Stick Man

I've not read this book but recently watched this with my toddler. Knowing it comes from the same place as Room on the Broom, and most recently, Zog, I was surprised that it had quite a downbeat tone. Essentially the plot sees Stick Man getting into bad situations, each one taking him further from home and into greater danger. I was surprised on watching that it wasn't lighthearted, it wasn't funny but that it played quite dark. Okay it has the rhyming dialogue that these type of things have, and the animation was rounded and likeable, but the material had that tone to it, and there weren't any laughs to break it up.

Reflecting back, it maybe played well for what it did, because it produced something based on danger and loss, but did it in this animated way that was easier to digest. I can imagine children being a bit saddened, before the magic of the end produces a happy ending, but they will not be overly frightened or threatened by it. My toddler understood the importance of Stick Man's family, and why his situation was bad, but she didn't get upset or bored by it - in this way I think the balance was good and the film's tone carried it off well. Not one of these films that I'll come back to loads, but an interesting change from the other BBC/Donaldson animations.

Stick Man is an endearing adaptation of Julia Donaldson's children's book featuring the voices of Martin Freeman, Sally Hawkins and Hugh Bonneville. It remains faithful to the rhyming text.

Stick Man lives in the family tree with his family. Stick lady and stick kids or should they be twigs?

However while he is out for a jog he gets snatched by a dog and there begins a series of events leading him to be taken further away from home and seemingly no chance of finding his way back to the family tree as the seasons come and go. Luckily for Stick Man there is a festive tinged ending in sight for him.

Stick man takes a lot of knocks in this heart-warming CGI cartoon adaptation but he is a kindly soul but at a loss as to why people do not see him as a person but just as a stick.

As a slightly cynical parent it is easy to be dismissive of these types of Christmas day special cartoons but I found this to be charming.

Nothing special to say about this movie except that it is one of those best cartoons or animations based on a book. Simple, magical, funny, sweet, inspirational. For example it inspired me to build some small device similar to branch and let river or even just a stream bring it to far far away. Something I always imagined as a kid. Also flying in air either in real vehicle or in from of toys like drones. Good for Christmas and New Year. Reminds me of some religious or spiritual teaching that even branches are alive.

Now winter time is a distinctly dangerous time to be a stick. Especially if you are out in the forest minding your own business and encountering people and animals that can find all sorts of uses for you. You can get covered in dogs saliva, or chucked into the river to play a game devised by that yellow bear that liked the honey. You can be set fire to, used as a weave for a bird's nest or even swept out to sea. Indeed, were it not for a complete stroke of luck it might well be that Mrs. Stick and the children three might never again their father see. I enjoyed this colourful animation as we follow the escapades of a dad who epitomises all that I can think to deter one from ever being daft enough to be a jogger! There's loads of wildlife and scenarios that allow the artists to mix the flora and the fauna colourfully and keep the story skipping along entertainingly, with even the slightest hint of (Christmas) jeopardy, as we pass half an hour accompanied by a jolly score and lots of snow. Good fun.

Delightful! An incredible voice cast. Endearing animation. A wonderful, adventurous tale to be revisited often by folks of all ages. I give this film an 8 (delightful) out of 10. {Animated Family Short}