Strange Magic

"Strange Magic" is a fun, entertaining musical. If you watch the film without expecting "Hamilton" out of it, you would be well pleased.

All too often, fun, children's movies fall victim to stinging reviews from jaded movie critics who expect "Taxi Driver" from children's fairy tales. The initial negative critical reception of "Strange Magic" is a perfect example of how such mismatched critical expectation can wreak havoc on a perfectly entertaining movie.

With a colorful, over-the-top cast of characters with ticklish absurdity, and seamlessly integrated pop-rock karaoke performances, "Strange Magic" is an entertaining oddball sketch of the early millennial spirit wrapped into "A Midsummer Night's Dream." The film is a crowd pleasing cult classic in the spirit of "Willow."

I read the reviews and watched the trailer with my 6 y/o daughter before going to see it, so I wasn't expecting much. I was happily surprised and frankly, I liked it! It isn't Pixar, by far, but the animation wasn't bad at all. The characters weren't cheesy, and the animators did well to give them a full range of emotion. The voice actors did pretty well, though a lot of the music were the characters singing short covers of hits that didn't play all that well. Still, my daughter never noticed or complained. The background of the forests was done quite well too, especially the dark forest and black castle. The plot was a bit predictable, but the humor was there for both adults and children, and several times the entire audience laughed at the jokes. It's a kids movie, after all, but what was not to like? Not a bad way to spend a rainy afternoon.

I was worried that a few of the parts would be too scary for my daughter, but overall she liked it too. Of course, it ends with a happy ending for everybody. Can't beat that.

I won't be first on the list to buy this, but if I see it in the $5 bin at Walmart, I will buy it. Like I said, I liked it.

Good visual graphics. Interesting choice of characters. So much non-stop singing. Maybe, it would have made a difference if all the songs were original. The message is not to insult physically "good-looking" people. It only reminds us and re-affirms that "beauty" and "love" is not skin deep. It is not something superficial. It is not something you see only with just your two eyes. It may not suit the majority's approval because it is not-so-stereo-typical kind of fantasy story like the "beauty and the beast" and "princess kissing a frog prince". Definitely for the kids with pure heart. Not recommended for highly superficial-minded adults.

Strange Magic is a not an animated film for kids, more directed to teens and adults. This is an odd film, a mix of The Princes Bride meets Tim Burton's world and they sing Moulin Rouge style.

The main virtues of the film are, beyond the beautiful animation and character design, the quirkiness of it. To me, the most important thing in movies that are derivative an predictable like this one is the sense of humour and the message conveyed. Strange Magic was funny to me, and found myself laughing more than once. The message if is not new, but important to recall it, there is a lid for every pot, love comes in all colors and shapes, and love happens between people who are, a priori, very different and even opposite. The film is unpretentious, and the familiar soundtrack will keep you (or at least me) singing along.

The cast does a good job at providing the characters with their voice and songs. I especially liked Allan Cumming as Bog King and Elijah Kelly as Sunny.

There is strange magic in this film, because from the known and predictable we get something magic, perhaps just hocus-pocus, and a freaky love story. I think this is one of those movies you really like or dislike, nothing in between. I did find it very enjoyable, but I had no expectations about it, so that always helps.

I just discovered this movie on Disney+ for the first time today. My two year old was intrigued by the picture so instead of the Baymax series (totally recommend btw, it's adorable) for the 100th time, I clicked on this. He was enthralled for a good hour, which has NEVER happened with a tv show or movie. It's an interesting little film. The visuals are cool and the music is fun. It's not Oscar caliber or anything, and not nearly as funny as something like Shrek, but it's got its laugh out loud moments. Overall, cool movie that got me some solid snuggle time with my normally never still toddler, so it's a win for me!