Peti leptir

As an elementary school teacher, I have the history with the novel the film was based on. In a last two years, many kids chooses Fifth butterfly as optional reading. Class discussions were interesting, everybody took part and I was curious to learn if the film does the book a justice. It was easy to spot that differences in plot are results of cheaper options (army of living dead instead of wild dogs and wolves). Although I missed something that I was hoping to see, and saw something that I would rather left out, the film qualifies itself as a pretty successful rendition. But I must leave a sort of reserve here, my conclusion is that any review based on a standards of grown ups in this case is futile. I easily noticed that children watch this film with completely different eyes than grown ups. They are not that much analytical, they do not look for logic discrepancies, they like nice scenery's but will not complain on any minor flaw. For them film just works or not. If they don't like it, they become nervous, popcorn starts flying around and they are noisy, which wasn't the case here. And I believe this is the same everywhere. That's the reason why so many people disregard the films made for kids, they are just not meant for them. This film stands firm for itself and I can recommend it to all, irrelevant if they read the book or not.

As I usually do, I checked the IMDb for reviews before deciding to watch this movie. Only one I found, was so bad, it actually helped me decide to go, especially after checking the reviewers list of favorite titles. Come on people, how many regular movie goers even heard of Uwe Boll to make it significant mentioning it. Anyway, this review just made me wonder can anything be that bad. And as I suspected, review proved to be ungrounded exaggeration of evident flaws of the film and outburst of something that sounds like personally motivated hatred (to whoever it was intended). Although far from perfect, film have some problems with rhythm and narration which can make it harder for kids to solve the puzzle, but some things must be praised. Despite it's sporadic problems, film functions well as a whole. Acting is excellent, kids are surprisingly good. Make up, costumes, score, and overall technical achievements are by far superior to anything I saw in low budget Serbian film. Some elements, like cinematography and production design are top notch. And mind you, I am an avid supporter of domestic film, I watched almost everything ever made in Serbia. Therefore, I am used to judge the films by our local standards. Judging the production values of Serbian film by absolute global standards is unfair, at least because this one probably cost one tiny fraction of Hellboy budget, for example. Not that taking that into account would make it better, but relevant facts should be put into perspective. Acting school, tradition and character of Serbian films are just on the opposite side of Hellboy and whoever puts Hellboy on his list of favorite titles have the right to vote of course, but will most probably dislike anything Serbian, with exception of comedies...maybe. And to make it absolutely clear, it is a kids movie. In a mixed crowd of close to 100 people, more than half of them were kids. You can't trick them, judging by their response it was more than clear that they loved it.

It would be honest to start by saying that I watched this film by accident. Me and my two kids (9 and 11) were late for Peddington and preferred this one over the one more Santa movie. It was definitely the right choice and surprisingly pleasant viewing. Although it started slowish, gradually raised the pace and it was involving throughout to the end. Good acting, competent CGI, visually stunning, and kids were amazed, can't ask for more. Only serious downside was a bit complicated storyline, my kids obviously missed a point here and there and some explaining was in order. It appears to be based on a children's novel, which neither of us read, and that's something at least kids have to do now. I was especially satisfied to learn that there are some children's films that doesn't necessarily have to be about cats, dogs, squirrels or Teddy Bears. This is by far more challenging viewing for kids although still being a kind of fairy tale magic. Sometimes the nice things come unexpected and such experiences should be shared.

Two years ago, my daughter almost forced me to read the Uros Petrovic's kids novel Fifth Butterfly. She was a fun of his prose and I couldn't avoid reading it. Although it was a fun read, when I recently saw the film adds I started thinking of an excuse to skip it, but end up watching it anyway. Since it wasn't my movie of choice for a weekend out, I didn't expect much but it turned out to be quite good. It was long since my last Serbian film and this one really seems like something new and exiting, even for someone my age. I don't recall watching anything I can compare with this before. Not to mention kids, it looked like most of them are familiar with the book. One more thing struck me. I am avoiding 3D films lately, they are just too offensive visually for me. This time, we sat mid 7th row and everything looked right, like we were in a hot spot. I don't know is this a good or bad 3D, but I definitely didn't get a headache. I recommend this film for age 10+, and parents will have their share of fun also, more so if they are admirers of some of the best Serbian actors casted here.