What’s great about writer-director Karey Kirkpatrick’s child-friendly film “Smallfoot” is that it doesn’t give any false promises of grandeur but delivers more than what you were hoping for.
I have to admit that, at first, there was no excitement whatsoever for the movie. What’s to rave about a group of yetis, right? I’ve seen more interesting stories. Then I watched it and by the time it was over, I realized that it is not just one entertaining film, it’s one of the smartest and most thought-provoking animated movies of late.
Migo (Channing Tatum), next in line to becoming the gong ringer of his tribe, is the typical straight-edge teen. He lives high in the Himalayas, atop a shroud of clouds with a harmonious yeti population. He follows after his dad (Danny DeVito) and takes to heart all the tribe’s rules, which are engraved in stone.
He doesn’t go against any commandments because he feels it’s the right thing to do to ensure peace and harmony. He even avoids questioning things (one of their rules is to suppress curiosity) and abides by all the ancient teachings.
That is until a gong practice goes wrong and he is thrown into the other side of the mountain. There he encounters, for the very first time, a human being–what they refer to as a smallfoot–and was both thrilled and shocked by the discovery.
Knowing from their history that no such thing (or monster) exists, he excitedly relays his encounter with the rest of his unbelieving tribe.
With his integrity challenged, Migo must find a way to prove he’s not lying and regain his place in the community that banished him. With the help of the tribe elder’s daughter Meechee (Zendaya) and a few other friends, Migo embarks on a mission to find a smallfoot to bring home.
There’s a lot going on in the movie which was impeccably contained thanks to the scriptwriters’ (John Requa, Glenn Ficarra, Sergio Pablos, and Kirkpatrick) formidable writing.
They were able to create a story that is highly entertaining yet tells a lot about the various themes. Migo’s search for truth complicates the very nature of his species’ existence. By saying he saw a smallfoot, he challenges thousands of years’ worth of stories and lessons that have been passed down from generation to generation. He basically spat on the very thing that’s sacred to them: the stones.
And that goes against his values of obedience. However, it also goes against his value of honesty. He knows he’s telling the truth but can he live with himself when by proving himself means the destruction of his community.
It’s really interesting (and impressive) how the script was able to delve into these complicated issues that sparks deep thinking while making the entire thing look, feel, and sound light-hearted.
It’s definitely something kids will love. It’s hilarious and have cute moments with the song numbers. The gags were also very entertaining, which is why when the time came for the movie to address its more serious themes, it didn’t feel forced or too burdensome.
It will make you laugh while seriously contemplating on the impact of the characters’ decisions when faced against their motivations.
It will also force you to contemplate. If the truth is important, then how come it needs to be hidden for the sake of peace?
Is it more important to prove the truth even if it means endangering the lives of everyone you hold dear?
When is deception okay? When is it alright to give up? Is it selfish to pursue self-preservation?
These are just some of the things Migo and the smallfoot Percy (James Corben), a media personality on the verge of desperation, will teach you.
The dynamic between the two is very reflective of today’s society and, therefore, holds the lesson that we need.
Each one thinks the other is a monster, which is why their encounter is such a hilarious eye-opener, giving us a good example of how much perceptions can really shape our reality–and how it can have negative consequences.
There’s one part of the movie where Migo and Percy try to communicate with each other. And even without any common ground in language–to the humans, the yeti sounds ferociously wild while to the yetis the humans have this squeaky, high-pitch sound that’s equally terrifying for them–they were able to understand each other.
That’s one of the hidden gems of the movie. The notion that language doesn’t restrict communication; that with a little bit of effort and willingness to observe, watch, and listen, species will be able to understand each other even without spoken language.
And that’s beautiful for me. That, and the many other things in the story that will make you ponder about how you and your perceptions affect your behavior towards others.
“Smallfoot” is a hilarious and entertaining movie that will make you think. But one thing’s for sure: you don’t have to think twice about watching this.
Photos courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures
