Scarygirl

This film is intriguing and imaginative, with excellent world building and well developed characters.

The world of scary girl has far more depth developed than any modern Disney film. There is an obvious love of the story and world from the studio here that just isn't seen in most modern films. The story stays true to the source material, and doesn't try to insert any agenda's that don't fit the subject.

The voice acting is well done, and cinematography on point.

The only criticism is the animation isn't as polished as is seen in many modern animated movies. However the choice of stop-motion animation is largely the reason here, and arguably is the right choice for the subject material. What is done with the budget available is still well done.

Overall I and my kids thoroughly enjoyed this film, and we were all happy to re-watch a few days later. Highly recommended.

"Arkie" lives with her octopus dad "Blister" on the peninsula where he does his best to harness the sunlight to protect the delicately balanced eco-structure. She's not an octopus, though - more a sort of hybrid of human being with just the one green tentacle, and she's not great when it comes to helping out with the complexities of her dad's intricate contraptions for distributing the sunlight. Meantime, "The Keeper" in the nearby city of light has tasked some searchers to seek out her dad. Her boss "Dr. Maybee" is convinced that he possesses the energy necessary to repatriate him with his long lost daughter. When "Blister" is duly apprehended, "Arkie" must follow him into the big city with her new friends "Bunniguru" the rabbit and 'Egg" to thwart his plan before her father is little better than a cephalopod smoothie. Loads of daft adventures, a menacing baddie who looks like the love child of Terence Stamp and Lionel Jeffries and gadgets and gizmos now feature as the rescue begins. The writing isn't the best but the characters are quite good fun with plenty going on and an underlying environmental message that's presented to us whimsically rather than imposed upon us. The storyline presents us with the usual character virtues of loyalty, friendship and determination and there's quite a bit of imagination gone into the look of this film. I was on my own in the cinema for this screening, which was a bit of a shame - it is worth a trip to see the colourful animation to best effect - it will look really ordinary of the television.

So, yeah... this wasn't a bad little film. At the beginning, I didn't think I was going to like it, because it looked it was going to be your usual environmental flick, but... while there is a bit of that to the plot, it's not "hit you over the head" overt propaganda.

Throughout the film, I did keep asking myself, what kind of acid where these people on when they were creating this... and why ain't they sharing!? I mean, this is is wacky, freaky stuff.

As for the title, though.. "Scarygirl"... there is nothing "scarygirl" about it. The description, doesn't give an accurate picture of this, either. I was expecting... well, more of a Halloween kind of flick. Instead, it's a weird mishmash of sci-fi and fantasy. There's DNA sequencing, mutants, otherworldly travel, and an anthropomorphic egg. Yeah.. you heard me.

Oh... but... I'm not entirely sure that it's appropriate for small children. There are a couple of scenes... man, they are going to give some kiddies nightmares. I ain't talking disney Fantasia nightmares. Just watch it first to be sure your kids are good with it.

Other than that, all in all, I'd recommend it if you have a night to kill.

Giving this a 7/ 10

Based on Graphic Novel from 10 years ago, I found this film very sweet and simple. I feel that the look will put everyone off, but don't let the character designs put you off.

The cast includes Sam Neill, Anna Torv, Remy Hii, Tim Minchin, and Jillian Nguyen and the lead. Loads of fun I hope they had, as the players are all super weird and quirky, but in a good way.

The story is very simple and aimed at kids, but the themes of loss, the environment, gambling and revenge, carry through the movie are very adult. There is nothing that will offend anybody, and the art design and sound is very colourful, it's all very good, short too. Just needed more on the story and this could be a real classic of an animated film. It's a great film that does work in the cinema.

From the very first moment things begin to spring to life, 'Scarygirl' is a phenomenal visual delight that's difficult to describe to those unfamiliar with creator Nathan Jurevicius' 'Scarygirl' books, artwork, games, vinyl figures or other short films.

Psychedelic-like colours fill the screen with strange characters and wondrous settings the entire time and draw you in to the beautiful, mysterious world of 'Scarygirl' in an almost hypnotic manner. Animated in a way reminiscent of stop-motion films gives it great depth and a very three dimensional look, that also reflects the appearance of Nathan's past vinyl figures & mini figures / sets.

The casting is as equally stunning, particularly Jillian Nguyen who was perfect as the voice of central character, 'Arkie'. As was Deborah Mailman as 'Treedweller' and Sam Neill as 'Dr. Maybee'- with Dr. Maybee even kinda resembling Sam Neill (or vice versa?) at times.

I also loved Mark Coles Smith as 'River Bandit', who not only speaks but also makes some great crazy noises, that along with 'Rebel King', voiced by Dylan Alcott, are referred to together as the 'Wild Boys'.

A beautiful story that is visually compelling and sonically brilliant with a wonderful cast.