The Secret of Butterflies is an enjoyable, fun-to-watch movie with good animation and voice acting.
This storyline follows an adventurous insect named Ryan (Ryan Bartley) whose wish is to become a butterfly so that he can fly. Ryan hears rumors of a mysterious white spider called Liam who has the magical ability of transforming insects into butterflies and ventures off with his friend on a journey to make his dreams come true only to learn that this devious white spider isn't all that he seems. Ryan and his friends must battle through an army of little bugs to save innocent butterflies and defeat Liam once and for all.
While this film isn't really my cup of tea, it tells a good story and is perfect for younger children. This film was originally made in Iran by Ali Tanhaee, who directed the dubbing for this English version. To his credit, the voice actors fit the characters perfectly. The animation is a highlight of the film; the colors are vibrant when appropriate and the foliage stands out. The characters are quite well illustrated - their eyes stand out, as they are deep and realistic looking. However, they feel a bit rigid and unnatural, and the core designs of the characters are very redundant. While I like the story, at times the dialogue seems unnaturally translated from the original, like when Liam says, "I always love when things happen, especially when I am the one who makes everything happen." What this film lacks in character portrayal, it makes up for in the movements of elements such as fire, wind, and water. My favorite part is the classic moment where good triumphs over evil, and Liam is defeated.
The film's message is to be careful who you trust and don't believe everything you hear. It also reminds us that we are great just the way we are, and don't let your own ambitions cloud your judgment. Note that it contains mild violence and fighting, but nothing too extreme.
I give The Secret of Butterflies 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12. You can find this film on VOD and digital platforms beginning August 5, 2025.
By Ivyjoy C., KIDS FIRST!
