*This review may contain spoilers for “Smallfoot.”*
The traditional story of a human finding Bigfoot has been flipped as of Sept. 28. The animated film, “Smallfoot,” tells the story of Migo, a Yeti, who stumbles upon a human after his plane crashes into the mountains.
Currently, the film has made over $49 million worldwide—and over half of that being domestic.
This Warner Brothers’ film gave viewers a good idea for a story, but lacked execution of substance. The director, Karey Kirkpatrick, knows how to appeal to children and adults, but doesn’t provide a connection to grab the audiences’ full attention.
Starring Channing Tatum, Zendaya, LeBron James, Danny DeVito and Common, the animated film focuses on a bigger picture on how you can’t judge a book by its cover.
Similar to “Monsters Inc.,” the fear of unfamiliarity and curiosity about another species, being humans, is portrayed in both films.
Migo (Tatum) has now been banished for questioning one of the stones, or laws of his home. With the discovery of humans and his banishment, he sets out to prove Smallfoot, the human, is real to his town. Migo goes below the clouds—into nothingness, according to the stones—to find, kidnap and befriend a human.
No one can question the stones, or laws, for they are etched in stone and are worn around the neck of the Stonekeeper (Common).
Meechee (Zendaya) is the daughter of the Stonekeeper, but she is also the leader of the Smallfoot Evidentiary Society (S.E.S.). They believe that all the written stones are lies and support Migo in his expedition for proof of a Smallfoot.
The story begins with Migo’s dad, Dorgle, (DeVito) as the gong ringer in their Himalayan town and one day Migo will take over the job. According to the stones, it is vital for the gong to be rang in the morning in order to wake the orange snail (the sun) in the sky—otherwise it will not rise in the morning.
Through these laws and regulations on the stones, this film portrays a restrictive government or religious like nature in the snowy home the Yetis live in.
With a budget of $80 million, the animated characters lack design and depth compared to the Disney or Pixar characters.
The film features original songs: “Perfection,” “Wonder Life,” “Wonderful Questions,” “Let it Lie,” “Moment of Truth” and “Finally Free.” Another song in the film, “Percy’s Pressure,” is based off of “Under Pressure,” with different lyrics to fit the film.
Similar to the animated film “Trolls,” some of the music is slightly goofy and childish and other songs are more meaningful.
“Smallfoot” is a cute movie for children and families, but don’t expect too much out of it.
