Babar: The Movie

BABAR THE MOVIE:

It's Victory Parade day for Elephantland where everyone comes out to enjoy the days festivities. When the parade is over and the day has ended, King Babar's children ask their father why the parade is called the Victory Parade. Putting his children to bed, King Babar tells them the story of how the parade got it's name. His story begins when he was just a young and new kning of Elephantland, a time when he was just learning the rules of his position. As his royal advisors informed him about the rules to picking a new name for the parade the young girl Celeste comes running into the throne room needing help from the new king. It seems the Rataxes has attacked her home and the evil rhinos where running amuck. But with the rules and the long delays that it would take to send an army to help the town, King Babar decides to sneak off to help Celeste without the aid of an army.

THE LAND OF ELEPHANTS:

Babar: The Movie came out in 1989, which is kind of amazing that it's now getting a DVD release, where the movie is about how King Babar saved a village and named the Victory Parade. Over the years I've seen commericals and some clips of the character and cartoon but I've never actually watched Babar. With having this movie my first experience into the world of Babar I found myself liking this animation made for young kids. The movie has a simple and to the point plot of having the good vs. evil, that is King Babar going up against the Rataxes, to help save the weaker people of the village. Babar is just starting his days as the king of Elephantland so has a lot to learn, one lesson involves him learning how slow the beuracratic process takes but we learn that Babar will help regardless of the wait.

This is a good animation for kids, it has everything they need to keep them focused on the movie and keep them happy. There's singing, a lot of singing, there's wild and crazy animals that are walking around in clothes and talking, and oh did I mention that there is singing and music. When the movie first starts it's during the Victory Parade and it's almost like I was there watching because it lasts for a few minutes as the music and parade of elephants go by. Though I wasn't bored with it nor did I think it was too long. In fact I found it quite amusing on how the elephants where shown using their trunks as hands and instruments instead of making them use their feet. They use them to write with, hold things, and even one of the kids used it like a thumb to suck on.

This is a kids movie and they will love it and parents will love it because of how it will please their kids. It’s story is easy to follow, it has a good nature to it, the animals are fun to watch, and there are the songs that kids can sing along with. Though for the most part the movie is good natured with positive messages there are some scenes that might be a little violent as Babar goes to fight the Rataxes. I would say the only real downside to this movie is that it is old so the graphics and drawings are old. The animation is a little flat, the colors aren’t that bright, and there’s not that much detail but considering that this movie was made in 1989 it’s held out quite well. Not that the look will matter much to the core audience because they are kids and this will appeal to them no matter what and even as an adult it was still an entertaining movie.