Il était une fois la forêt

I may be 23 years old, but as an animation enthusiast I could not resist watching this animated movie from a time of Disney monopoly on animated features.

I liked most of the movie, the background animation was beautiful, the voice acting was well done and the ending offered a heart-warming pay-off of the rather grim set-up.

Our main characters are these four animal kids called furlings of whom one is poisoned by a gas leaked from a crashed truck. The three remaining furlings must then go out on a mission to find some herbs to cure her.

The three furlings are not overly complex characters, but relatable personalities like a confident leader-type, one who is always scared and one who does more than thinks. It's not bad for a kids' film and I did not find them completely one-dimensional, because they learn throughout the movie.

The musical score by James Horner was pleasant and added so much to each scene. The mood was set very well and along with the backgrounds it was beautiful. The songs was a mixed back to me. "Please Wake Up" was a heart-felt and very moving song, but the next song in the movie, "He's Gone/He's Back, was an odd song sung by characters I really don't know who is. It just seemed to come out of nowhere and slow the pace down.

That was my only complaint about it, and therefore I have saved my favorite part for last. Once Upon a Forest has a very quick but one of the best twists on how Man is portrayed. I won't spoil it, but it was a delight to watch.

A good kids' movie with a lot of heart. I'll recommend it to any family with kids.