Review | Smallfoot is heartfelt, with clever laughs, interesting ideas.
A yeti named Migo is convinced that a human known only as “Small Foot” is real and has to prove to his tribe that it does exist with the help of Meechee and the S.E.S (Smallfoot Evidentiary Society). Kids First! Film Critic Benjamin P. comments, “Smallfoot is a heartfelt animated film with several clever laughs and some interesting ideas at play.” Izzy C. adds, “There are so many creative little things like that throughout the whole movie, which really held my attention. The music soundtrack is awesome! I’ve already downloaded it. The music is one of the best parts of the movie.” See their full reviews below:
Smallfoot is a heartfelt animated film with several clever laughs and some interesting ideas at play. This film follows Migo, a Yeti, who lives in a village full of them high atop a mountain amidst the snow. Migo is content with his village’s way of life and their beliefs that are scrawled in stone, until he makes a startling discovery. He encounters a being that proves the existence of the Smallfoot or, as we would call it, a human. This goes against the beliefs of his people and gets him banished from his home. From there, he consults a few Yetis who believe in the existence of the Smallfoot to help him prove to the rest of his village that he saw one.
I really like the character Migo, played by Channing Tatum, and Percy, played by James Corden, a TV host trying to influence a resurgence in his career and the Smallfoot whose existence Migo is trying to prove. These are members of two species who have to learn to communicate and get along because of the situation they’re in. The two characters have very different personalities and motivations that collide and the aftermath of their meeting is part of what makes this film so interesting. Even what you could call Smallfoot’s antagonist has relatable character motivations, as he is just trying to protect those close to him.
I do have problems with the flow of this film’s story. This film’s first act is largely uninspired with too much emphasis on slapstick humor and not enough on story. It feels like a series of comedic antics with some filler between them. The film really finds its Smallfooting in the second and third acts with some fun musical sequences and humorous encounters. Smallfoot also has a striking message about what we consider truth and why we believe what we do.
I recommend Smallfoot for ages 4 to 12 due to some mild bathroom humor and some images that could scare younger children. There is a scene with a bear that could be frightening, although it is played up for laughs. I think adults will also enjoy this film. I give the film 3 out of 5 stars. Go check this out because it’s a smart animated film that has lots of moving parts that all manage to come together to make something fun and adorable. Smallfoot comes out in theaters on September 28, 2018.
— Benjamin P., Kids First! Film Critic, Age 13
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Smallfoot is a really good animated movie with really fun characters and some amazing songs. I might even call it a musical.
The story of Smallfoot is told by the many scenes and lots of songs. There’s a Yeti named Migo (Channing Tatum), who is sweet and nice, but he gets kicked out of his village by the leader, The Stonekeeper (Common). Migo is banished because he told the Yeti village that he saw a monster called a “Smallfoot.” As you might guess, a “Smallfoot” is just a human. Yetis believe that humans are fairytale creatures, but Migo saw one in real life. Nobody believes that Migo had a Smallfoot sighting.
Migo really did see a Smallfoot and the movie follows him trying to prove himself. At the same time, it shows the story of the Smallfoot, whose name is Percy (James Corden). Percy is a TV Host who needs a big story to save his show from being canceled.
I love the scenery in this film, because it is all snowy. The story takes place in the Himalayas. I found the story interesting because it takes place way up in the mountains where old fables are told. I like the silly beliefs that the Yetis have such as believing the sun is a giant snail and that memories hold up mountains. There are so many creative little things like that throughout the whole movie, which really held my attention. The music soundtrack is awesome! I’ve already downloaded it. The music is one of the best parts of the movie.
This film is for everybody, especially kids like me who are really into adventure. I recommend it for ages 5 to 18, as well as adults. I think parents will like it. It has some really funny humor and is like a musical comedy delight. Smallfoot opens in theaters September 28, 2018 so, look for it.
— Izzy C., Kids First! Film Critic, age 10
