A shapeshifting teenage girl teams up with a knight who is in hiding after being accused of killing the kingdom’s queen.
Certificate
Duration99 mins
Review by
I'm surprised that this movie was almost cancelled from Disney Plus but no the new team build it again from scratch from the garbage. Like, this movie doesn't need to exist but I'm so glad Netflix give it a try and also so mad I didn't saw that movie in 2023 for some reason. I know that movie is based on the graphic novel with the same and I haven't read it, yet. Yeah I regret not watching this movie from last year but hey its a year old now (from two months).
Also before I go any further he's a warning : IT CONTAINS SPOILERS! So that's out of the way without a further-a-do lets get into it:
Review:
First of all, the animation is quite amazing. Well despite its Spider-Verse influence I like how this movie shows us the camera angles of how the city works. I love the lighting feel and reflections particular the bar scene. Its so good. I adore the character designs, I love Ballister has the dark clothing while Ambrosius have light clothing reflecting their situations.
I also want to talk about the characters: Nimona is kinda cute. I love that her quirky side reflects her slightly violence side. I maybe not love the Disney Princess quirky side (except for Vanellope obviously and Rapunzel) which I get pretty tried of but here it reflects on her character but I guess that's the heart of the graphic novel . I like that the movie soon learn us that she has been an out cast because she is called an monster from her entire life in a very subtle way.
I like Ballister, I like he struggle after the Queen framed him and he also a good representation of disabled and LGBTQ people. By he's losing he's arm and replace it which a robotic and a friend"ship" to Ambrosius and at the end kissing him. THAT is how you do it, I'm looking at you DISNEY! Compare to Strange World with their gay character Ethan which Disney treats that character like nothing and he's entire personality is based on it and don't have any struggle. Its not bad but treating your people that are supposed to be represented like nothing is (dare I say) insulting.
I love the third act of the movie, I'm a sucker for giant monsters and its very heart warming.
There are a few things I don't like, I didn't like SureBlade, I get he's suppose to be the guy that is kind of a hot shot but I don't know he's kind of annoying for me. I do think the first act pacing went a bit too fast like the some queen died, Ballister is wanted and meet Nimona. But I do think the pacing did get better for the slower moments. The movie is a bit similar to Wreck-It-Ralph in some ways but without the theme of acceptance, I'll would not say this is a cop-out its that its a bit similar to this movie.
I will say I'm not too impress the fake death trope but at least its done in a funny way. Ballister says "Holy sh-". It's the funniest thing I've seen and you rarely get animated movie to say that.
Final Thoughts: So overall, Nimona is a fun, enduring experience. Good or Nope? You already see this coming by a mile but its good and that movie is the Nominee of the Oscars is really impressive for an Netflix movie because Netflix movies sometimes is kind of garbage (Marmaduke any one) but regardless I think its rightfully earned. I mean Disney's Wish gets nothing, in fact Disney gets nothing! I don't count Elemental because I considered Pixar its own thing.
Is it the best Blue Sky movie? Sadly no (though its very close), I still think The Peanuts Movie is the best but still its one of their better films and I would recommend it!
Final Ranking:
1. Snoopy and Charlie Brown : The Peanuts Movie
2. Nimona
3. Rio
4. Ice Age 3 : Dawn of the Dinosaurs
5. Robots
6. Ice Age 2 : The Meltdown
7. Ice Age
8. Spies In Disguise
9. Ice Age 4 : Continental Drift
10. Ferdinand
11. Horton Hears A Who!
12. Epic
13. Ice Age 5 : Collision Course
14. Rio 2
To Blue Sky Studios: Its incredible that I get to spend my time on watching their filmography. I can't say I missed them too much but I do think this studio deserves better and its a real shame that their movies don't get a lot of attention, credit and Nominees from their big competitors . So that's it. I've done it! But what's next on my list?
If you are reading this and this far, I've really apricated if you'll been reading what I've had to say and I hope its inspiration for you if its been a critic or other things.
Hope for the better
R.I.P Blue Sky Studios
1987 - 2021
You shape up my childhood
Thanks all and that's everything I got to say! (Pretty touchy moment there)