his best friend. I guess bunny and the bull can be categorised as a comedy, but the humour is mild and a little dark. For me the unique element to this film is the quirky cinematography separating memories from reality. The final five minuets of this film are well worth waiting for. This movie is without doubt a one off and very British. There is no guarantee you will enjoy this film......but watch it anyway! (Its only 100 mins of your life)

Bunny and the Bull is a really good debut for writer & director Paul King whilst offering early proof of how rewarding his collaborations with Simon Farnaby can be. It's a debut in every sense of the word because the collision of ideas here don't entirely coalesce but the sheer inventiveness of what it's doing never runs out and also powers through most of the flaws. The style outweighs the substance and it's funny and stylish enough to compensate.

Edward Hogg brings a believability to his character's awkwardness which makes him a likeable protagonist and naturally enhances the situational comedy. Simon Farnaby is a lot more confident and self obsessed so he pairs well with Hogg. There's undoubtedly some fun to be had seeing someone who's synonymous with the kid friendly Horrible Histories be truly let off the leash in a much more adult film that gives him the opportunity to swear, be raunchy and even bare all.

Paul King's direction has an endless supply of whimsy working with the low budget. Every new location is a delight as they come up with really fun ways to showcase different countries without ever leaving the UK, utilising everyday items in the best ways. Even though the content is more adult, it's still clear this is the creative team who'd go on to make Paddington, especially in the ending that really goes for the emotion and acts as a noble first attempt of something they'd only get better at.

What makes this film absolutely sublime is the lingering melancholy - faint yet stubbornly persistent - ubiquitous through all the quirky, surreal, and comical sequences. It's never self-indulgent or over-sentimental. All elements, be it emotions, performances, sets, character development, or animation, are well-controlled and contained as a proper English would have it; yet it's radical, outrageous, bold, and sometimes uncomfortably daring. Elegance rises through vulgarity, and (almost unbearable) sadness screams silently. This film is unique, delightful, touching, funny, and yes, wicked. It's not Boosh but fans or otherwise shall be pleasantly surprised.