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While period dramas are a surefire way to attract a crowd, war films remain some of the most enthralling and spectacular encapsulations of bygone eras. They’re emotionally compelling snapshots of past generations’ struggles. More often than not, they also double as satisfying answers to humanity’s most morbid questions. There’s nothing new about the genre, either. They’ve existed since the invention of film. George Méliès, one of the most prolific early filmmakers, created plenty of prototype wartime docudramas. Though remarkably rudimentary by modern standards, his short works — with such descriptive titles as French Officers’ Meeting and A Naval Review at Cherbourg — represent some of humanity’s oldest war movies.

Of course, modern genre works are more complex. Films like Napoleon and 1917 are high-budget spectacles of cinematic magic. These immersive experiences are perfectly capable of dragging audiences through the mud, grime, and horror of war. However, they’re far from exclusive.

There is something rather charming about Dreambuilders, the new feature from Hydralab animation studio and director Kim Hagen Jensen. It is a shamelessly derivative patchwork of locations, character arcs and story beats borrowed from elsewhere but there is a sweetness about the film which inclines us to cut it some slack.

Minna and her father have built a happy life together, both a little bruised by the absence of Minna’s musician mum who left many years before to follow her dreams. The two have fallen into familiar patterns which punctuate their days; they dance together in the kitchen to the sounds of a Mariachi band and play endless games of chess.

In her dreams, however, a more unsettled Minna is revealed. Change is coming to her cosy household and the big-hearted little girl fears the havoc it will wreak. Behind the scenes her dream-builder, Gaff (Luke Griffin), is concerned...